Before construction of the tunnel of L’Epine, La Combe de Savoie, 37 km long, was the only route leading to Chambéry, Albertville, the valleys of La Tarentaise, La Maurienne and Chamonix. If it is no longer of strategic importance, the region remains active on the economic and tourism fronts.

Home to 6,150 residents in all, Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny, Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, Cruet and Fréterive form the community comprised by the communes of La Combe de Savoie. Lying between the Massifs of Les Bauges, Beaufortain, Les Belledonnes and La Chartreuse, the region overlaps its official catchment area to extend as far as Montmélian. Wine-buffs appreciate the score of different labels which include two “appellations d’origine contrôlée”. Mountain bikers knock themselves out on the 270 km of tracks, a circuit bearing the label of the French Cycling Federation. Finally, fans of authentic buildings love the region’s old stones and fortified castles such as Miolans at Saint-Pierre-d'Albigny, a medieval hamlet that has been perfectly restored.

“La Combe de Savoie caters for a majority of people working in Chambéry, a 15-minute drive away, Albertville, 25 minutes, and Grenoble, 30 minutes, or even the ski resorts of Haute-Maurienne,” says Monica Tornicelli of Laforêt Immobilier. Their budgets generally range from 190,000 €, bringing a basic “pavillon” of 90 m2 with a garden of 600 m2, to 250,000 €, the price-tag for a comparable property with superior appointments and a larger garden. Since the adjustment of prices on the market, the rather listless bracket between 300,000 and 350,000 € faces competition from nearby towns. Of all the sales handled by this estate-agent in 2009, one-sixth concern young retirees from Lyon or Paris, able to invest 400,000-450,000 € in a traditional house of quality with living space of 150-180 m2, in grounds of 2,000-3,000 m2 facing the mountains. Building land is also doing well. La Combe offers opportunities at prices that are still affordable : 130-140 €/m2 versus 200 €/m2 near the Prefecture of Savoy. First-time buyers opt for village houses : priced from 70,000 to 180,000 €, these typical homes are comparable to an apartment without the disadvantage of co-ownership fees. Finally, early 19th-century farms to renovate are still the star feature in this region. Offered at 180,00-200,000 €, an example of 400 m2 with grounds of 3,000 m2, requiring total renovation except for the roof, has generated a considerable number of telephone calls. In this category, demand is real, though often hampered by a chilly reception from the banks.

“Accessibility to Chambéry is a determining factor. Communes on the periphery such as Barberaz, La Ravoire, Saint-Alban-Leysse and La Motte-Servolex are very popular, like all localities combining proximity to the motorway network, a full range of amenities and a pleasant setting. After a drop of around 10 % for old apartments and 8 % for houses, first-time buyers, attracted by lower interest rates, seem to be making a comeback,” says Anne-Marie Folliet of Loft’n Co. Immobilier. Usually capable of raising 150,000 to 200,000 €, they set their sights on an attractive 2-bedroomed apartment in the urban area of Chambéry, as villas pegged at 2,500 €/m2, ie. 250,000 €, are beyond their means. Most transactions recorded in the apartment sector are below 350,000 €, the amount required for 100 m2 of living space in good condition extended by terraces, and below 600,000 € in the case of houses. The upper end of the market corresponds to living space of 170-200 m2 in grounds of 900-1,000 m2 within the inner circle.