Top locations in the French Alps: ski resorts and vacation spots

The Alpine region of France is world famous for its first-class ski resorts, breathtaking landscapes, Savoyard architecture of mountain chalets and traditional French cuisine. The region has been and remains a favourite vacation destination for representatives of the European aristocracy and bohemians, world celebrities and businessmen, who are attracted to local resorts not only by ski slopes, but also by a rich cultural leisure programme.

Source: Meilleurs Agents

The main Alpine resorts of France are located in the departments of Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, which in the past were the independent Duchy of Savoy. Representatives of its ruling dynasty also are founders of the royal house of Italy. The region is distinguished by its original culture, rich historical heritage and numerous nature reserves.

Les Trois Vallées

Les Trois Vallées is one of the largest ski resorts in Europe, uniting seven famous Alpine resorts with a network of lifts and ski slopes: Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, La Tania, Brides and Orelle. After ascending to the top on the gondola of one of the resorts, you can continue the descent on the other, using one ski pass. In total, the entire complex has 600 km of ski trails. Les Trois Vallées can be reached from the international airports of Lyon, Geneva and Grenoble by car in 1.5 hours, as well as by direct train from Paris, Lyon, London, Amsterdam and Brussels.

The resorts of Les Trois Vallées are distinguished not only by high-quality sports infrastructure, but also by cultural recreation options. On the territory of the resorts there are 10 Michelin-starred restaurants, showrooms of famous world brands and SPA complexes. Not far from the resorts is the oldest national natural park of France Vanoise, which together with the neighbouring national park Grand Paradiso makes up the largest protected natural area in Western Europe.

Courchevel

Courchevel is a world-renowned resort, a benchmark in the field of winter skiing and a popular destination among the world’s elite. Its slopes are visited by the royal families of Great Britain and Saudi Arabia, as well as many stars of the world cinema and fashion industry.

The resort was constructed during the «second wave» of the popularity of skiing in Europe (in the 50s of the XX century), which was widely reflected in popular culture around the world. In 1992, Courchevel held part of the competitions of the XVI Winter Olympic Games, and in 2023 — the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

The resort is popular to visit both in winter and summer. In addition to access to the slopes of the largest ski complex in Europe, the resort has an indoor Olympic skating rink, a cinema, and a golf course. In summer, it is possible to take to the sky in balloons over the Alps, take a few lessons of flying a small-sized plane, take cooking courses from Michelin-starred restaurants, and also enjoy the Alpine landscapes in the Vanoise Nature Park.

Property prices in Courchevel start from 12,724 euros per square metre for apartments and from 21,365 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.2 euros per square metre.

Méribel

The resort of Méribel is located to the west of Courchevel. The construction of ski slopes began here in 1938, in the immediate proximity of the historic municipality of Méribel, from which the resort got its name. Later, the lifts were designed so that vacationers could enjoy riding along the slopes of the neighbouring valleys.

The resort consists entirely of low-rise chalets in the style of Savoyard architecture — made of massive stone and beams of coniferous trees. There are no high-rise buildings in Méribel, as well as noisy nightlife and boutiques. The resort is suitable for those who appreciate comfort and privacy among the Alpine peaks.

Property prices in Méribel start from 10,844 euros per square metre for apartments and from 15,203 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.1 euros per square metre.

Les Menuires

Les Menuires is located to the west of the resort of Méribel and is connected to it and other resorts of Les Trois Vallées by a network of ski trails. The construction of the resort was in the 1960s as part of the French ski development programme. The project provided the complex development of the territory with the creation of infrastructure for sports and recreation: residential areas for athletes, comfortable transport interchanges, cinemas, shopping areas, SPA centres.

Today, the resort is popular for both winter and summer holidays. In winter, ski lifts, Christmas markets and the opportunity for holiday shopping are within walking distance to the apartments. In summer — there are numerous hiking Alpine trails, mountain biking trails, and thermal springs.

