We are based in the Vallouise valley in the Hautes Alpes (department 05). The area spans from La Grave in the north to Embrun in the south. Within the 3000kms area that we cover there are 12 popular ski resorts (including Serre Chevallier, Montgenevre, Vars & Risoul); over 50 villages; and 4 main towns including Briancon and Guillestre. Discover more about the area on our Hautes-Alpes page.
Are property prices going up ?
Yes, though not dramatically (as they did 4-5 years ago). It is difficult to find official rates of increase specifically for the Hautes-Alpes, but people in the industry speculate that prices in the Briancon area are currently increasing at around 10% per annum.
Many people have chosen to invest in the area because it is currently less developed than the northern alpes, hence properties are, for the moment, much cheaper and are likely to give a better return. There is a strong feeling among local residents and businesses that tourism is growing fast and the area is becoming a leading European destination for skiers, climbers, cyclists, alpinists and mountain-bikers.
Will I be able to find a property myself, on-line?
French businesses are a little behind in promoting their services on-line, many agencies do not even have websites. Searching on-line will give you an idea of prices (if you can find the right area), but will restrict you to a limited number of properties. The only way to cover the market properly is to live in the area full time or to have a representative on the spot.
Which areas are hot, and where’s best to avoid?
Property in the Vallouise valley is becoming more and more sought-after, and hence house prices are thought to be increasing a fraction more than elsewhere. However Guillestre is also growing in popularity. While Briancon, Serre Chevallier and surrounding villages remain popular areas, several new housing developments are being built, attempting to overcome the shortage of quality housing. There is nowhere in particular to avoid.
Will we be able to rent our house / apartment out?
Yes, there's a high demand for holiday-lets during peak season (both summer & winter). If you are hoping to rent your property - whether on a casual basis, or as much as possible, we will suggest the best places to buy, and point you in the right direction.
Are there any negative feelings to" yet another foreign buyer"?
There are still relatively few 'foreigners' in the Hautes-Alpes, unlike resorts in the northern alpes. We haven't experienced any negative reactions since moving to the area - in fact quite the opposite, the locals seem genuinely intrigued as to why we've chosen to leave the UK to live in one of their rural mountain villages!