BUYING A CHALET IN MEGÈVE

Located near Italy and Switzerland, Megève benefits from an excellent road and public transport network (plane and train), in addition to the dynamism and economic strength of the Haute-Savoie department and the city of Geneva. Haute-Savoie boasts an exceptional quality of life and access to majestic nature from the most legendary summits of Europe (Mont Blanc, Aiguille du Midi, the Aravis Range) to the stunning lakes of Annecy, Bourget and Geneva.

One of the highlights of Megève is its beautifully preserved surroundings and natural environment, untouched by its development as a prestigious resort. You can stroll through the town’s cobbled streets with its baroque church and original architecture while enjoying the striking views of Mont Blanc. The snow-covered winter peaks are transformed in summer into a landscape of blooming mountain meadows, traversed by shimmering streams, and clad in lush woodland as far as the eye can see. A mere thirty-minute car journey brings you to the beautiful sites of the Mer de Glace, the Vallée Blanche and the magnificent peaks of the Chamonix Valley.

Going from a traditional alpine farming village to an upmarket ski resort, Megève has undergone developments that have forged its identity today, fusing together its strong cultural heritage with all the qualities of modernity. Until the 19th century, before the rise of mountaineering and the arrival of the first tourists, the economy of Megève was essentially agricultural, mainly centred around cattle farming. On the initiative of Father Ambroise Martin, the construction of a Calvary sanctuary took place between 1840 and 1878 and attracted more visitors who came on pilgrimage to this new and sacred mountain. The end of the 19th century ushered in the arrival of the first tourists who came to experience the benefits of the mountain air. Gradually the village centre expanded with the construction of hotels. Then at the beginning of the 20th century the tradition of skiing in Megève was launched when a mountaineer from Chambéry sang the praises of its terrain in a glowing article. The first skiing competition was launched in 1914 and just after the First World War Baroness Noémie de Rothschild—an intrepid skier—chose to settle in Megève with the ambition of making it the “Saint-Moritz of France.”

Over the course of a century, Megève has grown considerably in size and wealth. Prestigious hotels and luxury chalets have been harmoniously integrated with the historic buildings around the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church and its old centre. Today, the resort provides access to an incredible ski area with over 249 miles (400 km) of slopes and is renowned for its high-quality modern sports facilities, including the Palais des Sports, the largest complex in the Alps. A tourist destination for every season, Megève does not lose any of its appeal in summer and continues to display a unique character, seamlessly interweaving the authenticity of its past and the modern features of the present. Megève is also famous for its shopping with luxury boutiques and brands such as Dior, Loro Piana, Hermès, Fusalp, Moncler and Façonnable. In addition, you can browse through the many art galleries and discover up-and-coming artists. As far as restaurants are concerned, the historic centre of Megève and its surroundings offer many options with warm and festive atmospheres and a variety of cuisines, depending on your preference, from Italian trattorias to Asian restaurants, not forgetting the essential local Savoyard specialties of course!

With a unique quality of life guaranteed, the Megève area is the ideal place to purchase a second home or for making a seasonal rental investment, in particular luxury properties. Buying a chalet in Megève is an opportunity to have a pied-à-terre in one of the best equipped resorts in the Alps, while also being highly accessible, with Geneva airport only 1 hour 15 minutes away, as well as the presence of an altiport, a motorway, and a TGV station (Sallanches) less than 20 minutes from the area.

Fée Pour Vous can help you find the top-of-the-range property you’re looking for – be it a luxurious or a charming chalet, a 4- or 5-bedroom flat, or that farmhouse renovation project you dream of. If you are looking to invest in a rental property, then the Mont d’Arbois areas close to the slopes and the 18-hole golf course or the village centre promise a high potential return thanks to weekly and seasonal rental prices that are among the highest in the French Alps. Or are you searching for a long-term investment with a view to making significant capital gains? The districts of Le Jaillet, Rochebrune, and Demi-Quartier offer opportunities to buy large properties or renovation projects at lower prices than in Mont d’Arbois or the centre. Building plots in the area are scarcer, however, they can still be sourced in the neighbouring villages of Combloux and Praz-sur-Arly.