Day trips from Les Carroz d'Arâches: our five favourites

Les Carroz d'Arâches has one asset guests often underestimate: its location. At 1,140 m, the village sits 15 minutes from junction 19 of the A40 — the motorway linking Geneva to the Mont Blanc tunnel. In practice, a large slice of Haute-Savoie fits into a single day from the Lodge, and you still sleep in your own bed at night.

Here are the five escapes we recommend most often, from the closest to the furthest.

1. The Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, Sixt (45 min to 1 hr)

This is the nature outing par excellence, and it works with children. The Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval lies 6 km beyond the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, inside the Sixt-Passy nature reserve, the largest in Haute-Savoie. Expect a limestone amphitheatre several kilometres wide, some thirty waterfalls in spring and early summer, and an almost flat path along the Giffre river that suits pushchairs as much as tired legs.

Two practical points before you set off: parking is chargeable from May to September (around €5 per vehicle), and since 2026 access to the site can be closed when weather warnings are in force (storms, heavy rain, flooding). A quick look at the Météo-France Haute-Savoie bulletin saves a wasted drive.

One for the skiers: this is the same cirque you look down on in winter from the Piste des Cascades, the 14 km blue run dropping from Flaine — one of the Grand Massif's signature descents.

2. Samoëns, a village of character (20 min)

On the way to Sixt, Samoëns is worth a stop. It is one of the five Grand Massif resorts, but above all a genuine Savoyard village, with its shaded square, its stonemasons' houses and the Jaÿsinia alpine botanical garden terraced above the centre, which gathers mountain plants from around the world. Perfect for a relaxed half-day, market and café terrace included.

3. Chamonix and Mont Blanc (about 1 hr)

An hour of motorway takes you into the Chamonix valley. The classic remains the Aiguille du Midi cable car, climbing to 3,842 m opposite Mont Blanc, followed by the Montenvers train up to the Mer de Glace. Book your time slot online: in August the morning departures go quickly. Leave early — the drive back on the A40 is straightforward.

4. Annecy and its lake (about 1 hr)

A complete change of scene: canals, a colourful old town, the Palais de l'Isle and one of the purest lakes in Europe. Go to wander, hire an electric boat or swim. If you would rather stay closer and quieter, our swimming spots around Les Carroz are 15 to 25 minutes away.

5. Geneva (50 min)

The region's big city is 50 minutes away: the Jet d'Eau, the old town, excellent museums — and an airport 45 minutes from the Lodge for friends joining you mid-week. Remember the Swiss motorway vignette if you plan to stay on the fast roads across the border.

Practical tips from the Lodge

• Leave before 9 am in July and August: the Chamonix and Annecy valleys fill up fast, and parking becomes the real challenge.
• Your car stays dry: the Lodge has a private covered parking space with a Green'Up socket for electric vehicles.
• Keep one day at home: after two excursions, a hike straight from Les Carroz and an evening on the south-facing terrace do a world of good.
• The Nordic bath afterwards: still the best known cure for a day of driving followed by 12 km on foot.