Alpine Real Estate Property Finder
Considering buying property in the French Alps?
We specialise in assisting overseas clients to find, purchase and manage properties in the dynamic, picturesque Rhône Alpes region.
We can source the best real estate for sale: from alpine ski chalets to lake houses to city apartments, new build, off plan and leaseback.
Whether looking for a holiday home, relocation or investment, we offer a free personalised search and services from pre-sale to completion and from portfolio and letting agent management to building and maintenance. For more information, please contact us.
French Alps
Situated at the crossroads of Europe with excellent transport links to the rest of the continent and beyond, this diverse prosperous economic area, with its stunning landscape, culture and world renowned leisure facilities is attracting inward investment worldwide.
This is a prosperous economic area. Unemployment is below the national average. It has a very good infrastructure and is regarded as one of the most dynamic and diverse regions in France. There are many established and emerging high tech companies and research centres attracting qualified and specialised employees. The service industries catering for this economic growth have also increased significantly in recent years. Demographically the area attracts many young entrepreneurs, almost a third of the population is under the age of 24. In the Savoie and Haute Savoie tourism is still the largest employer, followed by industry and then agriculture which still plays an important role.
Rhône-Alpes in south-eastern France has extraordinary natural beauty. Its diversity of landscape extends from the lakes and rivers nestled in the valleys, across the foothills and mountain ranges with their pastures and forests to the magnificent snow covered peaks. To protect this environment there are numerous nature reserves, national and regional parks like the Bauges between Chambéry and Annecy, Chartreuse between Chambéry and Grenoble and the Vanoise which is bordered by many popular ski resorts such as Courchevel, La Plagne, Meribel and Val d'Isère. The seasons are distinct, from spectacular autumn colors, romantic winter landscapes to an explosion of life in spring. The region has a variety of climatic conditions due to the range of altitude. At lower levels the summers, influenced by Mediterranean air, are generally hot. At higher altitude, summer temperatures moderate and in winter snow is the predominant feature. The higher peaks of the Alps rise to over 4,000m and are snow-covered throughout the year. Apart from being a popular winter sports destination the region is also favoured year round for other leisure activities such as sailing, trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking, parachuting etc. There are many historic sites, places of interest and lesser known resorts. The area is also renowned for its traditional wines and cheeses.
Location Summery + Property prices
See the following details in our:
French Alps Guide
Lyon
Department : Rhône
Altitude : 165m
Population 1.5 million (420.000-suburbs)
Postal code : 69001 - 69489
Average square metre price : € 3117
Airport : 15 km
France's lively and modern third city and culinary capital is a major centre for culture and commerce. Its historical areas are well preserved and some are now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The old centre with its narrow cobbled streets lined with colorful apartments buzz with bistros, bars and boutiques. Property prices have soared in recent years, but the market has since slowed down as surrounding areas develop.
Property Prices 2007
Grenoble
Department : Isère
Altitude : 204m
Population : 158.000
Postal code : 38000 - 38100
Average square metre price : € 2868
Airport : Grenoble 45km, Lyon 130km,
Geneva 180km
Capital of the Isère, situated on the Drac and Isére rivers and surrounded by mountains. This is a lively thriving city, home to four universities with more than 35,000 students. It has eleven museums, an exhibition centre and all the modern amenities you would expect. Grenoble Area Guide
Property Prices 2007
Chambéry
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 245m
Population : 56.000
Postal code : 73000 - 73099
Average square metre price : € 2639
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 10km, Geneva 76km, Lyon 112km, Grenoble 71km
The capital of the Savoie, situated in the heart of the Alps, in a valley between the Bauges and the Chartreuse Mountains.
Chambéry has the best transport links in the area, from here you can reach Geneva, Lyon and most parts of the region within an hour. This university town and former seat of the 'dukes of Savoy' has a palatial feel. It has a classy shopping area and very pretty medieval centre with picturesque alleys and faded pink and ochre facades. Chambéry Area Guide
Property Prices 2007
Annecy
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude : 449m
Population : 52.100
Postal code : 74000 - 74059
Average square metre price : € 3671
Airport : Geneva 50km, Lyon 130km,
Chambéry/Aix 50km
Capital of the Haute-Savoie. This pretty university town on the north shore of Lake Annecy attracts many tourists and has a reputation for culture. Primarily its a Commercial centre, but its inhabitants take great pride in keeping their 'Venice of the Alps'. Annecy Area Guide
Property Prices 2007
Aix-les-Bains
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 320m
Population :26.100
Postal code : 73100 -73009
Average square metre price : € 2796
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 10km, Geneva 76km, Lyon 112km, Grenoble 71km
Marking the beginning of the Alps. Aix-les-Bains is nestled between the Jura and Bauges mountain chains on the eastern shore of Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France.
