Buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a large region in southeast-central France, stretching all the way from the Italian and Swiss borders to central France.
It’s a popular region for international buyers in France, attracted by the skiing, the beauty of the landscape and how easy it is to get there from all over Europe. It is especially popular with buyers from the UK, Switzerland and Belgium.
Why buy a home in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a fine place to live or own a holiday home in France. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise as you can enjoy all the activities that mountains and their foothills offer. That includes skiing and hiking in the Alps, kayaking down the rushing rivers, swimming in the Ardeche (who needs the sea?), spotting wildlife including eagles, chamois and ibex, or just relaxing in the gorgeous countryside. It’s all within easy reach of the UK and Paris.
The region is home to The Vercors Regional National Park, a protected area of forested mountains in Villard-de-Lans, a small town in Isere that scores highly for its health system and sports amenities.
Cities like Lyon, Grenoble and Annecy offer bustling city life with an authentic French feel.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has several spa towns, due to its high elevation and lakes that offer natural springs. Vichy is home to Europe’s largest spa. Others include Allier, Bourbon l’Archambault. Each boasts thermal baths and belle epoque architecture. These areas are particularly popular with tourists and provide ample investment opportunities for businesses and gites nearby.
There are several ski resorts and towns in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. One of the best includes Val d’Isere/Tignes which scores 4.6 out of five stars on SkiResortInfo, which rates resorts based on a number of different criteria, including location, size, slope preparation and staff friendliness.
Other popular resorts include Les Trois Vallees and La Plagne.
The Forteresse de Polignac, in the Auvergne
What can you buy for your money in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
The property market in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is dynamic due to its sheer size as the third-largest region in France.
There are so many options for property buyers in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. They include the eastern side of the French Alps, where alpine and ski properties are in abundance. You’ll also find world-class ski resorts there and great hiking routes.
Lake Annecy lies in Haute-Savoie. Its lake is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and scenic setting. The department borders both Switzerland and Italy so there is a mix of cultures in the area which are reflected in its towns. The department prefecture (capital) is Annecy, where apartments make up 94% of the market, while the remaining 6% is made up of traditional half-timbered houses and chalets – perfect for a typical alpine experience.
Approximately one-third of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is forest, so buyers have a wide choice of country homes and picturesque villages.
Property prices in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are typically higher than in Nouvelle-Aquitaine but more affordable than in the neighbouring region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Recent data from Notaires revealed that the average property price for a resale home was €425,900 in Lyon, €377,200 in Grenoble and €243,900 in Saint-Etienne. Overall, the average property price in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is around €325,000, which could get you a three-bedroom home.
As for apartments, the average price per square metre is as follows: €4,890 in Lyon, €2,580 in Grenoble and €1,220 in Saint-Etienne.
Steps to buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Define your criteria: Determine what you’re looking for in terms of property type, location, budget and must-have features.
- Research: Use online resources, visit local real estate agencies and explore the area to find properties that match your criteria. Book your place at the Your Overseas Home Virtual Event.
- Speak to a currency expert: Moving exchange rates is a risk in international property purchases, so discuss managing that risk with a forward contract that fixes your exchange rate.
- Legal considerations: Familiarise yourself with the French property buying process, including the role of the notaire, who handles the legal aspects of the sale. Contact an independent lawyer at this stage.
- Financing: Investigate mortgage options if required. French banks offer loans to non-residents, but it’s advisable to compare rates and terms.
- Book your viewing/scouting trip: Download the guide, contact estate agents and book your tickets.
- Making an offer: Once you find a property you like, you can make an offer. If accepted, you’ll sign a preliminary contract (compromis de vente or a promesse de vente) and pay a deposit.
- Completion: The final sale is completed when the acte de vente is signed at the notaire’s office, and the balance of the purchase price is paid.
Costs of buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
When buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the buyer is responsible for notaire fees, which include taxes, and average 7-8% of the property price (or 2-3% for new homes). You will also need to consider estate agent fees (although often included in the property price) and homeowner taxes.
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