April 10, 2010
After a two-year long public enquiry, a new set of rules for risk prevention in the Chamonix valley has finally been passed, though local planning authorities had been using the “unofficial” version of the document in anticipation for the last two years. So-called “natural risks” are a very sensitive issue in Chamonix, especially since the 1999 Montroc avalanche in which 12 people died and a large part of the hamlet was flattened by a giant snow slide. There are in total 110 avalanches couloirs all around Chamonix.
The novelty is the creation of “yellow” areas in addition to the traditional white/blue/red zones. Presently there are 900 buildings in blue or red areas where special dispositions apply, either in terms of building regulations (e.g. new constructions of reconstruction of existing houses is not allowed in red zones) or for the possible evacuation of inhabitants in the event of a threat of natural disaster. The white/blue/red system was based on the likelyhood of natural catastrophes which had historically occured at least once in a hundred years, known as “risque centenaire”, for events such as avalanches, landslides or flash floods.
Yellow zones cover areas where there is a suspicion of very ancient avalanches, up to 300 years ago. No special building regulations have been designed for these areas of Chamonix but authorities are required to put in place evacuation plans, should the risk materialise. In all, 1,700 constructions (chalets, farms etc.) are located in such areas.
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Posted by jcskiera
March 8, 2010
We currently have 34 plots of land for sale in the Haute Savoie. Thanks to this we are recieving lots of questions about how to go about a new build project. Normally my answer is to speak to one of our experienced agents, most of whom have been involoved with new build projects in France for some time.
I have decided to do some research into the whole subject and write a 7 part blog following a current new build near Morzine. It helps that this is being undertaken by Alew Lewis (the Marketing Man). Alex and his Father-in-Law (Steve Norris, the MD) have been going through the process meticulously, leaving a well documented paper trail to help with the research.
If you want to keep abreast of the build process then I suggest registering your details with us via the little form on the right of this page. I intend to have part 1 and 2 written by the end of this week.
Part 1. Choosing your land, what to look for, the questions to ask. Making an offer, the first contract.
Part 2. Asking for planning permission
Part 3. Getting the constructions quotes.
Part 4. The build, from digging the first hole to the finished concrete structure.
Part 5. Adding the wooden frame, walls, roof, windows and doors – Hors d’eau – hors d’air.
Part 6. Finishing the inside, electrics, heating, kitchens etc….
Part 7. Landscaping and obtaining the Certificat de Conformité.
I have some examples of plots below:
The most expensive we have is:
Land Medon, 521, 850 euros, Combloux near Megeve
http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_medon&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en
to our cheapest
Land La Chapelle, 80,000 euros, Sixt fer a Cheval
http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_lachapelleland&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en
2 Comments | Advice | Tagged: alps, chamonix, chatel, les gets, megeve, morzine, samoens, st jean d'aulps, france, alpes, St Gervais, Le Grand-Bornand, Les Carroz, le grand massif, aravis, new build, off plan, self build | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
March 4, 2010
A new hotel has just opened in St Gervais, further evidence of the towns up and coming chic atmosphere. “La Feline Blanche” www.lafelineblanche.com is a 10 bedroom establishment run by Brigitte and Jean-Jacques Ballet. Tastefully decorated suites in black and white marry both contemporary design and the mountain-look, and prices start at a reasonable 129E per night for a double room.
With a dynamic Maire and much investment, St Gervais has seen many recent changes including a full facelift of a main part of the high street, granite curbing and paths as well as new lampposts. Recent establishments such as the contemporary “Pur bar” www.pur-bar.com who experiment with fresh new ideas such as a “beach” outside with sand and deck chairs in the summer, help offer clients more than just its cocktails, champagne and smoothies. There has also been the recent refurbishment of le Serac, a fine dining restaurant which has won its second accolade from the famous gastro guide ”Gault et Millau”.
