The region fronting Savoy, a multi-facetted site

Forming a meeting-point between Savoy, Le Dauphiné and Le Bugey, this contrified area lies at the extreme west of the “département”, between the Rhône and River Guiers, the mountain chain of L’Epine and La Chartreuse. Wide open spaces and affordable property prices attract young workers from Chambéry or even Aix-les-Bains.

Running lengthwise, this pre-Alpine area of 513 km2 offers altitudes ranging from 210 to 1,933 metres. Aiguebelette, France’s third largest natural lake, occupies a central position. Rivers follow the plains, vineyards, forests and mountains. Industry - textiles, plastics, chemicals, electronics, paper production and mechanics - accounts for 1,800 jobs, ie. nearly 45 % of employment in the private sector. Agriculture mainly concerns the production of wine - Jongieux and the region around Allobrogie - and cheese - Tomme de Savoie, Emmental and Gruyère. The commercial sector and local crafts industry are also very lively. Tourism is not forgotten : this immense playground is very poular among cyclists, hikers and water-sport enthusiasts, all under the charm of Lake Aiguebelette. In just ten years, the “Avant-pays savoyard” has welcomed 2,500 new residents from two large activity centres, Chambéry and Aix, giving a rise of over 10 % in its population.

“From north to south, via Novalaise in the middle, one finds communes by the names of Lucey, Yenne, Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, Le Pont-de-Beauvoisin and Les Echelles,” says Catherine Bernardy of Actions Services Immobiliers. The region is an unending series of picture postcard landscapes, dotted with villages accommodating from 1,500 to 2,000 residents. Since the 1970’s, the A43 motorway, reinforced in 1992 on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Albertville, has cut across the area east to west. In the last decade, with soaring prices for properties in Chambéry, younger workers decided to move out a 15-minute drive from their workplaces. Today, there are still some building lots available, proposed from 55 to 95 €/m2 without mains connections. With a budget of 95,000 €, a buyer can quite easily acquire a plot of 1,200 to 1,500 m2. For the same amount, he would get about 700 m2 on an estate on the outskirts of a large town. There are also still a few farm buildings on offer, often consisting of two parts, awaiting refurbishment or already restored. One seller is currently asking 350,000 € for this type of building, comprising living space of 140 m2 and a barn of 90 m2. The classic villa, described as “savoyarde” because of its steeply sloping roof, varies depending on its age and technical condition from 1,900 to 2,300 €/m2. A magnificent view of the lake or La Chartreuse, a good-sized garden and top-quality appointments naturally push up the price.

“The Territorial Coherence Plan, to be completed in 2012, highlights two trends : the end of widely dispersed construction in favour of concentrated areas showing more concern for the natural environment, and the creation of an inter-communal policy, allowing for overall objectives and combined resources,” explains Catherine Bernardy, who looks forward to this long-term approach, which is clearly of interest to future buyers.

Alexandra Marchante and Carole Coffin of Kalex’Imo handle the area near La Dent du Chat, at the gateway to L’Ain, towards Yenne, Lucey and the hills covered with vines. Differences here include higher temperatures and less snow, as well as access to Chambery and Aix through the free Dent du Chat tunnel. Of course, Lake Aiguebelette is no longer a mere 3 km away, as is the case for Novalaise. Here the land is less expensive than in the rest of the region. 1,200 m2 will cost 80,000 €, or 700 m2 55,000 €. “Reflecting each owner’s precise needs and desires, building one’s own home is more satisfying than buying a finished property,” says Alexandra Marchante, a specialist in urban planning. When you order the construction work yourself, a home of 110 m2 with a garden of 1,000 m2 costs around 200,000 €. An equivalent property will be offered for re-sale at 230,000 €. Moreover, buyers are not mistaken : the segment was definitely more advantageous in 2009 than in 2008.

Popular among first-time buyers, a village house in perfect condition, with living space of 140 m2 opening out to a garden of 200 m2, is priced around 194,000 €, which gives 1,385 €/m2. As for villas, there are noticeable differences between the two banks of the Rhône. In Département 01, a new 1-storey villa of 110 m2 will sell for 199,000 €. Currently, an example of 140 m2 in an elevated position with grounds of 2,300 m2 on the Savoy side attains 265,000 €. With the crisis, holiday home-owners are becoming scarce. The vast majority of buyers with a budget of 220,000 € focus on acquiring on their main homes. The top end of the market, which starts at 400,000 €, faces competition from the capital of Département 73, Aix or Annecy. “Although winter is traditionally quiet, the past six months have left us feeling hopeful,” say our experts. “The spring could well confirm the end of the crisis.”