La Roche-sur-Foron and Reignier-Esery

The first is home to 11,000 residents, the second slightly less than half. Close to Geneva, these two communes enjoy real economic vitality.

They lie at the crossroads between Le Genevois and Le Faucigny, about 20 kilometres from the canton of Geneva, at the exit from the very dynamic valley of the Arve and at the gateway to the Annecy basin. Close to the A40 motorway, linked to Paris by the Paris-Saint-Gervais Le Fayet TGV line, La Roche-sur-Foron and the neighbouring Reignier-Esery also benefit from proximity to the airports of Geneva, Annecy and Chambéry, not forgetting that of Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, easily accessible on the motorway.

The medieval town of La Roche-sur-Foron is regarded as the second most important town in Haute-Savoie. Its heritage has been carefully restored and its historic centre is rich and lively. Rich thanks to its architectural legacy, lively because it has managed to hold onto small shops still in activity. “The Plain Château neighbourhood has been renovated to respect existing buildings, and is in fact subject to the approval of “Bâtiments de France,” says Boumé Frid of La Roche Immobilier. “Its stone houses of real stylishness are in high demand. In fact, in the historic centre, very few properties come up for sale.” Those who own village houses hang onto them. Choosing to live here means opting for a unique setting, which nevertheless has its disadvantages : no garages and houses without elevators. In 2010, an apartment of 100 m2 in need of total renovation sold for 210,000 €. The Foire Exposition area has a few apartment buildings which have appeared over the past five years. The price per sq. metre ranges from 3,000 to 3,200 €. The more highly-prized neighbourhoods in La Roche-sur-Foron are La Bénite Fontaine, 1.5 km from the centre, and Broÿs. On the Avenue de la Bénite Fontaine, a few high-class residences rub shoulders with modest houses dating from the 1980’s/1990’s. A new apartment costs 3,500 €/m2 versus 2,700 €/m2 for older ones. “A well-maintained “pavillon” of 120 m2 with a garden is priced around 400,000 €,” says Carole Sanchez of L’Immobilier des Rocailles. “As a general rule in La Roche-sur-Foron, it is hard to find a house under 300,000 €.” Moving further out, the accommodation becomes more scattered. The scenery is more countrified, while remaining close to the entrance to the motorway, only 10 km away. Gardens are larger and views of the mountains can be superb. Advantages which draw a clientele of 40 year-olds, already home-owners, ready to sell their properties to acquire 120 m2, for 400,000 € on average, with quality appointments at the entrance to La Roche-sur-Foron. The mountains are not far away, yet chalets are almost non-existent in the municipality ; a few can be found in the small resort of Orange, 12 km from the town, priced at 3,200 €/m2 on average.

Between La Roche-sur-Foron and Annemasse, Reignier-Esery is a very different market. Its proximity to Switzerland is an important factor and its setting is much-appreciated by clients crossing back and forth over the border. Prices reflect the fact, rising 15 % as compared with those in La Roche-sur-Foron. There are no wide discrepancies between the town’s various neighbourhoods, though Esery is probably the most highly-prized area thanks to its 18-hole golf-course. The end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 should see some new developments rise from the ground ; the sq. metre wil be pegged from 3,800 to 4,000 €, some even predicting 4,500 €. Demand is strong, the population continues to rise, the frontier boosts the market. In Reignier-Esery, 90 % of the purchasers are French people working in Switzerland, the remaining 10 % being Swiss. Among the latter, one comes across clients who cannot afford to live in Switzerland and a very small percentage of wealthy buyers looking for properties whose appointments match their budgets. Pers-Jussy, which is part of the canton of Reignier-Esery, is a haven of tranquillity. Here, the price per sq. metre reaches 4,000 € and, in addition to desirable houses, one can find a few farms which have been fully renovated and transformed into apartments. “This area is attracting more and more people,” comments Martine Majet of Les Jardins de l’Immobilier. Then, as in all lively communes playing host to a good number of the actively employed, La Roche-sur-Foron and Reignier-Esery have seen rising prices on their rental markets. Demand is real, and proximity the most important criterion ; according to the INSEE, the number of tenants is 48.5 % for all housing, a figure higher than the national average of 39.8 %. Our estate-agents even say that demand outstrips supply. In Reignier- Esery, rental prices, like those applying to sales, are somewhat higher than in La Roche-sur-Foron. A new 1-bedroom apartment costs 750 € per month, a house 1,400 €. While the closeness of Geneva is a positive factor for the property markets of La Roche-sur-Foron and Reignier-Esery, the two communes also offer quality living standards and a natural environment which holds its own with that of Switzerland.