This chic colourful spa town has a long history dating back to roman times, its main attractions are the spa, casino, exceptional surroundings and largest fresh water port in the country. Aix-les-Bains Area Guide
Property Prices 2007
Albertville
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 345m
Population 18.000
Postal code : 73200 - 73279
Average square metre price : € 1692
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 55km, Geneva 89km
Situated on the Arly river, at the foot of the Beaufortain massive and the beginning of the Vanoise. The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics. Conflans, the pretty medieval part of the town, has buildings dating back to the 14th century. The surrounding area is spectacular and allows for varied outdoor activities. Most major ski resorts are less than an hour from the olympic city. Albertville Area Guide
Property Prices 2007
Ambérieu-en-Bugey
Department : Ain
Altitude ; 210m
Population : 11,930
Postal code : 01500 - 01509
Airport : Lyon 60km
Set in a loop of the Rhône River, the economic centre of the region of Bugey, home to many historic sights, including La croix Rousse, la Basilique de Fourviere and the nearby Château des Allymes, dating from the beginning of the 14th century.
The region is known for its wine, the Bugey VDQS
Property Prices 2007
Bourgoin-Jallieu
Department : Isère
Altitude : 254 m
Population : 23.520
Postal code : 38300 - 38319
Average square metre price : € 2619
Airport : Lyon 35km
50 kilometers southeast of Lyon, at the heart of the 2nd economic region in France.
Commercial centre rather than touristic, the town benefits from its strategic position close to main motorways, airports and rail connections.
Twin town of Luton, United Kingdom since 1950.
Property Prices 2007
Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 803- 3226m
Population : 7610
Postal code : 73700 - 73709
Average square metre price : € 3473
Airport : Grenoble 140km, Geneva 150km
Starting point of the Paradiski skiing area, linked to the ski resorts of Les Arcs by funicular railway. Also a popular summer destination ; The slalom course on the Isère river is used for international canoe and kayak competitions and the surrounding mountains are good for walking and mountain biking.
Property Prices 2007
Cluses
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude 485m
Population : 18,130
Postal code : 74300 - 74315
Average square metre price : € 3311
Airport : Geneva 40km, Lyon 180km
Halfway between lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, a favorite tourist and winter sports destination, near to a number of popular ski slopes. Known for its Alpine setting and its watch-making industry and it also continues to serve as a high-tech centre for precision engineering and design of advanced technical products.
Property Prices 2007
Modane
Department : Savoie
Altitude 1054 m
Population 6.000
Postal code : 73500
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 100km, Turin 100km, Lyon 200km
15 km from the Italian border and 7 km from the small family friendly Valfréjus ski resort which offers skiing and hiking.
The town has good train and road connections to the rest of France and Italy.
Property Prices 2007
Morestel
Department : Isère
Altitude ; 250m
Population : 3180
Postal code : 38510
Airport : Lyon 40km, Chambéry/Aix 50km
Halfway between Lyon and Chambéry, a charming art loving town where concerts and exhibitions are held year-round.
It has an old town centre, a medieval tower and great mountain views.
Property Prices 2007
Moûtiers
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 480
Population : 4300
Postal code : 73600 - 73609
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 80km, Grenoble 110km, Geneva 120km, Lyon 180k
Capital of the Tarentaise valley and start of the Vanoise national park.
Access point to the 3 Vallées ski area and nearby spa-towns 'Brides-les-Bains' and 'Salins les Thermes'. The town's two museums and cathedral offer an insight of the area's rich history.
Property Prices 2007
Nantua
Department : Ain
Altitude : 470
Population : 3950
Postal code : 01130/ 01460
Airport : Geneva 63km, Lyon 92km
Set in a gorge formed by fluvial and glacial erosion on a small lake in a natural setting.
In the town itself there is an Abbey with a renaissance chapel, and the nearby lakes and mountains of the Jura are popular for hiking, fishing and other leisure activities.
Property Prices 2007
Pontcharra
Department : Isère
Altitude : 260m
Population : 6000
Postal code : 38530
Airport : Grenoble 30km, Chambéry 20km
Between Chambéry and Grenoble, on the edge of the Charteuse national park.
A commercial centre with good transport connections, as it lies on the crossroads of Lyon, Turin and Grenoble.
The château Bayard, birthplace of the mystic knight Bayard (1476-1524), is privately owned, but houses a small exhibition.