Property prices in Les Menuires start from 6,911 euros per square metre. Rental rates in apartment complexes start from 15.0 euros per square metre.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is located to the south of the abovementioned resorts. It is located among alpine meadows at an altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest in Europe. Due to its high-altitude location, the commune is surrounded by mountain peaks with glaciers that preserve snow even in summer, and the Val Thorens ski slopes are mainly suitable for experienced sportsmen.

The construction of the resort was carried out according to the same large-scale programme for the development of Alpine ski villages in France. Its construction was completed in 1971. In the design, the concept of «skiing right from the doorstep» was applied, according to which it was assumed that most of the ski slopes started right at the entrance of the hotels.

Today Val Thorens offers high-quality ski infrastructure in winter and the opportunity for a summer vacation. The resort has three tennis courts, football and volleyball fields, a paragliding club, and numerous mountain trekking routes. The resort also offers a variety of French restaurants, a Sunday grocery market and a shopping centre. The special feature of the resort in summer is the cool weather, which makes comfortable conditions for active exercises.

Property in Val Thorens is available from 9,184 euros per square metre. The rental rate is from 12.9 euros per square metre in the apartment complex and from 12.6 euros in a private chalet.

La Plagne

La Plagne is a large ski resort system located north of Courchevel, in the Tarentaise Valley, on the side of the Vanoise massif. In total, the network unites 11 resorts with a common skiing area of Grand Plagne and Paradiski.

The resorts of La Plagne are known for their modernist architecture, which they owe to the architect Michel Bezançon, who elegantly integrated the objects into the surrounding mountain landscape. Among the most famous objects are the «Steamer of the snow», combining boutiques, gourmet restaurants and vacationers’ rooms on its «decks», and marked with the status of an «Architectural heritage of the XX century», as well as the former Plagne-Bellecote ski complex, made in the form of a dam, which now, after complete restoration, houses the complex of luxury apartments.

Property prices in La Plagne start from 4,626 euros per square metre. Rental rates in apartment complexes start from 15.6 euros per square metre.

La Tania

La Tania is a small ski resort located on a hillside among the coniferous forest between the resorts of Courchevel and Méribel. Its location — a bit far away from the main tourist locations — allows you to enjoy quiet and privacy in the centre of pure nature.

La Tania is also one of the youngest resorts of Les Trois Vallées. Opened in 1990 for the Winter Olympic Games, it is a symbiosis of traditional Savoyard architecture and modern technology. There are two thermal SPA centres within a 30-minute drive. Every year, La Tania hosts freestyle and freeride competitions, the Rally at Three Valley, and an 80-kilometre bicycle marathon.

If you are considering purchasing property in La Tania, apartment prices start from approximately 7,674 euros per square metre. Rental rates start from 15.2 euros per square metre.

Brides

The ski resort of Brides is known primarily for its therapeutic thermal springs. Built on the place of the historical commune with the same name, this resort was popular among the European aristocracy in the second half of the XIX century — in French history this period is known as the «Belle Époque». At that time, a Grand Hotel and a casino were built in the town of Brides, and the ancient Roman baths were restored and relaunched.

By the 1992 Olympic Games, the resort was modernised and reorganised as a ski centre. Now the local sports complex meets the highest standards of ski infrastructure.

Property prices in Brides-les-Bains start from 4,124 euros per square metre. Rental rates in apartment complexes start from 15.4 euros per square metre.

Orelle

Orelle is a group of villages to the south of Les Trois Vallées with thermal springs. This is a historical area at the foot of the French Alps, connected to the slopes of the resorts of Les Trois Vallées by the world’s longest gondola. The resort is located in proximity to the Italian border.

The village has several historical churches of the XIV century, a thermal complex and restaurants of French cuisine. The Vanoise National Park is located in the surrounding area.

Property prices in Orelle start from 2,583 euros per square metre. Rental rates start from 12.5 euros per square metre.

