74
T
HE LATEST EDITION OF
our quarterly Alpine
Property Price Index
shows that prices have
stabilised and sales to
international buyers are booming again.
The combination of low
prices, cheap financing and
a weak euro has meant that
our team of almost 30 agents
across the Alps have been very
busy over the last 12 months.
Buyers have come from the UK,
USA and Canada, Europe and
Asia. Each nationality tends to
favour different resorts, which
shows how each resort has a
hugely different look and feel.
It's clear too that the RhôneAlpes isn't just about skiing.
Our buyers are also coming to
enjoy the range of other sports
and outdoor activities on offer.
They're also beginning to understand
that Lyon is a credible
alternative to Paris. It has a rich
history, a beautiful city centre,
and an excellent reputation for
business - particularly banking
and biotech - and education. It
also boasts a selection of top
quality restaurants and is often
referred to as the gastronomic
capital of the world.
Many people don't realise
that Lyon is a UNESCO world
heritage site, or that the Musée
des Beaux Arts has a superb
collection of art including works
by Picasso, Van Gogh, Rembrandt
and Tintoretto.
The French Alps offer the finest slopes in the world
and a unique year-round appeal that attracts tourists
and investors alike
Property here can make
an excellent investment and it
seems that the smart money
has just discovered this. The
Notaires de France tell us that
the average property price in
the sector around Lyon is a
smidgen over €294,000 so it
needn't break the bank either.
There are eight départements
in the Rhône-Alpes - too
many for me to cover in such a
short article. You'll find prime
property prices in and around
the buzzing metropolises of
Lyon, Annecy, Chambery and
Grenoble. Buy something within
striking distance of Geneva
airport and you'll also find that
you're paying a premium.
In terms of the départeFrench
Alps