Property Prices 2007
Seyssel
Department : Ain&Haute Savoie
Altitude : 265
Population : 810 + 1890
Postal code : 01420/ 74910
Airport : Chambéry 30km, Lyon 80km, Grenoble 80km
The town is situated in two departments, which is unique in France; on the right bank of the Rhône River in the department of Ain, and the left bank, in the Haute-Savoie.
Both the old suspension bridge and modern stayed girder bridge are famous, the latter received first prize for the best work of steel construction one year after it opened in 1987.
The surrounding area is one of the oldest wine regions in France, dating back to the 14th century.
Property Prices 2007
St Jean de Maurienne
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 570m
Population 9370
Postal code : 73300 - 73309
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 70km, Lyon 180km (italian border 40km), bus services to nearby ski-stations
Principal town of the Maurienne valley, situated at the confluence of the Arc and the Arvan River. The popular Opinel knife is manufactured here since the 1890s, and has its own museum. The nearby high mountain pass Col de la Croix de Fer has been included in the Tour de France 14 times.
Property Prices 2007
St Julien en Genevois
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude : 450m
Population : 11.000
Postal code : 74160 - 74169
Average square metre price : € 3616
Airport : Geneva : 20km
Border town with Switzerland. The area is surrounded by mountains and known for its lush green countryside.
Its geographical location makes it a wealthy and constantly growing town.
Property Prices 2007
St Laurent du Pont
Department : Isère
Altitude 410m
Population : 4220
Postal code : 38380
Airport : Grenoble 30km Chambéry 30km
In the heart of the Chartreuse National park, with its panoramic views and vineyards is popular for hiking, mountain-biking and horse-riding.
The nearby resort St. pierre de charteuse (alt 900) offers summer as well as winter activities and the monastery de la Grande Chartreuse
is one of the treasures if the Isère department.
Property Prices 2007
Thonon-les-Bains
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude : 435
Population : 32.000
Postal code : 74200 - 74209
Average square metre price : € 2877
Airport : Geneva 35km
Picturesque spa town located on the south shore of Lake Geneva, the largest natural lake in western Europe, perfect for all nautical activities (sailing, surfing, diving...).
At 15 km from Evian-les-Bains, home to the famous Evian mineral water, and It has a ferry service to Lausanne, Switzerland.
Property Prices 2007
Arèches
Area : Beaufortain
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 1050m
Postal code : 73270
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 80km Geneva 90km
A the heart of the Beaufortain massif, 25 km from Albertville with a view of Mont Blanc. 1300 m of varying altitudes with pistes running through forests. The town of Beaufort is famous for its cheese, the herds of cows graze the surrounding mountains.
Also in the Beaufortain area:
Les Contamines
Property Prices 2007
Chamonix
Area : Mont Blanc
Department : Haute Savoie
Altitude : 1035m
Postal code : 74400 - 74409
Average square metre price : € 6044
Airport : Geneva 90km, Turin 170km, Lyon 220km
One of the most popular resorts of the alps with about 5 million visitors a year.
The area is a haven for almost all types of outdoor activity, especially in their more extreme variants (ice climbing, rock climbing, extreme skiing, rafting, canyoning...)
As the highest mountain in alps (4808m), the Mont Blanc is in the summer months a mecca for alpine mountaineers.
Also in the Mont Blanc area :
Megêve
Combloux
Les Houches
Praz de Lys Sommand
Property Prices 2007
La Clusaz
Area : Aravis
Department : Haute Savoie
Altitude 1100m
Postal code : 74220
Airport : Geneva 60km, Lyon 160km
Traditional ski resort in the in the Aravis mountain range near the Swiss border. An old village, La Clusaz has been hosting winter sports since 1907. Its name comes from the word cluse, meaning a narrow path between two mountains. Also offers mountain-biking, fishing and other activities
Also in the Aravis area :
Le grand Bornand
Property Prices 2007
Le Grand Revard
Includes : La Feclaz, le Revard & st François
Area : Bauges
Department : Savoie
Altitude ; 1200m
Postal code :73230
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 30km
One of the very first ski-areas created in France and one of the most popular for cross-country skiing. Second most visited resort in the Savoie department, and conveniently located near the towns of Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains and airport.
Also in the Bauges area :
La Sambuy
Le Margériaz
Le Semnoz
Les Aillons
Property Prices 2007
Les Saisies
Area: Val d'Arly
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 1650m
Postal code : 73620
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 90km Geneva 105km
Family orientated sunny ski-resort between two valleys, offers beautiful mountain scenery and panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Summer activities include mountain walks, horse-riding and paragliding.
