10 of the best alpine properties

I'm often asked by our customers: if you had the money to invest, which property would you buy?

Well, here is a list of my current Top Ten alpine properties, with prices ranging from 85,000 euros up to 2.95 million.

Best balcony view:
Studio apartment, St Gervais, 85,000 euros
This attractive apartment has a large and sunny balcony with breathtaking views of St Gervais village, the Mont Blanc range and the Rochers de Fiz.

Best for rental potential:
2-bed apartment, Samoens, 189,000 euros
A real bargain! Benefiting from reduced notaires fees, this two bedroom apartment is in excellent condition. With a good lettings history in place, you can expect to make over 15,000 euros per annum in rental income.

Best for ski-in, ski-out:
2-bed apartment, Morzine, 190,000 euros
Right next to the Nyon cable car, offering direct access to the Morzine / Les Gets ski domain, this great value duplex apartment sleeps up to 6 people.

Best small business opportunity:
8-bed house, Samoens, 540,000 euros
Located close to Samoens, and on the ski-bus route, this property is split into 3 self-contained apartments. There is also potential to renovate another building on site.

Best large family home:
7-bed chalet, St Jean d'Aulps, 750,000 euros
Warm, welcoming and wonderful views! A great family home in the Portes du Soleil that could also be run as a small catered chalet operation.

Best investment opportunity:
12-bed house, Samoens 825,000 euros
This beautiful property (pictured) is only 400m from the Vercland ski lift in Samoens. Divided into 6 two-bed apartments, and with a separate small chalet on the grounds, there are numerous investment opportunities to be explored: seasonal rentals, development and re-sale, conversion back into a family home. Huge potential for the price tag.

Best penthouse apartment:
4-bed apartment, Morzine, 880,000 euros
200m from the Super Morzine lift and a similar distance from the Pleney pistes, this apartment will occupy the entire top floor of a new apartment residence. Completion scheduled for spring / summer 2011; it is still possible to add your own personal touch at this early stage.

Best luxury apartment:
4-bed apartment, St Martin de Belleville, 1.044m euros
This new build apartment offers approximately 120m2 of living space. The design is authentically alpine and there are high quality fixtures and fittings throughout. Only 300m from the ski lifts of the 3 Valleys ski domain.

Best for an extended family:
9-bed house, Annecy, 1.354m euros
A beautiful stone-built alpine farmhouse, renovated to a high standard and offering three separate living spaces: ideal for an extended family, or for running a chambre d'hote business close to Annecy. There is around 600m2 of living space and a swimming pool in the attractive gardens surrounding the property.

Best luxury chalet:
6-bed chalet, Megeve, 2.95m euros
The ultimate in luxury in that most upmarket of alpine ski resorts, Megeve. Recently renovated to an extremely high standard, this property is walking distance from the village centre.

New builds ready for next winter

If you've been enjoying the snow in the mountains this winter, your thoughts may be turning to buying your own alpine property for next season. In addition to our wide selection of resale ski chalets and apartments, we are currently also selling new build developments where you will get the keys in time for Christmas 2010. Here are a few of our favourites:

Hameau des Fes, Morzine

This high quality development is a short distance from the historic centre of Morzine and well placed for reaching a large number of the ski lifts in and around town. There are three 2-bed apartments and two 3-bed apartments still available with prices from 600,000 euros; the construction work is nearing completion and delivery can be arranged for summer 2010.

Passa Franc, Les Gets

Constuction of the Passa Franc development, next to the ski slopes in Les Gets, has now been completed. Two large apartments are still for sale: one is priced at 695,000 euros, the other at 750,000 euros and both have large terraces and balconies with views of the ski pistes and mountains.

Le Champe, Les Gets

In a peaceful location yet only a short walk from the Mont Chery ski lift, this charming small development has been started and will be ready in time for Christmas. In addition to a 1-bed apartment on the first floor, there are two 3-bed apartments with large terraces still for sale on the ground floor.

Le Petit Paradis, Les Contamines

A renovation project rather than a true new build development, Le Petit Paradis will comprise 17 high quality apartments. Prices start at 256,100 euros for a 1-bed apartment with additional bunk bedroom; there are also 2-bed and 3-bed apartments available.

Haute-Tour, St Gervais les Bains

Offering superb value for money and ready now, Haute-Tour is a new build development right in the centre of this beautiful resort town. A limited number of 3-bed, 2-bath apartments remain for sale, priced from 335,000 euros.

Les Chalets du Nant Giraud, St Martin de Belleville

St Martin de Belleville is an authentic alpine village, linked in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. The apartments in this development have been built to the highest possible specification by a well-respected local builder. Two apartments remain: a 2-bed and 4-bed. Delivery of apartments can be arranged 4 months after reservation. Private chalets also available, please call the Ascendant Property team for further information.

