General
The Rhone-Alps region of France is undoubtedly one of the prettiest in France, and indeed Europe. Situated next to Switzerland and Italy the French Alps is also the highest region in Europe, housing the spectacular Mont Blanc near the popular town of Chammonix. If you are feeling fit you can ski down Mont Blanc, if you are not feeling so energetic then there is always the cable car to take you up for one of the best views you will get anywhere in the world.
Towns and Cities
Main towns in the region include Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery, Aix les Bains, Thonon, Evian, Yvoire, and arguably the prettiest town in Europe, Annecy.
Access
The area is very well served by major airports including Lyon, Grenoble, and Geneva. Significantly low cost airlines such as easyjet fly here. The area is also very well served by motorways and rail. Click for a list of airlines.
Places of Interest
There are so many places of interest in the area that it is hard to condense it all into a few sentences. If you like scenery, then that of Haute Savoie is amongst the best in the world. Moreover, even the towns and villages are very pretty indeed. Annecy and Yvoire are exceptionally stunning. So whether you prefer towns or the country you really do have the best of both worlds.
Things to do
There is something for everyone in the area. Lakes and beaches for those wishing to laze, alpine mountains, and extreme sports for adventure seekers, and walks, restaurants, and all kinds of activities for everyone else. On top of all this the area seems to have more than its fair share of festivals, shows and attractions. There is something for everyone from young to old.
Property
The French Alps are pectacularly beautiful and as such attracts tourists from all over France. Moreover the climate is not only excellent from spring to autumn, but even in winter the area is a tourist magnet for ski enthusiasts. Because of this the Rhone Alps is undoubtedly one of the most sought after locations for those wishing to settle in France. As such it is also one of the more expensive. Nevertheless, thanks to the boom in house prices in the UK, houses in the Rhone-Alps area have never been more affordable to UK citizens. So if you want a piece of arguably the most desirable part of France then now is probably the best time to do it, especially since traditionally prices here tend to rise more than other parts of France. Properties to renovate are still available in the Alps, though becoming increasingly scarce. However, even new properties can be bought for less than £100,000 if you do your homework.
Property Investment Value
If you intend buying a property as an investment then the Rhone-Alps should be a pretty safe bet. Not only is property in the Alps more affordable now than it ever has been for UK citizens, but house prices in such a tourist haven are likely to keep rising. Moreover, if you intend to let out your property then you have the advantage of having a thriving summer and winter season so you could well rent out your property all year long. Even if you don't have enough capital to buy a house you can still pick up studios at popular ski resorts for under £40000. These could prove good investments as rents are high and prices are unlikely to fall. If you are interested in such properties we can help you look when you book your holiday.
Cuisine
As with other areas of France the Rhone-Alps is
famous for its own cuisine. Dishes with cheese as an integral part are
particularly popular here, especially fondu and raclette. The Alps also
is famous for it's cheese and wine. Particularly popular are Tomme and
Roblochon cheese (as well as tomme de chevre). Crépy wine is popular,
as are strong alcoholic drinks made from plants such as Chartreuse and
Génipi.
To Conclude
The French Alps have got to be one of the best
places in Europe to live, with fantastic scenery, great climate, pretty
towns, excellent air access, and lots to do and see. On top of all of
this the areas such as Savoie and Haute Savoie are always going to be
popular so buying a house here could also prove to be a very good investment.
