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ALBERTVILLE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Albertville is a town which lies in an Alpine valley, close to the border with Italy, in the Savoie department of the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. Once the venue for the winter Olympic Games, Albertville has been designated a town of Art and History since 2003.
ALPE D'HUEZ PROPERTY GUIDE
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Alpe d'Huez is both a mountain and a ski resort in the French Alps. It is perhaps most famous for its role as the most notorious mountain climb in the Tour de France, and since it was first used for the race in 1952 it has rarely failed to feature.
ANNECY PROPERTY GUIDE
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Annecy, capital of the Haute-Savoie department in the high French Alps, is sometimes seen as the Venice of the Mountains, due to its romantic canals and ambience. What sets it apart, however, is the reflections in the water of the towering Alps which sit behind the town…Venice was never like this!
ANNEMASSE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The city of Annemasse, which sits right up against the Swiss border, constitutes the second largest urban development in the Haute-Savoie. It is, however, despite its many shops, supermarkets and commercial enterprises, a large city with a small town outlook on life. Close enough to Geneva to be a satellite town, Annemasse remains calmer and more down to earth than its Swiss neighbour.
BONNEVILLE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Bonneville is a rapidly developing town in an enviable position in the foothills of the French Alps. Popular with residents and tourists alike, the atmosphere is both green, in terms of the unspoiled beauty of the natural resources, and also dynamic in terms of the development of the town, its industries and robust economy.
BOURG SAINT MAURICE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Bourg Saint Maurice is known as the gateway to the Alps. It is, however, a delightful little town in its own right, with pretty cobbled streets and a traditional and delicious gastronomy.
BOZEL PROPERTY GUIDE
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The Alpine village of Bozel, which lies in the department of Savoie close to the Italian border, is an old Savoyard village with a real history and culture, not a purpose built ski resort. It does, however, have access to some of the best skiing in France, as it is located in the heart of the Three Valleys ski areas.
CHAMBÉRY PROPERTY GUIDE
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Chambéry, the capital of the Savoie department in the French Alps, is a fascinating and vibrant city. Set in the valley between the Chartreuse Massif and the Bauges Mountains, it not only has superb access to the ski resorts of the mountains, but also is perfectly placed for accessing the passes into Italy.
CHAMONIX PROPERTY GUIDE
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Chamonix is a name that is synonymous with the very best of Europe's skiing and mountaineering. The resort, which is a traditional village rather than a purpose built resort, lies high in the French Alps in eastern France. It has the distinction of being close to both Italy (at around 20 minutes drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel), and also to Switzerland (accessed over the Col des Montets pass).
CHAMPAGNY-EN-VANOISE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The village of Champagny-en-Vanoise, which lies in eastern France in the Savoie department of the Alps, is more than just a ski resort. Equally beautiful in winter or in summer, the village is a tranquil and friendly place which welcomes visitors warmly, and which prides itself on its unspoiled nature and Savoyard heritage.
CHÂTEL PROPERTY GUIDE
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The village of Châtel lies almost on the border with Switzerland in the French Alps. It is not only a beautiful, historical and fascinating Savoyard village, but also a ski resort, a summer and winter adventure sports resort and a place where you can relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful and unique mountain regions in Europe.
CLUSES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Cluses is an elegant Alpine town that lies between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, giving it a superb geographical location that benefits not only from the proximity of both Italy and Switzerland, but also by offering superb access to the mountain slopes for winter and summer sports and tourism.
COURCHEVEL PROPERTY GUIDE
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Courchevel is best known as the ski resort of choice for the rich and famous… but this is only part of the story. Courchevel, in the French Alps, is actually four separate resorts, each with its own characteristics, clientele and pricing!
CREST PROPERTY GUIDE
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The town of Crest is situated in the Drôme department of the Rhône-Alpes, in south-eastern France. Crest is popular with tourists as not only is it a very attractive old town in a beautiful area, but it also boasts the highest tower in France. This is the castle keep, which sits on the hilltop above the red rooftops of the town.
CREST VOLAND PROPERTY GUIDE
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Crest Voland is a little Alpine ski resort that sits in the Savoie department of the Rhone Alps region in eastern France. Small and friendly, it nevertheless offers excellent skiing for beginners and intermediate level skiers, and has plenty of facilities for non skiing (and summer season) activities too.
DIE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The town of Die, located in the south-east of France in the lovely department of the Drôme, is a beautiful town despite the English interpretation of its name... which, by the way, is pronounced “dee”... not “dye”!
ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS PROPERTY GUIDE
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The spa town of Évian-les-Bains is world famous for its bottled water, and it is frequently the mineral water choice of the rich and famous. The town, from which the water springs and from where it is bottled, is every bit as elegant as its reputation. It possesses a relaxed beauty that makes it a perfect place to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life.