St Gervais: ski and spa properties

It may be less well known than its prestigious neighbours, Chamonix and Megeve, but we think that St Gervais is an excellent choice for international property purchasers looking to buy a home in the French Alps. Part of the extensive Evasion Mont Blanc ski domain, St Gervais is also linked to Les Houches and the resorts of the Chamonix Valley by train. The town has its very own thermal baths, open to visitors throughout the year, which offer a range of treatments. The town centre is packed with attractive turn of the century buildings, like the one shown, and there are some great shops, bars and restaurants to explore. Importantly, property prices here are a fraction of those in Chamonix and Megeve and rental potential is excellent in both winter and summer.


Ascendant offers a wide range of apartments and chalets for sale in the St Gervais area. With our network of local contacts we can generally find you the property you are looking for, so why not contact us to find out more about the benefits of buying in St Gervais and to discuss your requirements.


To whet your appetite, here are just a few examples of properties currently for sale through Ascendant:

• A lovely 2-bed apartment in a period building near the centre. The property is full of character with high ceilings and parquet floors.
• A new 2-bed apartment with 3 balconies and stunning mountain views.
• New-build 3-bed apartments in the centre of resort - only two remaining!
• A stylish penthouse apartment in the centre of resort, with over 170m2 of living space.
• A converted mill-house, just outside town, with further renovation potential.
• An adorable alpine chalet, overlooking St Gervais and close to the pistes at St Nicolas, with 6 bedrooms and over 3000m2 of land.

Bargain ski apartments for sale

With the new ski season around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of the great value ski apartments for sale through Ascendant Property.

For those looking for a low maintenance, easy access bolthole in the Alps, we have a number of studio apartments for sale in the Evasion Mont Blanc domain. Prices start at 69,000 euros for a 20m2 apartment near the lifts in Combloux. There is another bargain studio to be had in nearby St Gervais, for sale at 75,000 euros.

If you prefer the convenience of a separate bedroom, we are currently marketing a superb apartment in Les Contamines for 108,000 euros. The property, which has a lovely balcony, is walking distance from the shops, bars and restaurants of this sought-after resort and on the ski bus route to the lifts of Les Contamines and St Gervais / Megeve.

Prices for 2 bedroom apartments tend to start at 200,000 euros in the French Alps but we have a number of options below this level. For example, we are pleased to be able to offer for sale a beautiful apartment in the centre of Samoens for only 199,950 euros. It is close to the Grand Massif Express ski lift and is sold fully furnished with underground parking. Best of all, as it is less than 5 years old, you pay reduced notaires fees on the purchase.

Our best priced 3-bed apartment is found back in St Gervais. Sleeping up to 8 people, this great value duplex property is in the centre of resort and can be snapped up for 200,000 euros.

All these properties are available and if purchased during September (or early October) can be handed over in time for Christmas 2009 and the new ski season. This is just a small selection of the apartments we currently have for sale in the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps. Please contact the Ascendant team to find out more.

Wanted: Property in St Gervais

After a relatively quiet start to the year, the property market in the French Alps is really starting to take off again.

Here at Ascendant, June and July have been extremely busy months for sales, especially in the Evasion Mont Blanc resorts of St Gervais and Les Contamines.

We now urgently need new properties to add to our portfolio, for serious international buyers keen to complete their purchase in time for the 2009/2010 winter season. We are looking for good quality one, two, three and four bedroom apartments in St Gervais and Les Contamines as well as chalets close to the resort centres and ski lifts.

If you are thinking of selling an apartment or chalet in the Alps, please contact us for more information about how Ascendant can help. Ascendant is a fully-registered French estate agency, based in the Alps and managed by a bilingual British team. We have a large database of serious clients looking to purchase property throughout the French Alps and our easy-to-navigate website is heavily supported by on-line and press advertising. In addition to our international customer base, our network of selected partners in resort enables us to effectively market your property to the local French purchaser.

Now is the time to buy in the French Alps

Here we look at some of the reasons why now is the ideal time to start your alpine property search with Ascendant.

The best selection of properties
There has never been a better selection of chalets and apartments for sale in the French Alps. In previous years it was almost impossible to find affordable properties on the market near the pistes or ski lifts; nowadays there are many more possibilities although the best examples still sell quickly when priced correctly.

Price negotiation
In recent years, a large number of British residents have purchased permanent or second homes in Alpine resorts such as Chamonix, Morzine, Les Gets and Samoens. Depending on the date of purchase, many of these people will have seen huge growth in the sterling value of their property, simply because of the change in exchange rates. For example, in 2007, a British buyer purchasing a 600,000 EUR chalet would have spent around GBP 400,000. Today, converting that 600,000 EUR back generates over GBP 540,000. Some of our British vendors will benefit from this phenomenon and are therefore more open to negotiation on price.

Cheaper mortgages
Mortgage rates have dropped dramatically and there are some very attractive rates currently available with our French finance partners. Some British purchasers are reducing their exposure to the current exchange rate by taking out a French mortgage to fund their purchase; by doing so they are not required to convert the full amount from pounds to euros straight away.

