Major city · France
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
Spend one full day: hike the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval in the morning, see the Rouget waterfall and the Tines' Gorges in the afternoon. Two days if you ski the Grand Massif or want a relaxed pace.
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is a classified 'Most Beautiful Village of France' in the Haute-Savoie Alps, with 9-century-old stone architecture and direct access to the Grand Massif ski area (265 km of trails). In summer, the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval – the largest natural amphitheatre in the Alps – and the 80 m Rouget waterfall are the main draws. The village is small: most visitors come for the day or stay one night in a refuge or gîte.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Mar (skiing)
- avoid Nov (many lifts and refuges closed)
- Airport
- GVA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyStandard Alpine risks: slippery trails, sudden weather changes, and sun exposure at altitude.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGVA Geneva Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car; bus to Cluses then local bus or taxi).
- Getting aroundOn foot within the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (demi / pression)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Samoëns to Sixtcheck€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Cluses to Sixtcheck€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedRefuge dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGîte double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGîte double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GVA Geneva Airport (About 1 h 15 min by car; bus to Cluses then local bus or taxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot within the village. A car or taxi is needed for the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval trailhead (about 4 km from the centre). In winter, ski buses connect to the Grand Massif lifts.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Samoëns
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car or bus (line Y81), about 10 min
Larger village with a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via Cluses and the A40, about 1 h
Mont Blanc views and the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car via the A40, about 1 h 15 min
Lake town with canals and a castle; a full-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre
Gîtes and small hotels; walk to trailheads.
Mountain refuges
Refuge de la Vogealle (68 beds) and others; book ahead in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–150 (≈ US$95–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Grand Massif ski pass, one day2 × €55 · check | €110 |
| Parking at Cirque trailhead1 × €5 · check | €5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €44 |
| Trip total≈ €240 per person per day, bed included | €479≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ski passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €14–18 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Beer (demi / pression) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi from Samoëns to Sixtcheck | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
| Bus from Cluses to Sixtcheck | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trail conditions change with weather; check at the tourist office before long hikes.
- Parking at the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval fills by 10:00 in July and August.Parking at the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval fills by 10:00 AM in July and August.
- Mountain refuges require cash payment; no ATM in the village (nearest in Samoëns, 8 km (5 mi)).Mountain refuges require cash payment; no ATM in the village (nearest in Samoëns, 5 mi (8 km)).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Sixt-Fer-à-ChevalSixt-Fer-à-Cheval
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The nearest consulates are in Geneva (Switzerland). For non-EU nationals, the French embassy in your home country handles visas.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Geneva Airport → Sixt (car): about €80–100 (≈ US$95–120) taxi, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Cluses → Sixt (bus): about €2–3 (≈ US$3–4), 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est le sentier ? — Where is the trail? (oo ay luh sahn-tyay)
- Je voudrais payer par carte — I would like to pay by card (zhuh voo-dray pay-yay par kart)
- Au secours ! — Help! (oh skoor)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Mar (skiing) · avoid Nov (many lifts and refuges closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, Cascade du Rouget, Tines' Gorges and the Grand Massif ski area.
- Eat pages with seasonal opening hours and last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Geneva Airport and Cluses station.
Sources
Ask about Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
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