FLAINE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The resort of Flaine, in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps, is a superbly designed purpose built ski resort which attracts all types of skiers, and is especially suited to families. What it lacks in traditional charm it makes up for in excellence of design and location, and all conceivable creature comforts are not only on hand but also instantly accessible. The resort also benefits from stunning natural scenery.
FLUMET PROPERTY GUIDE
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Flumet is a ski village that is located in the Savoie department of eastern France. Located in a beautiful Alpine valley, its snowy winter vistas and green summer meadows make it picture perfect in anybody's book.
GRENOBLE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Grenoble, that grand old lady of the Alps is more than just the capital city of the Isère department. Grenoble is considered by many to be the capital of the French Alps, a place which is a byword for not only some of the finest skiing available, but also for a vibrant city where an exciting modern life sits side by side with history and culture.
LA CHAPELLE D'ABONDANCE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The little village of La Chapelle d'Abondance lies in the French Alps, close to the Swiss border. A traditional Savoyard village, oozing charm and yet with access to some of the best skiing in Europe, La Chapelle d'Abondance is popular with those who appreciate its atmosphere and history as well as its superb location.
LA PLAGNE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The ski resort of La Plagne is one of the biggest and most popular in France. It consists of several "villages" and lies in the Savoie department of eastern France.
LES ARCS PROPERTY GUIDE
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Les Arcs is not so much a town as a combination of four resort villages which form the skiing and mountain section of Bourg St Maurice, situated in the Alps in eastern France. Purpose built, Les Arcs has, in the past, been criticised for its lack of original alpine charm, but in recent times many improvements have been made and a new village created. Aesthetics aside, however, Les Arcs is exactly what it was created to be, which is a superb ski resort where skiing and mountain sports are of paramount importance.
LES GETS PROPERTY GUIDE
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The village of Les Gets, situated in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps, although having experienced massive development over the last ten years as a popular ski resort, is still at heart an authentic Alpine village. There is a vast population explosion in the winter months, taking the village inhabitants from a tiny 1,300 to over 15,000 in the skiing season!
LES HOUCHES PROPERTY GUIDE
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The resort of Les Houches is located in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps, in eastern France. It is a pretty and traditional village, with access to the excellent skiing of the Mont Blanc ski region.
LES MENUIRES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Les Menuires is a ski resort and mountain town that lies in the Savoie department of the French Alps. It has access to some of Europe's best skiing, and is set in the world's largest ski area.
LYON PROPERTY GUIDE
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The city of Lyon, France's third largest city, lies in the east of central France. It is the capital city of the Rhône department, and is situated on the confluence of the Rivers Rhône and Saône. Like Paris and Marseille, the city is divided into nine arrondissements, each having recognisable zones within them.
MEGÈVE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Megève is one of France's longest established ski resorts, and still attracts many of Europe's rich and famous despite being situated at a lower altitude than many newer alpine ski centres. There is certainly a school of thought that proclaims Megève to be the original and the best, and the town has an undeniable charm, with its mediaeval centre and horse drawn sleighs adding to the Christmas card effect.
MERIBEL LES ALLUES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Meribel les Allues is the oldest village in the Three Valleys ski area of the French Alps. This picturesque village is ideal for those who want access to fantastic skiing or other mountain sports, but prefer to have their accommodation in a more peaceful and traditional environment than can be found in the heart of Meribel itself.
MONTÉLIMAR PROPERTY GUIDE
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Montélimar, the home of the famous nougat is a lively and colourful town with wide Parisien style boulevards and interesting museums. Property prices are reasonable.
MORILLON PROPERTY GUIDE
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Morillon, in the Chablais area of the glorious northern French Alps, is so much more than just another ski resort. The old village itself is tiny but charming, and just above it is the purpose built resort of Morillon 1100 (Les Esserts) that provides superb entertainments and facilities in both winter and summer. Both the old Morillon and the new resort can claim to be set in one of the most spectacular parts of France, in a truly stunning location.
MORZINE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Morzine, in the French Alps, is a picture book pretty mountain resort which is as popular in summer as it is in winter. The village lies on the River Dranse, on the Chablais massif, and is a family friendly resort which offers excellent facilities for a multitude of sports as well as enjoyable shopping and great restaurants.
MOÛTIERS PROPERTY GUIDE
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The town of Moûtiers, in the French Alps in the department of Savoie, is known to many as the gateway town to the Three Valleys ski resorts, as this is where the TGV ski special takes people before they go onto their resorts. Moûtiers, however, is much more than this description allows, and is worth more of your time than a quick change of transport! Next time you are passing through, spend a day or two exploring... you just might want to stay!
NOTRE DAME DE BELLECOMBE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The mountain village of Notre Dame de Bellecombe is found in the Savoie department of the Rhône-Alpes, in the east of France. Picturesque and traditional in appearance and atmosphere, it's a great antidote to those occasionally less than pretty purpose built ski resorts, yet it still has access to fantastic skiing!