Rentals potential
Low mortgage rates and high rental occupancy in alpine resorts means it is once again possible to purchase a holiday home which covers its own costs. Resorts like Chamonix, Morzine and St Gervais have excellent rental potential in both winter and summer seasons. It is increasingly possible to purchase resale apartments and chalets with existing rental agreements in place, which means it is possible to start making money almost from Day 1. For instance, we are currently selling a three-bed, two bathroom apartment in St Gervais for 290,000 euros; the apartment has an excellent rentals history with bookings in place for the coming year. New-build leaseback schemes are also worth considering: for the investment purchaser they provide a guaranteed rental income of up to 4.2%, full property management and a VAT rebate on purchase (currently 19.6%).

Long term potential
Investment remains an important factor for many property buyers, especially with share prices deflated and savings rates reduced. Property prices in the French Alps have increased consistently over the last 10 to 20 years, driven by demand from discerning international buyers for alpine chalets and apartments. Prices this year are not expected to grow due to the economic downturn however prospects for continued long term capital growth remain excellent: strict building regulations in this part of the world ensure that supply remains restricted.

Saint Gervais bridge

Exciting news for prospective and existing property owners in Saint Gervais les Bains! In summer 2008 permission was granted for a new bridge to be constructed across the Bonnant gorge; providing direct access between the residences, hotels and businesses of the town centre and the Saint Gervais cable car as well as reducing the amount of traffic passing through the resort centre.

The bridge will span between the entrance to the village on the D902 and the entrance to the ski lift on the D909. As well as two lanes of traffic there will be dedicated cycle lanes and pavements for pedestrians. The major benefit of the project will be to reduce the amount of traffic passing through the resort centre – currently the only direct route to access the ski lift from the A40 motorway and Le Fayet direction. It will also enable vehicles travelling from the Megeve / Sallanches direction to circumnavigate the town centre, reducing traffic and journey times for drivers. Preparatory work has already been carried out and the full scale project is due to commence in September 2009, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2012.

The Saint Gervais council has invested heavily in the revitalisation of the resort centre over the past 7 years and this is one of the reasons why the village has become such a popular destination for property hunters. The village centre has a pretty cobbled square with water feature, lined with grand old apartment residences, cafes, boutiques, hotels and public buildings. Property prices are significantly lower in Saint Gervais than nearby Megeve or Chamonix and capital growth in the resort has been rising at an impressive rate. The new bridge is the next step in the carefully planned development of this beautiful resort, aiming to further improve the quality of life of its residents.

If you are considering buying a ski or summer holiday property in the Saint Gervais area, take a look at our “Buy Property” page. We have a wide range of apartments and chalets and we will be happy to help you locate your dream property.

Winter Olympics 2018

Here at Ascendant Property we're supporting Annecy's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. France has already confirmed that it will be putting forward a candidate city for the 23rd edition of the games and on March 18th this year, the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) will announce the name of that candidate. Annecy faces competing bids from the cities of Nice and Grenoble, plus a rather ambitious entry by the little village of Pelvoux in the Southern Alps, home to just 400 people!

The Annecy bid has a long and growing list of supporters from the sporting, political and commercial communities, all keen to see the Winter Olympics return to its birthplace in Haute-Savoie (Chamonix having hosted the inaugural event in 1924). Even its Swiss neighbour, Geneva, has firmly come out in support of the 2018 Games taking place in Annecy and Haute Savoie. Competition events would be spread out between Annecy and the nearby winter resorts of this area, the largest, most popular ski destination in the world. Many of the resorts are famous names in their own rights. Chamonix, of course, would play an integral part, hosting skiing and ice hockey events in the shadow of Mont Blanc. Morzine-Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil would host many of the downhill skiing competitions; curling would take place in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains; Flaine would be home to snowboarding and the ski jumping and cross-country events would take place in La Clusaz. Annecy itself would host the ice skating and speed skating, plus the Olympic village.

The support for the Annecy Haute-Savoie bid is understandable. The area is exceptionally beautiful and has unrivalled infrastructure (good road and rail links and easy access from Geneva International Airport; modern, extensive winter sports facilities; quality accommodation, restaurants etc.). These are the very same reasons that people from around the world choose to buy property here. Good luck Annecy on the 18th March!

New Year New Site Design

Happy New Year from the Ascendant Property Team!

Just before Christmas we set up this new website layout, giving you better access to the wide range of French Alps Properties we have on offer and also to brighten up the look of the site!

We hope you enjoy, both the new look site and our new property blog.

This new property blog will feature news and views from the Ski and Alpine Property market from Ascendant Property, giving you the chance to see what we've been up to and the latest Property for sale in Chamonix, Annecy, Les Contamines, Morzine, Saint Gervais and Samoens.

Let us know what you think of our new blog and site design by contacting us today!