The changes over the last few years have all helped increase St Gervais caché and appeal. Consequently it is now starting to compete seriously amongst its nearby upmarket neighbours, Chamonix and Megève.
Comments Off | Latest News | Tagged: chamonix, megeve, St Gervais, hotel, la féline blanche | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
February 25, 2010
The Dauphine Libere reported about a meeting that took place earlier this week in Chamonix. The town hall delegate for development (Yvonick Plaud) proposed the development of a spa complex, thermo pools, saunas, jacuzzi s, steam room, massage, therapy etc….
This type of development proposal is in line with the current thinking in many resorts to provide alternatives to skiing. The demographic of the ski visitor is ageing and in Chamonix the older skier may well find the local skiing a bit arduous! Obviously there would be fairly heavy financial (5-8m Euros) and environmental hurdles to overcome.
This cost sounds quite high from the point of view of the Mairie of Chamonix, though when you compare it to the cost of a new telecabine it does not sounds to bad.
Just think, in the future Chamonix-les-Bains could be competing with St Gervais-les-Bains.
Maybe now is the time to consider splashing out on that new pad in the centre of Chamonix, Apartment Cloud Nine, could be a good start!
1 Comment | Latest News | Tagged: apartment cloud nine, chamonix, new development | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
February 2, 2010
St Gervais, Megève and Chamonix are playing host this week to the Alpine Junior World Championship. Over 300 participants from all over the world will be taking part in ski races between the 30th Jan and 6th Feb 2010. These elite participants are aged between 15 and 20 years old.
The official opening ceremony took place at the St Gervais ice rink on Sunday 31st January. For the rest of the week the men’s giant slalom is scheduled to take place in Megève (Cote 2000) and the ladies slalom in Chamonix. Eurosport will be covering the event. The closing ceremony and medal presentation will be in Megève on the 6th Feb.
The program
Sunday 31st Jan and 1st Feb – Ladies downhill training
Tuesday 2nd Feb – Ladies Downhill
Wednesday 3rd Feb – Ladies and men’s Giant Slaloms
Thursday and Friday – Men’s downhill training
Saturday 6th Feb – Men’s downhill
Further information can be found on the official website:
http://www.mondiauxskijunior2010.com/
Comments Off | Latest News | Tagged: chamonix, megeve, St Gervais, Junior World Ski Championships | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
January 22, 2010
Here are some interesting statistics that were published in the Dauphine Liberé this week. They refer to the amount of money the Commune (translates as Council) owes divided by the number of people who pay taxes in the Commune.
I have selected some of the more popular Communes for comparison. I don’t suppose you should make a property purchase decision on the basis of these figures, they just give you an idea of who owes the most! I’ve no idea what happens should a Commune in France goes bust.
Les Gets looks to be on shaky ground, it is an “average” sized ski resort and owes a lot. I know that in the last few years they have built and underground car park, a reservoir to supply water to the town and they have upgraded their sewage system too.
On a similar subject the Dauphine Liberé ran a story on the amount of ski lift investment in the Haute Savoie over the last year. Full story via the link below.
http://www.ledauphine.com/avec-six-nouveaux-apparei-@/index.jspz?article=249867&chaine=23
More property related stats from the following link.
