In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · France
Praz de Lys-Sommand
Go for 2–3 days in winter for skiing or in summer for hiking; a day trip from Annecy or Geneva is too rushed.
Praz de Lys-Sommand is a small, family-friendly ski resort in Haute-Savoie, sitting between 1500 and 2000 m. In winter it offers more than 60 alpine pistes and 60 km of Nordic trails; in summer the same slopes become hiking paths to peaks like Le Marcelly. Most visitors come for a long weekend or a midweek break from Geneva or Annecy.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Winter (check opening dates), Jun–Sep (hiking)
- Avoid
- Apr–May and Oct–Nov (check seasonal access)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €60–90 excl. bed · Mid €90–150 excl. bed · High €150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 18 · European emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Menu du jour (lunch) | €15–20 |
| Beer (demi) | €4–6 |
| Ski pass (one day, adult) | €18 (check) |
| Taxi from Taninges to Praz de Lys | €25–35 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GVA · Geneva Airport
- About 1 h 15 min by car; bus services via Taninges or Mieussy, check schedules.
Typical fares
- Geneva Airport → Praz de Lys (car)
- about 1 h 15 min, tolls about €5
- Taninges → Praz de Lys (taxi)
- €25–35, about 15 min
- Ski pass (one day, adult)
- €18 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is easiest; the resort is spread across two villages. In winter a free shuttle may run between Praz de Lys and Sommand (check). Walking between the two takes about 30 min on a path (check).
See and do
Known for
- Alpine and Nordic skiing
- Family-friendly slopes
- Summer hiking to Le Marcelly
- Chez Jean de la Pipe restaurant
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chamonix | Car via Cluses and the A40, about 1 h (check) | About 1 h (check) |
| Annecy | Car via Bonneville, about 1 h 15 min (check) | About 1 h 15 min (check) |
| Geneva | Car via Taninges and Annemasse, about 1 h 15 min (check) | About 1 h 15 min (check) |
| Megève | Car via Sallanches, about 45 min (check) | About 45 min (check) |
| Morzine | Car via Taninges and the Col de Joux Plane, about 40 min (check) | About 40 min (check) |
Sleep
- Praz de Lys village
- Ski-in/ski-out chalets and apartments; quiet at night.
- Sommand
- Higher up, closer to Nordic trails; fewer shops.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbohn-zhoor |
| Thank you | Mercimair-see |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?kom-byen sa koot |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ?zhuh puh pay-yay par kart |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ?oo son lay twah-let |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Check lift and trail opening dates – they vary year to year.
- Book accommodation early for school holidays (February, Christmas).
- The road from Taninges can be icy in winter; snow chains may be required.
A quiet, family-oriented resort. The main risks are icy roads in winter and sunburn at altitude; carry chains and sunscreen.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Praz de Lys-Sommand yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Alpine and Nordic skiing
- Family-friendly slopes
- Summer hiking to Le Marcelly
- Chez Jean de la Pipe restaurant
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Praz de Lys-Sommand official website: www.prazdelys-sommand.com/
- Wikivoyage: Praz de Lys-Sommand, revision 5307254 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5307254
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Praz de Lys-Sommand
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US has an embassy in Paris and a consulate in Lyon; most other countries have embassies in Paris.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/praz-de-lys-sommand). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.