The French Alps go from Lake Geneva to the southern border of Provence, and it’s just another example of how varied this country can be. Want an A-frame that overlooks Mont Blanc? A neat little apartment beside a chairlift? You’ve got plenty of options in this region, which is why UK families keep returning season after season.
In fact, France recorded roughly 51.9 million skier visits in 2024, second only to the United States. So that’s a solid reminder that demand for beds – holiday lets or second homes – is super strong in this part of the country
Our team can connect you with local lenders that cover everything from studio flats in Les Gets to statement chalets in Val d’Isère. Once you’ve got your Finance Passport, you can approach French lenders with a ready-made pack of your documents, which massively smooths the paperwork.
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What’s so special about the French Alps?
Year-Round Appeal: Ski from December to April, then swap to hiking or cycling once the snow melts. It’s not all about skiing!
Resilient Prices: Prime property in Méribel is about €16,100 per square metre, which rises to €20,000-€35,000 for new builds beside the pistes.
Strong Rental Yields: A quarter of the foreign winter bookings are made up by Brits alone, so an English-speaking owner can market directly to them and keep management costs down.
Connectivity: Grenada and Lyon have nearby airports that place most resorts within a two-hour transfer. And Eurostar’s seasonal service reaches the Tarentaise Valley without all the faff of domestic flights.
Yes. Non-EU citizens can still buy freehold property in France, and most mainstream banks will lend up to 70% of the purchase price if your debt-to-income ratio stays below 35%. Expect the full process – from offer to keys – to run two to four months.
Then once you’ve agreed to terms, you’ll sign a compromis de vente and lodge a 10% deposit – the notaire then orders searches and registers the deed!
With that comes fees of around 7-8% of the sale price – this covers stamp duty and the notaire’s tariff. And there’s also no foreign-buyer surcharge!
Start with local estate agents who specialise in cross-border buyers; they know which developments pre-qualify for rental schemes such as the para-hôtelier tax break. Our team at Upscore can put you in contact with them, so don’t stress about opening loads of tabs to find the best options!
Prices are quite varied here: a one-bed in the Maurienne Valley can slip under €200,000, while trophy chalets in Courchevel 1850 list above €29,000,000.
If possible, we’d suggest visiting in both winter and summer, because access roads that feel fine in July can be pretty sketchy once snow chains come out. It also helps to check for shared heating systems and whether the apartment block’s roof carries a recent inspection (diagnostic technique global).
Thinking of Italy next, or perhaps a beach house in Portugal? We can provide country-specific guides wherever you’re thinking of moving to!
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