NYONS PROPERTY GUIDE
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Nyons is a market town which is found in the southern part of the Drôme department in south-east France. Lying very close to the border with Provence, Nyons is considered to be part of the Drôme-Provençal region, and as such benefits from one of the most glorious situations in France.
PRALOGNAN LA VANOISE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The village of Pralognan la Vanoise is a traditional Savoyard village with a long history of welcoming visitors to share the delights of its winter and summer beauty. Set high in the French Alps, the village is a great place for those skiers who like to escape the crowds and enjoy excellent skiing in a peaceful environment.
SAINT ÉTIENNE PROPERTY GUIDE
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The city of Saint Étienne, situated in eastern France, is the capital city of the Loire department of the Rhône-Alpes region. Essentially a centre of industry, the city nevertheless has some interesting historical places and is also a major centre for art and design. It lies in the wonderfully diverse countryside of eastern France, where you can find everything from green hills and valleys to snow-topped mountains.
SAINT GERVAIS LES BAINS PROPERTY GUIDE
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Saint Gervais les Bains is a beautiful spa town which lies in a desirable location at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps. The town is perfect for skiers, but also has enough natural and traditional beauty to charm even non skiers.
SALLANCHES PROPERTY GUIDE
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The market town of Sallanches lies in the Alpine department of the Haute-Savoie in eastern France. With excellent amenities, the town benefits from its location in one of the most beautiful and dramatic places in Europe.
SAMOENS PROPERTY GUIDE
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Samoëns is a lovely ski resort in the French Alps. It is quieter than its better-known neighbours, yet offers lower property prices, traditional character and access to excellent skiing.
SEYNOD PROPERTY GUIDE
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The town of Seynod can be found nestling up against the lovely departmental capital of Annecy in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps. It is a lively and attractive town with a thriving commercial life. It has an enviable geographical position on an important crossroads between several European countries, these being Switzerland, Germany, Italy and, of course, France.
ST JULIEN EN GENEVOIS PROPERTY GUIDE
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St Julien en Genevois is a beautifully situated town in the high French Alps, close to Geneva. Well equipped for tourism, the town offers casinos, nightclubs and mountain sports as well as some of the most dramatic scenery in France.
ST MARTIN DE BELLEVILLE PROPERTY GUIDE
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St Martin de Belleville is a charming alpine town situated at the bottom of the Vallée de Belleville in the Savoie department of eastern France. Close enough to the Three Valleys slopes to provide excellent skiing for all levels, the town is popular with locals and holiday makers alike.
TANINGES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Taninges is a lovely old Alpine town which lies under the shadow of the Pic de Marcelly in the Haute-Savoie department of the French Alps. Close to Geneva and several major ski resorts, Taninges is a great location for lovers of the mountains, whether for winter skiing, summer climbing and walking, or just for the exceptional scenery and quality of life which is offered here.
THOLLON-LES-MÉMISES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Thollon-les-Mémises, a little village in the northern French Alps, is everything you could ask of an Alpine village, and more besides. Picture postcard pretty and with views so stunning that they are mentioned in the Michelin guide, Thollon-les-Mémises is an ideal location for anyone who loves lakes and mountains, in any season.
THONON-LES-BAINS PROPERTY GUIDE
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Thonon-les-Bains lies on the edge of Lake Léman on the French side of the border with Switzerland. With its spectacular lakeside setting and advantageous position at the foot of the Alps, Thonon-les-Bains would be a popular place even if it were not also blessed with some of the best natural mineral waters found in France.
TIGNES PROPERTY GUIDE
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Tignes, situated in the Savoie department in the French Alps, is one of Europe's leading ski resorts. Due to its glacial location, Tignes offers almost year round skiing, closing only a few weeks each year. Tignes was once an old Savoyard village, but sadly this now lies under the waters of the reservoir, so modern "Tignes" consists instead of four purpose built villages and one surviving old village, Tignes les Brévières.
VAL D'ISÈRE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Val d'Isere is one of those skiing resorts whose name you know even if you don't ski. Situated in the Savoie department of eastern France, Val d'Isere has a reputation for superb skiing which goes before any other knowledge of the town. It is, however, a very attractive Alpine town, and has something to offer to everyone... even non skiers!
VAL THORENS PROPERTY GUIDE
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The resort of Val Thorens, in the Savoie department of the French Alps, is the highest ski resort in Europe, and great snow is guaranteed. Val Thorens is purpose built, but has fortunately avoided the soulless expanses of concrete that blight certain other resorts of its ilk, making it an altogether more attractive proposition for property seekers.
VALENCE PROPERTY GUIDE
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Valence, capital of the Drôme department in the south-east of France, is a magnificent old town which lays claim to being the Gateway to Provence. It is certainly easy to agree with this title, as there is a distinctly Provençal feel to the town, with the Provençal colours, the spicy scent of pine and the warm, sun-laden air. Valence, however, is equally well placed to look west to the gorges of the Ardèche or north-east to the mountains of the Alps, as well as south to Provence and the Côte-d'Azur.
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