A Guide for Buying Property in Portes du Soleil

Portes du Soleil sits on the border of France and Switzerland and offers easy access to some of the most beautiful slopes in the world. While it isn’t the largest ((Three Valleys proudly holds that title) it is the largest internationally linked ski area, with 13 local villages offering great investment potential for property investors. 

Our guide to buying property in Portes du Soleil highlights a few of the best locations in the area, giving you an idea of where to begin your search. 

Les Gets 

It pays to keep a close eye on the property market in Les Gets as opportunities tend to come and go quite quickly. You’ll find a combination of modern stone and wood chalets and traditional Savoyard farmhouses in and around the town. Closer to the pistes are the ‘ski-in, ski-out’ chalets and quality new builds such as Stella Apartments, La Croisette, Le Confidential and L’Essentiel, have become a notable addition in recent years. The arrival of Les Ferme des Piste resort in Spring 2022 will also see 20 brand new ski-in, ski-out chalets built using local materials.

Chatel

If character and authenticity is what you are after, then Chatel deserves a closer look when searching for a property investment. The beautiful mountain architecture features chalets that date back to the 16th century and the Abondance Valley is classified as an “Area of Art and History”. 26 1-4 bedroom new apartments are due for completion in 2023, and a new development labelled ‘Imelda & Gaby’ features 22 stunning freehold apartments that are set to be ready for 2022. Perle de Savoie is another exciting new development with 52 French ski apartments, located in the centre of the village offering glorious mountain views.  

Morzine

Thanks to a considerable amount of investment in local infrastructure, Morzine’s profile has been raised in recent years. Property wise some of the luxurious large chalets may grab your attention if you have a family, or if you’re lucky you may be able to snap up a rare duplex penthouse that offers an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape. If you are working to a smaller budget, the smaller apartments located in the centre of the village could be a good alternative. And for a bite to eat and a few drinks at the end of a long day on the slopes, Route de la Plagne is the place to go. 

Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a small and charming village in Portes du Soleil and features a host of uniquely designed modernist buildings that are set into the nearby mountains. Most of the properties date back to the 60s, with few purpose-built chalets available. The streets are car-free, so to get around you either ski or jump aboard a horse-pulled carriage. 

Champery

Close by to Champery you’ll find the naturally beautiful snowy peaks of Les Dents du Midi, while Lake Geneva is also close by. The village is known for its authentic local shops and restaurants and you can gain easy enough access to neighbouring resorts of Avoriaz and Chatel. In terms of the property market, there are some new build apartments in the village centre compared to other resorts a smaller amount of resale chalets. 

(Photo credit: Baptiste Gousset)