For home buyers who love mountain settings and wintertime sports, it doesn’t get much better than living in the French Alps. And when it’s time to warm up, whether for the evening or as the season changes, you won’t be wondering what to do, thanks to the area’s premier shopping, dining and nightlife, along with hiking, golfing, ziplining and water sports. When it comes to property for sale in Courchevel, there are genuine ski chalets as well as new-build luxury apartments, plus modern homes that combine traditional materials with contemporary design and amenities, offering the best of both worlds.
Where is Courchevel?
Set in the French Alps, Courchevel is part of the world-renowned Les Trois Vallées ski range, which has 600 kilometres of slopes across more than 1,400 square kilometres. Several distinct villages make their home in Courchevel, each with its own personality and features.
What Makes Courchevel So Popular?
Of course, Courchevel is most popular with winter sports enthusiasts, who adore the area for its numerous wide and well-maintained pistes. The highest village in the area, 1850, sometimes referred to simply as “Courchevel,” has a notably enormous ski area. If you stay through the spring and summer, though, there won’t be a lack of outdoor adventures to keep you active, even when snowfall isn’t possible.
Courchevel’s Michelin-starred restaurants make it the prime destination in the French Alps for foodies, too, and after a day of skiing, you’ll be more than ready to indulge in a gourmet meal. You’re also never far from fresh-baked croissants, decadent cheese and locally-sourced wine to suit your epicurean fancies.
Another reason why Courchevel is beloved is that it’s easy to get to, especially considering the altiport in 1850, where helicopter transfers to and from the airport and other resorts take place. Fittingly, 1850 is also where you’ll go for designer shopping from high-end brands. For nightlife, though, you want the village of 1650, also called Moriond, which has a laidback atmosphere and lots of bars and restaurants to frequent.
Do you have a group of all ages? Families will prefer either 1550 (Courchevel Village) or 1400 (La Tania), as both villages have peaceful, kid-friendly settings and large accommodations to fit everyone. And for the most authentic experience possible, consider 1300 (Le Praz), a traditional alpine village with wooden chalets and enough altitude to still get enough snow.
Types of Properties Available in Courchevel
Courchevel is best known for its luxury ski chalets, particularly for buyers in the market for a second home. However, there’s plenty to do in the French Alps year-round, so you may want to stay in your chalet for longer than a holiday or season. Either way, your home is bound to have views of the towering mountains from sun-drenched terraces, rustic features that complement the setting, enormous windows to take in the scenery, a fireplace for those extra-chilly evenings and plenty of bedrooms to suit your family or guests (or both!).
Ski-in/ski-out property for sale in Courchevel presents the easiest access to the slopes, a must for skiers and snowboarders — or buyers who want to rent their home out during the peak season. These homes also boast high-calibre amenities like cinemas, fully-outfitted fitness centres, indoor swimming pools, Jacuzzis, saunas, ski lockers and wine cellars, plus lifts to make getting around hassle-free.
Certain buyers may also find a luxury apartment appealing, especially if they’ll only be in the French Alps for a few weeks a year. In addition to providing great rental opportunities, apartments often have premium services – you may have a spa and restaurant right on the property, access to a 24/7 concierge and even management options so that your holiday home is taken care of when you’re abroad. That way, you’ll be able to leave for a few weeks or rent your apartment out with peace of mind.
Overview of How to Buy Property for Sale in Courchevel
Since Courchevel has so many different villages, each with its own character, it’s best to hire a property buyers agent when searching for a home to buy. Your agent will know the ins and outs of the area, including the lifestyle you can expect from each village. Plus, they may have access to unlisted properties that you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise.
Once you’ve found property for sale in Courchevel that you’d like to buy, you’ll put your offer in writing, which will be presented to the seller. If the seller accepts the offer, both parties will sign the Compromis de Vente, which is the initial contract. While this contract will include the current details of the sale, those specifics may change during the process, which will be reflected in the deed. You’ll also put the deposit down at this point.
Next, you’ll wait through the mandatory 10-day cooling-off period. During this time, you can pull out of the purchase without having to pay any penalties or losing your deposit. Once that period is over, should you decide to move forward, the conveyancing process will begin. Over about 12 weeks, various home assessments will take place. This will give you a better idea of the state of the home, and you may opt to negotiate with the seller regarding repairs or renovations before the deed is written up.
Once all of the details have been finalised, the notaire will draw up the deed, called the Acte de Vente. You’ll sign the deed and make the final payment to cover the balance of the property and associated fees. At this point, you’re officially the owner of your new Courchevel home. Congratulations!
HOMEHUNTS property agents are able to select beautiful, luxury property for sale in Courchevel based on your specific search criteria. Search the HOMEHUNTS website and browse our selection of luxury homes. You can also speak directly to one of our property consultants by calling +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
