Samoëns is one of the more civilised bases in the French Alps: an old stone village in the Giffre valley, with proper shops, a handsome square, and mountains close enough to dominate every street end. It has ski access to the Grand Massif in winter, but it does not feel like a purpose-built resort. That is the charm.
The village was historically known for its stonecutters, and the centre still has a sturdier, older feel than many alpine towns. The Jaÿsinia Alpine Botanical Garden climbs the slope just above the houses, and the valley road continues east to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, where cliffs and waterfalls take over completely.
Use Samoëns if you want mountains without giving up village life. In winter it works for skiing; in summer it is better still, with hikes to lakes, refuges, and limestone cirques. Geneva is close enough for a long weekend, but the mood is much quieter once you are in the valley.