http://www.budget.gouv.fr/
| Commune |
Euros per Inhabitant |
| Les Gets |
25,279 |
| Chatel |
10,698 |
| Les Contamines-Montjoie |
7,127 |
| Morzine |
6,806 |
| Megeve |
6,657 |
| La Clusaz |
6,490 |
| Morillon |
5,942 |
| Chamonix |
5,186 |
| Le Grand-Bornand |
5,076 |
| Combloux |
5,063 |
| Samoens |
4,700 |
| Araches-la-Frasse |
4,619 |
| Manigod |
3,663 |
| Evian-les-Bains |
3,603 |
| St Jean de Sixt |
3,581 |
| Saint-Gervais-les-Bains |
2,426 |
| Montriond |
1,926 |
| Le Biot |
1,755 |
| Essert Romand |
1,742 |
| Les Houches |
1,731 |
| Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval |
1,690 |
| Passy |
1,506 |
| La Chapelle-d’Abondance |
1,478 |
| Annecy-le-Vieux |
1,445 |
| St Jean d’Aulps |
1,311 |
| Vallorcine |
1,051 |
| Taninges |
847 |
| Servoz |
780 |
| Annecy |
483 |
| La Baume |
3 |
| Average in France |
890 |
3 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: Annecy, chamonix, chatel, les gets, megeve, morzine, property, samoens, st jean d'aulps, Vallorcine, Les Houches, Combloux, Le Grand-Bornand, La Clusaz, Sixt-fer-a-Cheval, Taninges, Montriond, council, commune, Annecy-le-Vieux, Araches-la-Frasse, La Baume, Le Biot, La Chapelle-d'Abondance, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Essert Romand, Evian-les-Bains, Manigod, Morillon, Passy, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, St Jean de Sixt, Servoz | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
May 5, 2009
Would you believe it. Morzine and Chamonix are scrapping over who should host one of the events (should Annecy win the bid) at the 2018 Winter Olympics. I guess in this fight Morzine counts as the young upstart and Chamonix are not pleased. They have been claiming that Morzine is “too far” from Annecy to be included in the bid.
The full story can be found on the Dauphine Libere website, in French. If you’d like help with the translation then try the Google Translator it works “sufficiently”!
Briefly the president of the bid did some googling to see what the stats looked like from Annecy to Chamonix and Morzine, the result being:
Annecy to Chamonix 95km equating to 1hr 09min at the wheel.
Annecy to Morzine 86km equating to 1hr 18min at the wheel (there is less motorway on this route).
So this is fairly inconclusive so he took a local member of the Judiciary (from Thonon Les Bains so impartial) to drive the two routes, the results being.
Annecy to Chamonix 95.7km equating to 1hr 07min at the wheel.
Annecy to Morzine 85.5km equating to 1hr 12min at the wheel
So Chamonix wins by a whisker – but surely they are clutching at straws argueing over 5min!
Comments Off | Latest News | Tagged: 2018 winter olympics, alpine property, chamonix, morzine | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
April 20, 2009
I took a few days off with the family last week to visit London. The run up to this seemed quite hectic. Now I am back at my desk and decided to take stock of the new additions that Jo and I have added to the website.
The following list is all the new properties that have gone on-line in the last 3 weeks.
Chalets (10)
Chalet Servoz, a 4 bedroom property in the Chamonix valley.
Apartment Centre Ville, a small apartment or business slap bang in the middle of Samoens.
Apartment Bertrand, a 4 bedroom apartment in St Jean d’Aulps.
Apartment Chamois d’Or, a 3 bedroom apartment in the centre of Morzine.
Moulin de Trebillon, a stables with land not far from Evian and Lac Leman.
Chalet la Griaz, 3 bedrooms in Les Houches in Chamonix valley.
Chalet Iris, 5 bedrooms, 100m from a ski lift in Chatel.
Chalet Laer, 7 bedrooms, on the ski bus route in Chatel.
Chalet Cravarin, 6 bedrooms and great views in the Samoens valley.
Chalet la Toile, 4 bedrooms and great views in St Gervais
Land (4)
Land les Bollus, walking distance from the ski lift at Vercland, Samoens.
Land at Flerier, in a quiet setting by a lake near Taninges, Samoens valley.
Land du Buissons, good views on the outskirts of Essert Romand nr Morzine.
Land at Passy, cheap! About 20 minutes from Chamonix.
Renovation (1)
Farm Grevat, a farm building and 1620 m² of land, Essert Romand near Morzine
Comments Off | Latest News | Tagged: chamonix, chatel, morzine, property, samoens, st jean d'aulps, news, property for sale, portes du soleil, St Gervais, new additions | Permalink
Posted by Gareth
