Pralognan-la-Vanoise, winter and summer resort

Over thirty peaks above 3,000 metres surround Pralognan, a site of predilection for mountain-lovers. From 750 year-round residents, this commune in Savoy at the heart of the national park passes to 6,000 during the winter holidays and 8,000 and in July and August.

Hikers, climbers, paragliders and mountain-bikers benefit from 250 km of marked trails. In fact, the GR 5 and GR 55 major hiking trails pass right through Pralognan, the last village in the Bozel Valley in the Tarentaise. The centre of the village already stands at an altitude of 1400 metres. The first ski jump was inaugurated in 1920. Ten years later, the ice-skating rink opened its doors. Consecration came in 1992 when “Pralo” played host to the curling events in the Albertville Olympics. Today, 35 km of slopes are dedicated to downhill skiing, 26 km to cross-country skiing. Via ferrata, a swimming pool, tennis courts, mini-golf, Tyrolienne..., a full array of the most sophisticated leisure facilities to suit all tastes, in both summer and winter.

“Almost all of my clients are looking for holiday homes,” says Valérie Masson of L’@gence.com. They appreciate the generous fauna and flora of La Vanoise, activities in the great outdoors and the family atmosphere of Pralognan, a 15-minute drive from the domain of La Plagne-Paradiski, 30 minutes from the 3 Vallées (Courchevel/Méribel/Val-Thorens/Les Ménuires) and the spa of Brides-les-Bains. The large majority are French, with a few Belgians and even rarer English clients. Most of them resort to mortgages. Many are looking for small apartments with 1 or 2 bedrooms, ranging from 130,000 to 160,000 €. Some are prepared to invest 250,000 € in a 3-bedroom apartment, or a chalet of 80 m2 with a garden of 300 m2 in a development on the outskirts. When in good condition and enjoying an ideal location, apartments in older buildings cost around 4,500 €/m2 : to find takers, new apartments should not exceed 5,000 €/m2. Seven contracts were signed between February and May for “Les Quatre Saisons”, a development of 16 luxury apartments pegged at 4,800 €/m2. Tourist residences also seem to attract investors, interested in recovering VAT and reducing taxes. Delivered in December 2011, “Les Chalets de Chavière” are currently valued at 4,177 €/m2 + VAT. Whatever the type or price of the property, one buyer out of two ends up by using it for seasonal rentals, a very active segment of the market. “A studio in fact costs 3,700 €/m2, while 1-bedroom apartments start at 4,500 €/m2. Currently, many of these small units are on offer, as studios are not as popular as they were 20 years ago,” notes Carole Favre of L’Agence du Parc. 1-bedroom apartments are the most highly sought-after, except that supply does not correspond to demand : buyers are willing to pay 150,000 € at most, more often up to 100,000 €. But for this price, they are obliged to opt for an apartment with only one main room. One seller is currently asking over 5,500 €/m2. Even for an apartment in a very desirable location and in excellent condition, the clientele for Pralo will not pay that kind of price. Locals who are not already home-owners cannot afford to buy anything on site. And building land is so scarce that transactions are rarely handled by the agencies.

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