Walking itinerary: the village of Vallon and the Giffre dykes

This chapel was built in 1636 by Joseph de Gex, Baron de Saint-Christophe, Lord of Vallon, and the local councilors.It is one of the oldest chapels in Samoëns, in the Haute-Savoie region, which has not been altered due to destruction. With its Baroque influence, it is one of the nine chapels present in each of the nine hamlets of Samoëns. The building in the hamlet of Des Vallons was founded on 24th August 1636 and is dedicated to Saint Jacques, Saint Philibert, and Saint Joseph. It was built in recognition of their protection during a plague epidemic in 1630: "...Desiring to accomplish and carry out the devotion by the princess in December of 1630, during which time it rained divine mercy on the people of the present place and Samoëns' command of the plague scourge and contamination...". What if the saints had drawn a mud stream on them to protect the village? In 1831, an event marked the history of the building: a mud stream tumbled down the slope of the Criou. It brought the snow to the height of the chapel bell tower, remaining there until 15 August of the same year. The painting above the altar in the chapel is another historical testimony. It is a work by Joseph Rabiato, painted in 1765. This painting, painted by the renowned portraitist of the bourgeoisie of central Valais, represents the votive saints of the chapel, placed under the name of Saints James, Philip, and Joseph. It has recently been removed from the altar in order to benefit from a well-deserved restoration. Discover the hamlet and its chapel, as well as the eight others and the multitude of riches they contain, is possible. There are several well-signposted partial circuits allowing you to discover these treasures of the Haut-Giffre Valley. Guided tours are also organized in winter and summer, giving visitors the opportunity to admire, for example, the La Jaÿsinia botanical garden or the other chapels in one of Samoëns's hamlets.

The Giffre is an outstanding mountain river. It crosses Samoëns and allows all water-related activities.At the bottom of the valley, the Giffre river imperturbably unfolds its meanders of pebbles and gravel. A mountain torrent fed by the innumerable waterfalls of the Bout du Monde and Fer-à-Cheval, the Giffre becomes narrow and deep in the Tines gorges to let itself be won over by its desire for width further downstream in the Vallon plain. There, its banks and its pebble and sand beaches give free rein to water games, ephemeral dams and invigorating bathing. Lovers of rafting, kayaking and hydrospeed can enjoy themselves to the fullest. The Giffre does not stop at such a good bed and feeds both bodies of water at the leisure base. A vast and quiet area where you can fish for trout, try your hand at water golf or try your hand at the accro-branche course.

This very easy route provides a peaceful walk on the vast Vallon plain.Distance: 7 km (return trip) Starting point: Tourist Office Particular difficulties: none Guide reference: Upper Giffre valley mountain biking guide