The popularity of France’s Grand Massif area – the fourth biggest ski area in the French Alps and home to some of the region’s most scenic and traditional villages which attract Britons all year round – has prompted the region’s leading developer to bring forward plans to build more apartments there.

Richard Deans, sales consultant in the Regent Street, London office of leading French developer MGM, has revealed to Overseas Living that work will start next year on the construction of the company’s sixth development in the village, Les Chardons Argentés. It comprises nine traditionally-styled chalets together containing 70 apartments ranging in size from 43sq m one-bedroom properties to four-bedroom, two-bathroom duplexes of 110sq m. All come with underground parking and storage space.

Available for outright purchase – not leaseback – and incorporating an indoor pool, the apartments will be within walking distance of the village shops, cafés and restaurants in the centre of Samoens. Also nearby is a cable car providing access to the Grand Massif’s 265km 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,” says Richard.

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

Samoens is an archetypal French working village with the focus on its central square, church, fountain and old market building. In evidence throughout the village is the work of Samoens’ seventeenth century stonemasons whose skills were in demand throughout Europe and as far afield as America.

Easy access
The village, which has all the facilities needed for year-round living in an established community, is located within the Haute-Savoie region between Geneva and Chamonix, along the wooded valley of the River Giffre. It offers access to slopes at altitudes of up to 2,500m and, as many of them are north facing, they retain their snow for a longer period than many other resorts.
Samoens is one of the resorts in which skiers can use the innovative Holiski electronic ski pass. By buying a €32 pass on-line before leaving home in the UK, users benefit from daily discounts of up to 25 percent in eight major ski areas and avoid the need to queue up to buy a pass when they arrive in the French Alps. Operation of the card is similar to that for toll cards on French motorways; the cost of each ski lift ride is debited from the pass-holder’s credit card account.

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. The apartments in Les Chardons Argentés will feature modern interiors and spacious accommodation within traditionally-styled and contemporary chalet buildings finished in timber and stone.

“For British buyers, part of the special appeal of Samoens is its easy access from the UK,” says Richard. “Both are only one hour by road from Geneva Airport, making them ‘four hours door-to-door’ from London. Travel by car from the UK is easy; drive-time from Calais is about seven-and-a-half-hours.”

Already 10 of the apartments at Les Chardons Argentés have been snapped up by early off-plan buyers. The prices of those still available start at €240,000.

Contact
Tel: +44 (0)207 4940706
Email: london@mgm-immobilier.fr
Web: www.mgm-constructeur.com