Also in the Val d'Arly area :
Crest-Voland Cohennoz
Espace Diamant
Flumet
Notre Dame de Bellecombe
Praz sur Arly
Val d'Arly
Property Prices 2007
Les 3 vallées
Includes : Courchevel, Meribel, la Tania, Brides-les-Bains, les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens, Orelle
Area : Vanoise
Department : Savoie
Altitude :1300 - 2300m
Postal code : 73120 - 73129 (Courchevel & La Tania ), 73550 (Meribel), 73440 (Les Menuires, Val Thorens & St Martin de Belleville), 73570 - 73579 (Brides-les-Bains),
73140 (Orelle)
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 110km Lyon 180km
Les 3 Vallées includes 8 resorts at different altitudes and is the largest linked ski area in the world. It offers a range of landscapes and a diversity of skiing, on all levels. Courchevel's couloirs are renowned as some of the most difficult black runs in the world, while Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe (2300m), and because of its altitude has a very long skiing season.
Also in the Vanoise area :
Champagny en Vanoise
Montchavin les Coches
Paradiski (Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, La Plagne)
Pralognan la Vanoise
Property Prices 2007
Megève
Area : Mont Blanc
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude ; 1113m
Postal code :74120
Average square metre price : € 6308
Airport : Geneva 80km
Known as the classy and glam resort of the french alps, it combines a rustic setting with upmarket shopping and dining. Plenty to do apart from the skiing/snowboarding; there is an ice rink and a sports centre, activities for kids, helicopter- and balloon-trips and more.
Also in the Mont Blanc area :
Chamonix
Combloux
Les Houches
Praz de Lys Sommand
Property Prices 2007
Morzine-Les Portes du Soleil
Area : Chablais
Department : Haute-Savoie
Altitude : 1000
Postal code 74110
Average square metre price : € 3783
Airport : Geneva 75km
Les Portes du Soleil is the biggest internationally linked ski area combining 8 french and 6 swiss resorts, in different styles, both traditional and contemporary.
The french side includes the resorts of les Gets, 'Abondance' and at the heart, the village of Morzine, which combines authentic charm with all modern facilities.
Property Prices 2007
Paradiski
Includes : Les Arcs, La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry
Area : Vanoise
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 1250 -2100m
Postal code : 73700 (les arcs), 73210 (La Plagne & Peisey-Vallandry)
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 100km, Grenoble 150km, Lyon 190km
Modern 'mega-resort' in the Tarentaise valley. This is a vast area of great diversity at high altitude, so skiing is possible until late in the season. The resorts are linked by cable car and have 239 runs, totaling 425 kilometers, as well as 153 km of cross-country trails.
Also in the Vanoise area :
Champagny en Vanoise
Les 3 vallées (Courchevel, Meribel, la Tania, Brides-les-Bains, les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens, Orelle)
Montchavin les Coches
Pralognan la Vanoise
Property Prices 2007
Val d'Isère
Area : Tarantaise
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 1849
Postal code : 73150 - 73159
Average square metre price : € 7988
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 130km Geneva 180km Grenoble 210km
Prestigious, internationally famous resort. Linked to Tignes by first class lift system, forming the extensive 'Espace Killy' ski area.
There is a buzzing après ski scene and great choice of restaurants.
World cup events are held here every year in december, and it will host the world skiing championships in 2009.
Also in the Tarantaise area :
Espace Kelly
Espace San Bernado
la Rosière
Sainte foy en Tarentaise
Tignes
Valmorel
Property Prices 2007
Valloire
Area : Maurienne
Department : Savoie
Altitude : 1430m
Postal code : 73450
Average square metre price : € 4437
Airport : Chambéry/Aix 100km, Grenoble 130km, Geneva 180km
The biggest resort in the Maurienne valley at the foot of the famous Col de Galibier at the border of the Northern and Southern Alps.
The ski area is made up of Le Sétaz, Le Crey and Valmeinier, offering 150km of skiing which cater for all levels of skiers.
Valloire is North-facing and consequently has a particularly good snow record.
Also in the Maurienne area :
Aussois
Bessans Val D'Arc
Bonneval sur Arc
La Norma
La Toussuire
Le Corbier
Les Karellis
Les Sybelles
Saint Sorlin d'Arves
Val Cenis
Valfréjus
Valmeunier
Property Prices 2007
Geneva
Country : Switzerland
Altitude : 373m
Population : 1.5 million (440.000-suburbs)
Airport : 5 km
The chic Swiss city of Geneva isn't currently covered by our property services, but is conveniently situated and well worth a visit.
Its international airport is a great hub with a hundred or so destinations world wide. From the airport the whole region is easily accessible with good transport links either by rail or road.
Property Prices 2007