Val d’Isère

Val d’Isère is a village and a complex of ski resorts located in the Tarentaise Valley, west of the resorts of Les Trois Vallées. Before, there was a project that was supposed to connect the ski area of Les Trois Vallées, the resorts of Val d’Isere and the large ski resort «Paradiski», but later it was decided to establish the Vanoise National Park in the area between three large ski centres. The most convenient way to get to Val d’Isère is from the airports of Lyon and Chambery, or from Geneva — the road will take 3 hours by car.

The resort was opened in 1930, when the first cable car was launched here, but the popularity of the resort came in the second half of the XX century. In 1992, the resort hosted part of the competitions of the Winter Olympic Games, and the Ski World Cup stages are regularly held here. The resort has excellent infrastructure and is suitable for both professionals and beginner sportsmen.

In addition to the ski infrastructure, the resort has numerous restaurants of Savoie cuisine, SPA centres, a sports complex with indoor and outdoor skating rinks, and a paragliding centre.

Property prices in Val d’Isère start from 13,088 euros per square metre. Rental rates start from 15.4 euros per square metre.

Chambèry

Chambèry is a city and historical area at the foot of the French Alps, the capital of the Savoie region. The city is located at the crossroads of transport routes between France, Italy and Switzerland: 80 km from Geneva, 100 km from Lyon and 200 km from Turin. Chambèry has its own international airport.

​​​​​​The city was the capital of the independent Duchy of Savoy from the XIII to the XVI century, whose descendants were the founders of the royal house of Italy. Chambèry has preserved many objects of historical heritage: the royal palace «Château des ducs de Savoie», the abbey of the XII century, a collection of Italian paintings of the XIV–XVIII centuries, which can be found in the city Museum of Fine Arts.

Despite the fact that there are no ski resorts in the area of the city, Chambèry is a comfortable starting point for visiting the Three Valleys complexes and resorts around Grenoble, which can be reached in 30 minutes by car. The Massif des Bauges UNESCO Global Geopark is also located in the Chambèry district, along which there are numerous routes for high-altitude hiking.

Aix-les-Bains

A small village at the Lac du Bourget, north of Chambèry, 10 minutes away by car. The city is primarily known for its mineral springs and thermal resorts. The city has a historic casino opened by King Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, a theatre and an art museum with a collection of Rodin sculptures.

Albertville

Albertville is a village in a valley at the foot of the French Alps region, where the resorts of Les Trois Vallées are located. In 1992, the city partially hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the most famous ski resort of the French Alps. It is situated at the foot of the Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the European continent, a few kilometres from the border with Italy and Switzerland. The resort is located 88 km away from Geneva, which allows you to go from the international airport there in just 1 hour by car. In addition, the resort has a train connection with many cities of France.

The village at this place was founded already in the XI century, but the region became widely known among mountain lovers at the beginning of the XIX century, when the oldest association of guides in the world «Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix» was founded in the city. From that moment on, Chamonix began to develop resort infrastructure and civic architecture dating back to the period of the «Belle Epoque» in France. The resort is becoming popular among the aristocracy and bohemians. In 1924, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc was chosen as the location for the world’s first Winter Olympic Games and ski slopes, an ice rink and an Olympic stadium were built.

Today’s Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is 170 km of first-class ski trails of varying difficulty, located on 5 separate ski complexes around the village. The city itself is a classic alpine tourist resort town with small streets and lines of chalets with elegant facades. Chamonix is home to many Savoyard restaurants and shops with local specialties.

In summer and in the off-season, Chamonix offers many entertainment opportunities: here you can ride a high-altitude vintage tram, watching the panorama of the Alps, take a small train to the historic XIX century hotel «Montenvers» with a Victorian interior, visit the ice cave in the largest glacier of the French Alps and use gondola lift to see the panoramic peak.

Property prices in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc start from 8,811 euros per square metre for apartments and from 12,910 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.2 euros per square metre.

