Description
The ecomuseum farm of Clos Parchet in Samoëns is an old traditional farm. It displays a considerable collection of antique utensils. Above all, it illustrates daily life on the adrets of Samoëns.
Born of a desire to revive a traditional farmhouse dating back to 1815, the Clos Parchet Ecomuseum opened its doors in 1994.
It welcomes the public for guided tours led by the Savoie Mont Blanc Heritage Guides. A visit to the ecomuseum offers a chance to discover the story of a Giffre Valley family through an authentic farmhouse. It houses the entire collection assembled by its founders, Pierre and Simone Dechavassine. Savoie Mont Blanc Heritage Guides Aurélie, Nora, and Suzanne conduct the museum tours and educational activities.
The farmhouse is listed as a Historic Monument. The building has changed little since the 19th century.
The main section offers a glimpse into life in that era, featuring the kitchen (*cozna*), the main living room (*pèle*), the stable, and the barn, as well as outbuildings such as the bread oven, granary, and storage shed.
An inventoried collection of over 2,000 implements illustrates agricultural work and traditional trades—specifically those characteristic of the Upper Giffre Valley and the Haute-Savoie region, including agro-pastoralism, traditional farming, and woodworking and stonemasonry.
Reflecting the seasonal migration of families between altitudes, the farmhouse is situated at an elevation of 1,000 meters on the sunny south-facing slope (*adret*) of Samoëns. Visiting it today offers a journey back in time—an immersive experience that reveals the daily lives of the mountain inhabitants of the past.
Bring warm clothing.
Registration at the Tourist Office.
Closed in winter.
