The east bank of Lake Annecy, between lake and mountains

Set amidst the French Alps, Lake Annecy has four shores including the east bank, also known as the “Rive du Soleil”. The sunniest and, therefore, the most sought-after.

Appreciated for its charm and pleasant life-style, the east bank of Lake Annecy hosts a few typical villages, including Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires, to which can be added Alex, Bluffy and Annecy-le-Vieux.

Backed by the slopes of Mount Veyrier, which rises to an altitude of 1293 metres, Veyrier-du-Lac overlooks the lake and appeals to nature-lovers ; many sign-posted trails offer beautiful walks and unique scenic views of the chain of the Alps and Mont Blanc. The commune is unquestionably the most highly-rated in the area. It also benefits from proximity to the motorways. A location close to the lake, or right at the water’s edge, and the view, are the main criteria justifying the prices of properties here. A pretty villa easily attains 900,000 € or even 1 million. In the case of a private mansion with top-quality appointments, swimming pool and landing stage, prices can soar to 6 or 7 million euros. Such outstanding properties are, however, rarely available for sale. More affordable, village houses can come close to 1 million euros if they are in perfect condition, well-located and with an outdoor area ; though it’s hard to pin-point prices as everything depends on the location. In the village itself, starting prices for older properties can double, from 4,000 to 8,000 € per sq. metre. “Some minor feature may cause the price to drop. The same house 200 metres higher up without a view of the lake will be cheaper,” says Olivier Brechet of Annecy Immo. In high demand, fully renovated apartments in old farmhouses cost around 7,000 €/m2. The price is identical in a new development at the edge of a main road, which compensates for noise from traffic with a beautiful view. Still by the lake, but quiet, the price per sq. metre can then easily reach 10,000 €.

Lying south of Mont Veyrier and north of Le Roc de Chère, Menthon-Saint-Bernard enjoys a strategic position in the foothills of the Massif des Bornes (Mont Veyrier, Roc de Chère and Dents de Lanfon). Here, as in Veyrier-du-Lac, buyers set their sights on a view and being at the water’s edge. A little more affordable, Talloires is known not only for the beauty of its scenery, but also for its gastronomy. In fact, two inns were built many years ago on the banks of the lake to accommodate travellers arriving from Annecy. Many artists, often little known, writers and painters, stayed here and found inspiration. Even today, Talloires prides itself on its numerous restaurants including L’Auberge du Père Bise which hosted prestigious guests such as Charlie Chaplin, the Queen Mother of England, even the Shah of Iran and his wife. A very pleasant village to live in, with its small shops, very close to the nature, Talloires is less expensive than its two neighbours, Veyrier-du-Lac and Menthon-Saint-Bernard. With a budget close on 500,000 €, one can acquire a village house, with apartments starting from 4,500 €/m2. Le Roc de Chère, a major ecological site, is located within this commune : a small promontory of about 170 acres at the edge of the lake, protected since 1977. Its charm is indisputable, though some buyers resist because of its remoteness.

Rural and picturesque, Alex and Bluffy survey the lake and the château of Menthon-Saint-Bernard. A development policy has been put in place, which includes opening up the area by means of an expressway linking Alex to the motorway. The sq. metre here ranges from 2,700 to 3,500 €, and while there are fewer villages houses for sale, rehabilitated farmhouses are in steady demand. A home of 100 m2 priced at 139,000 € will attract a young couple ready to take on renovation work. Then, there’s Annecy-le-Vieux, right at the beginning of the eastern shore, rubbing shoulders with Veyrier-du-Lac. This commune of 20,000 people is witnessing the appearance of new developments with houses priced from 800,000 to 2 million euros. All communes combined, main and second residences share the market, with a clientele which is mostly French. A few Swiss buyers invest in main residences, benefitting from the fact that bricks and mortar are cheaper here than in their country of origin. “Depending on their budgets, we deal with self-employed professionals, doctors and lawyers, but also pilots, businessmen and senior managers,” say Bernard and Benjamin Chamot of Era Alpina “Salaried employees include a significant percentage of people working in Switzerland.” Foreigners, who mostly come for holidays, are Australian, Brazilian, Belgian, Italian and English (to a lesser extent) and share the market equally.

Strangely enough, rentals do not reflect the prices of acquisitions. On the east bank of Lake Annecy, a 1-bedroom apartment costs 800 € per month, a house around 2,000 €. Holidaymakers who book an apartment at the edge of the lake to enjoy water sports or hiking pay from 350 to 400 € per week for a 1-bedroom apartment. They are most often French or Belgian and appreciate the natural scenery and authentic aspect of the destination. In general, the property market in this little corner of paradise, protected from the ups-and-downs associated with the French and international crisis, is still pretty active. “Properties are sometimes overpriced, but their scarcity persuades clients to take the plunge,” says Patrice Dupanloup of Life Style. Between lake and mountains, the “Rive du Soleil” can clearly continue to look at the sunny side of life.

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