Megève

The Megève resort is located in the Mont Blanc mountain region, west of Chamonix. It is convenient to get there by car from the airports of Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon. The system of ski slopes and lifts around Megève forms the ski area «Evasion Mont Blanc», from the top of which there is a panorama of the most famous peak of the French Alps — Mont Blanc.

​​​​The total length of the slopes in Megève is 450 km. The development of the ski infrastructure in Megève was started by the representatives of the Rothschild dynasty. At the beginning of the XX century, by their order, the first grand luxury hotel was founded here, which was supposed to compete with the famous Swiss resort of St. Moritz. After its foundation, the resort was extremely popular with the European aristocracy and bohemians: for several seasons in a row, King Albert I of Belgium, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Èdith Piaf and Brigitte Bardot stayed at the resort.

The resort itself is a small fashionable town with narrow streets, where Michelin-starred restaurants, cinemas and jazz halls are located. The famous Saint-Gervais-les-Bains thermal baths are located in the surrounding area.

Property prices in Megève start from 10,282 euros per square metre for apartments and from 17,840 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.3 euros per square metre.

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

The Saint-Gervais-les-Bains resort is primarily known for the thermal baths of the same name, opened in the early XIX century to attract tourists from different regions of Europe. The resort is located between the more famous Chamonix and Megève, its ski slopes also belong to the area of skiing «Evasion Mont Blanc».

Unlike many Alpine resorts designed for seasonal ski vacations, the village of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains has permanent residents throughout the year. A main characteristic of this location is its privacy, as the tourist flow here is lower than in nearby resorts.

Property prices in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains start from 5,002 euros per square metre for apartments and from 7,041 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.3 euros per square metre.

La Clusaz

La Clusaz is located west of Megève and only 50 km from Geneva, which allows you to get there from the airport by car in just half an hour. This resort is still less popular with foreigners, and most of the tourists here are French.

Today, the resort offers about 220 km of ski slopes, horseback riding in winter and in the off-season, alpine climbing, paragliding. The village is characterised by a quiet and slow pace of life, a priority for family holidays. In summer, you can relax on the nearby Annecy Lake.

Property prices in La Clusaz start from 8,454 euros per square metre for apartments and from 12,307 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 15.2 euros per square metre.

Grenoble

Grenoble is considered the capital of the French Alps. Despite the fact that there are no ski slopes in the city itself, the city is surrounded by 20 ski resorts with high-quality infrastructure, and in 1968 the X Winter Olympic Games also were held in Grenoble.

Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes resort is located 60 km from Grenoble, which allows you to reach it in less than an hour by car. The resort is located at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe, and the top point of its slopes is at an altitude of 3,450 metres above sea level, and from here you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Mont Blanc. The snow at this height does not melt even in summer. This altitude makes the ski season here one of the longest in France: you can ski until the end of June. There are 220 km of ski slopes in Les Deux Alpes.

The resort is also famous for its high-altitude «metro» — an underground funicular running directly into the thickness of the glacier to the top. In summer, there is also an opportunity to climb the glacier: there are numerous hiking trails in the surrounding area.

Property prices in Les Deux Alpes start from 4,600 euros per square metre for apartments and from 5,678 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 14.1 euros per square metre.

Alpe d’Huez

The Alpe d’Huez resort holds the record in many ways: firstly, it is the largest ski resort in the French Alps; and secondly, one of the local trails is the longest in Europe (16 km), and part of it passes through a tunnel laid through a glacier. The total height difference of the ski slopes is more than 2,000 metres. There is an ice arena for mass skating in the centre of the resort.

In addition to skiing, Alpe d’Huez is famous for hosting the international comedy Film Festival every year, and part of the Tour de France route takes place on its territory.

Property prices in Alpe d’Huez start from 6,203 euros per square metre for apartments and from 9,776 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 14.1 euros per square metre.

Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier is a large ski resort located on the border with Italy. The most convenient way to get to it is from the international airport of Grenoble or Turin. In total, the resort has 250 km of ski slopes.

In summer and in the off-season, the resort is interesting to tourists for its close location to the Écrins National Park, along which more than 740 km of hiking trails are laid, as well as the historical commune of Briançon, known since ancient times. The Grands Bains du Monêtie thermal resort with outdoor and indoor pools is also located in Serre Chevalier.

Property prices in Serre Chevalier range from 3,970 euros per square metre for apartments and from 3,829 euros per square metre for houses.

Col du Galibier

The Col du Galibier is a mountain pass in the Alps on the border of the Savoie and Hautes-Alpes regions, near the town of Briançon. The pass is one of the highest high-altitude paved roads of the Alps with breathtaking landscapes opening up on the sides of the road. The Tour de France route passes through the pass sometimes.

Chamrousse

Chamrousse Resort is just 30 km from Grenoble International Airport, which allows you to get to the ski slopes in less than half an hour by car. In 1968, the resort hosted all the ski competitions of the X Winter Olympic Games, which provided it with a first-class infrastructure for winter sports.

The resort is surrounded by a century-old spruce forest, and through the hiking trails it is possible to reach the alpine meadows. The famous Uriage Thermal Spring is located 15 minutes by car from Chamrousse.

Property prices in Chamrousse start from 2,566 euros per square metre for apartments and from 3,723 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates in apartment complexes start from 13.4 euros per square metre.

Parc naturel régional du Vercors

Southwest of Grenoble, on a limestone plateau overlooking the city, is the Vercors Regional Nature Park, a popular tourist destination for cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain sports. Right at the top of the mountain range is the small ski resort of Lans-en-Vercors, which offers a panorama of Grenoble.

Lake Geneva

Resorts on the French coast of Lake Geneva are no less popular than on the coast of Switzerland. In France, the lake is called «Lac Léman», retaining its Latin name from the time of the Roman Empire. The most famous resorts in the region: Évian-les-Bains, Yvoire, Thonon-les-Bains are popular all year round due to their mineral springs and coastal thermal resorts.

Geneva International Airport is located just 40 km from the resorts, and a high-speed train can take you to Paris and Lyon in just a few hours.

Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark

The entire territory of the historical province of Chablais, stretching from the south of Lake Geneva to the borders with Switzerland in western France, is included in the UNESCO-protected Global Chablais Geopark.

Évian-les-Bains

The French resort of Évian, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, has historically been one of the most exquisite thermal resorts in Europe. Its heyday fell during the period of the «Belle Epoque» in the middle of the XIX century. The shores of the lake were built up with elite villas of the aristocracy, and one of the most luxurious hotels in the Alps, the Hôtel Royal, was built in the city. The city’s guests will also find a historical theatre, a casino, numerous thermal resorts and fountains with mineral water. In the vicinity of the resort there is a production of the eponymous drinking water «Évian».

The resort is considered a historical meeting place for the political elite: Évian was visited by British kings Edward VII and George V, the Évian Conference of 1938 was held here and the «Algiers Agreements» were adopted, international conferences were held, including the G8 and G20 summits.

There are several golf courses in the city, a funicular that allows you to get to the panoramic point, and a marine station that allows you to get to Switzerland by water transport. In the winter season, Alpine ski slopes are available within half an hour by car.

Property prices in Évian-les-Bains start from 4,689 euros per square metre for apartments and from 5,538 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates in apartment complexes start from 17.4 euros per square metre.

Yvoire

Yvoire is a small historical village on the coast of Lake Geneva, a 20-minute drive from Geneva. The main characteristic of the Yvoire is its well-preserved historical architecture, thanks to which the commune is regularly included in the list of «The most beautiful villages of France».

The city is home to Château d’ivoire, a historic XIV century castle. Numerous yachts cruise along Lake Geneva from the Yvoire, and spa resorts with thermal springs are located near the city.

Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a large Alpine ski resort located east of the thermal resorts of Lake Geneva. The resort belongs to the large-scale Portes du Soleil ski area, located on the territory of two countries at once: France and Switzerland, and has a total length of 650 km of ski trails. Avoriaz is known as a resort that supports the environmental movement, so it is forbidden to travel by car through the streets of the village — they are intended only as trails for skiing and horse-drawn sleds.

Its architecture and infrastructure take a special part in the history of the resort. Avoriaz is a resort designed and built in the mid-1960s in the avant-garde style of modernism. When designing it, the natural shapes and outlines of mountain peaks were taken as a basis. As a result, Avoriaz was built up with high-rise 12- and 14-storey buildings with sloping roofs, completely finished with red cedar along the perimeter from the outside. This solution gives the resort a fantastic view from the observation decks and ski slopes.

In addition to skiing, mountain biking and trekking can be practised at the resort, there is a large water park with a tropical garden on the territory of the resort, there are many restaurants of Savoie cuisine, a shopping centre. In 1973–1993, Avoriaz hosted the famous fantastic film festival — «Festival international d’avoriaz du film fantastique».

Property prices in Avoriaz start from 7,164 euros per square metre for apartments and from 8,760 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 16.4 euros per square metre.

Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval

An hour by car from Avoriaz in the Sixt-Passy National Reserve there is a famous hiking route, accessible in the summer season and passing through a high-altitude valley at the foot of the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval mountain range. This reserve is characterised by a relief variety of karst depressions, fractures and picturesque shapes of hills, and along the route there are fascinating landscapes of mountain ranges.

Annecy

Annecy is a small historical town 40 km from Geneva and Lake Geneva. It is located on the coast of the lake of the same name and is known as a thermal resort. During the Renaissance, the city held an important place in the Duchy of Savoy, its territory preserved the old castle of the XII century, the castle of the Counts of Geneva of the XVI century, as well as the urban architectural ensemble, which has references to Italian architecture due to the channels running directly between the city buildings.

Paragliding, sailing and other water sports are widely developed in the region, as well as, of course, skiing — due to its proximity to Alpine resorts.

Property prices in Annecy start from 5,922 euros per square metre for apartments and from 7,423 euros per square metre for houses. Rental rates start from 18 euros per square metre.

The Southern French Alps

The southern French Alps include the Provence and Maritime Alps. They have a milder Mediterranean climate, lower peaks and historically have close ties with the Côte d’Azur region.

Le Sauze

Le Sauze is a little village in the Southern Alps with a small historical ski resort, opened at the beginning of the XX century. The resort has 65 km of ski slopes, suitable for families with children and for confident skiers.

The resort is surrounded by coniferous and deciduous forests, and the picturesque Lake of Serre-Ponçon is located nearby. There is also an equestrian centre and a paragliding centre in the vicinity of the resort.

Saint-Dalmas le Selvage

A town belonging to the Alpes-Maritimes department, located 90 km from Nice, a few kilometres from the resort of Le Sauze on the border with Italy. The commune has several historical picturesque alpine villages, and its characteristic feature is a wide variety of mountain landscapes: from broad-leaved forests to alpine flowering meadows.

Parc national du Mercantour

One of the largest nature reserves in Europe, the Mercantour National Park, previously housed the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Savoy. Today it consists of 240 kilometres of hiking trails through Alpine valleys and mountain passes. The park can be reached in just an hour and a half from Nice and other cities of the Côte d’Azur.

Due to the extensive natural and historical variety, the French Alps provide an opportunity to choose a property for every taste and for any purpose. Rental properties in high-altitude resorts, luxury apartments in regions with thermal springs and paragliding centres, as well as prestigious housing for family holidays in nature, but close to major economic centres and international airports, are always in demand.

Our real estate experts in the Alps region will help you choose the best option for investment, as well as calculate the prospects for income from housing in a specific location.

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