French developer brings forward Alps chalet project

The popularity of France’s Grand Massif area, long a favourite second home and holiday destination for the French, had led a developer to bring forward plans to build more apartments in the area.

The region has scenic and traditional villages which attract people all year round and the fourth biggest ski area in the French Alps, according to developer MGM.

Sales consultant Richard Dean, based in the London office of the French Developer said that work will be getting underway soon on the construction of the company’s sixth development in the village of Samoens, an archetypal French working village with the focus on its central square, church, fountain and old market building.

The project, Les Chardons Argentés, comprises nine traditionally styled chalets together containing 70 apartments ranging in size from 43 square meter one bedroom properties to four bedroom, two bathroom duplexes of 110 square meters. All come with underground parking and storage space.

Already more than 20 of the apartments have been sold off plan. They are within walking distance of the village shops, cafes and restaurant and have an indoor pool for use by residents. Nearby is a cable car providing access to the Grand Massif’s 265 kilometres of ski slopes.

‘Growing numbers of British families are opting for properties in locations like these where they can pursue a lifestyle which enables them to integrate with local people while enjoying a huge variety of outdoor activities throughout the year,’ said Dean.

Summer activities include paragliding, white water rafting, archery, riding, cycling, fishing and golf. The more traditional hiking and climbing are among other pursuits on the doorstep. In the winter months dog sledging, raquette trekking and climbing frozen waterfalls is available in addition to skiing.

Samoens, whose seventeenth century stonemasons were in demand throughout Europe and as far afield as America, has all the facilities needed for year round living in an established community, according to Dean.

The village is in Haute Savoie between Geneva and Chamonix, along the wooded valley of the River Giffre, and offers access to ski slopes at altitudes of up to 2,500 metres. ‘As many of them are north facing, they retain their snow for a longer periods than many other resorts. Within a one hour drive are other popular ski resorts such as Chamonix and Megeve as well as the historic and picturesque lakeside town of Annecy where sailing and water sports are popular in summer,’ explained Dean.

‘For British buyers, part of the special appeal of Samoens is its easy access from the UK. It is only one hour by road from Geneva Airport, making it four hours door to door’ from London. Travel by car from the UK is also easy, around seven and a half hours from Calais,’ he added.