If you are looking to buy property in the French Alps, these are four of the most sought-after locations
Around 55 million visitors choose to visit the French Alps and lakes for their holidays every year. Generally offering good snowfall and a long ski season, property owners are able to fulfil their holiday expectations here, as well as accrue high rental yields the rest of the year.
With summer holidays in the Alps a growth market, buyers are currently keen to invest in year-round holidays and second income opportunities. As well as the famous ski resorts, there is a large variety of destinations offering all sorts of adventures, whether you are looking to hike, mountain bike, ski, snowboard, indulge in waterspouts or just breathe the mountain air, there is something for everyone in the French Alps.
The most coveted resorts in which to buy property in the French Alps
According to Home Hunts these four areas have been amongst the most sought after by buyers looking for prime property in the French Alps – Morzine and Les Gets; Chamonix and Megève; Evian les Bains; and Annecy. If you want to know why people choose to buy property in the French Alps, we have six good reasons here
Morzine and Les Gets
Morzine and Les Gets – part of the Portes du Soleil which comprises thirteen resorts – offer excellent facilities and skiing opportunities. Morzine is the largest town in the area and a good prospect for those wishing to buy property in the French Alps as better value deals are available here than in resorts such as Chamonix. It is also renowned for being an excellent destination for families.
Les Gets usually has good snow cover and has pistes converging at the centre of the village from both sides of the valley. The resort boasts phenomenal mountain biking trails, a lake and an 18-hole high altitude golf course. It is also just 30 minutes from Lake Geneva for sailing and water sports.
“Demand seems to be increasing at a faster rate here than other areas, which, when prices are due to rise, makes buying here a savvy investment for the future,” says Francois-Xavier de Vial, Home Hunts co-founder.
Chamonix and Megève
Chamonix has one of the longest skiing seasons in the Alps because of its altitude at over 2,000m. It is home to Europe’s highest cable car, the Aiguille de Midi, which is known for its glass observation box, the Skywalk. A unique experience, here visitors can experience 360° panoramas of the Mont-Blanc massif.
“We get a lot of investors looking to buy in this area as well as holiday home owners because the rental market is very strong,” says M. De Vial “The market has recovered extremely well and prices are increasing to same level they were at before the financial crisis.”
Megève, which is located around an hour from Geneva airport, has three main ski zones: Rochebrune, Mont d’Arbois and Le Jaillet. It offers 230 square miles of ski terrain and hosts several prestigious ski schools.
“A few changes have brought more skiers and buyers into Megève,” says Francois-Xavier. “For example, a €100 million investment in the resort’s lift system means it can now compete with Courchevel 1850.”
Evian les Bains
A popular holiday resort and spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva, Evian les Bains is just twenty minutes away from ski resorts of Bernex and Thollon les Mémises. Buyers looking for a solid investment property in the French Alps will not be disappointed as purchasing here can make an excellent year-round rental prospect – especially as the Portes du Soleil can be reached in just 40 minutes.
“Properties by Lake Geneva are always in high demand,” says Tim Swannie, co-founder of Home Hunts. “Clients that buy here usually do so because they want to be in peaceful surroundings, yet close to the city, and able to ski whenever desired.”
Annecy
Annecy is positioned at north of Lake Annecy around 45 minutes from Geneva. A popular destination for skiers, it is just 35km from the Alpine resorts of La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt, known as the Lake Annecy Ski Resorts.
“Annecy has a large expat community which continues to grow, making it even more attractive to our overseas buyers looking for property in the French Alps,” says Tim. “Prices here are also far less than in some of the prime ski Alpine resorts, so clients get more for their money.”
If you are looking to buy property in the French Alps, visit Home Hunts’ impressive portfolio at www.home-hunts.com. To speak with a Home Hunts consultant directly about your specific real estate requirements call +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
