Rhône-Alpes Property For Sale

The wider Rhône-Alpes region has long been eclipsed by the celebrity status of its world-famous Alpine ski resorts such as Megève, Courchevel and Val d’Isère (see French Alps Property). But with the advent of budget flights to Lyon, Chambéry, Grenoble and St. Etienne - alongside the traditional routes to Geneva – interest in the rest of this beautiful region is bound to grow. Whether you want a traditional chalet, a luxury city flat, a farmhouse, a modern villa or a maison de maître, you will find them all at a fraction of their price in better known regions. The secret is out, Rhône-Alpes property is a sound investment for the future.

The Rhône department is home to France’s second city, Lyon – the gastranomic capital of France. Lyon property benefits from an international airport, a TGV service to Paris (two hours) and the Eurostar - via Lille or Paris - to London, (just over five hours). By car you are only 90 minutes from the ski resorts of Trois Vallées and Meribel and just three hours from the Côte d'Azur. Lyon has an eco-friendly tram system and the Cité Scolaire international school. This is very much a working French city so Lyon property can be let all year round to professionals or University students. Little wonder then that Lyon has also just been voted the 5th best city in the world to invest by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Tip: smaller Lyon properties sell well – especially near a metro (underground) station.

To the north between Villefranche-sur-Saône and Macon in Burgundy lies the extremely picturesque Beaujolais wine-growing region with its rolling vineyards sometimes so steep that ‘vendange à la main’ is the only option. Beaujolais property - often former stone-built winegrowers’ homes - becomes more expensive nearer Villefranche where there are excellent restaurants and shops. More rural Beaujolais property – especially in the mountainous area between La Clayette and Tarare – is cheaper. Even here, you are not far from Lyon airport, the TGV and the ‘autoroute du soleil’.

Haute-Savoie property boasts one of the most enchanting Alpine towns of all – Annecy. With its lakeside location and medieval old town with narrow streets and flower-decked bridges, Annecy property is highly sought after – especially by French retirees. Not only are there outdoor pursuits such as golf, swimming, rowing, sailng, windsurfing and cycling but countless ski resorts are within a 90 minute drive. Annecy property with lake views is especially pricey but some lakeside villages enjoy charming locations with their own beaches and you can commute with Annecy by steamer. For maximum income from your Annecy property choose the eastern side of the lake closer to the ski slopes. Talloires property commands excellent rental income thanks to just such a location - it is also home to the Michelin starred Auberge du Père-Bise and Churchill’s favourite Hôtel de l’Abbaye. * Annecy will soon benefit from a new motorway connecting it with Geneva so an investment in Annecy property will reap handsome dividends.

The spa towns of Thonons-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains enjoy a similar quality of life on the shores of Lake Léman – better known as Lake Geneva. Thonons property and Evian property – situated between lake and mountain – are good for a six-month rental season. Evian attracts hordes of chic Euro-Sloanes to its health and beauty retreat at the Hotel Royal.

To the south, Savoie property benefits from Chambery airport where budget flights from the UK have made it easier to get to the ski resorts of Courchevel, Val d’Isère, Méribel, Tignes, La Plagne and Albertville. Grenoble property gives you easy access to Isère’s top skiing resorts such as Alpe d’Huez and les Deux Alpes. The capital of the French Alps, Grenoble benefits from being on the Paris/Mediterranean axis and from being the gateway to Switzerland and Italy. With 50,000 university students, Grenoble property enjoys a thriving long-term rentals market. St-Pierre-de-Chartreuse property gives superb views from a medieval mountain village in the heart of the Chartreuse Regional Park.

Drôme property is cheaper than that of Provence or the Alps, but prices are rising and this “new Provence” could prove a wise investment. Particularly attractive is the Drôme valley from Crest to Die – the Vercors nature reserve. Crest property and Die property are highly desirable as the surrounding Vercors scenery is breathtaking with deep forests and winding rivers. This is a rambler’s paradise.

Valence is the capital of the Drôme and the ‘Gateway to Provence’; a university town with a TGV station, it is only 2hrs 23 minutes from Paris. Valence property makes a great base for exploring the spectacular gorges of the Ardèche just across the departmental border. Other distractions of the Drôme include top northern Rhône wines such as Côte Rôtie and Hermitage - and the sparkling wine Clairette de Die.

Ardèche property bargains are found off the tourist trail in the north of the department around Tournon sur Rhône; further south the climate is drier and hotter and the Gorges de l’Ardèche – known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’ - attracts tourists from all over the world. From St Martin to Vallon Pont D’Arc (the famous 60m wide arch created by river erosion over thousands of years) the river Ardèche winds its way through steep canyons and past otherwise inaccessible sandy beaches to create a unique and spectacular backdrop for canoeing, canyoning, potholing, climbing and walking. Buying Ardèche property can be expensive but can command handsome rental income in particular from those seeking white-knuckle adventure breaks!

The Ain department between Lyon and the Alps might not have its own airport but it is easily accessed by those of Lyon and Geneva. Bourg-en-Bresse – the capital of Ain - is famous for the quality of its chickens. Ain property is best bought in the west near the border with the Rhône, not only can you enjoy Lyon’s international airport and quick access to the ‘autoroute de soleil’ but the area shares some of the top Beaujolais crus such as Julienas, Fleurie and Chiroubles.

The Loire department attracts few tourists and as such offers some of the cheapest Rhône Alps property to those wishing to relocate and enjoy an authentic French lifestyle. The capital St. Etienne - an industrial town which has preserved its original trams - is surrounded with beautiful countryside. St. Etienne property is a mere 60 kilometres from Lyon with its TGV service to Paris and the Channel Tunnel.