The authentic charm of timber chalets

Radia Amar - 29 March 2019

An essential symbol of Alpine and mountain culture, the all-wood chalet has made a strong comeback since the years 2000. The quest for authenticity and natural materials has restored its letters of nobility. Conjuring up a warm, inviting lifestyle, it attracts clients ready to pay top dollar for the most prestigious examples.

Covering the entire Bassin des Aravis and as far as the area around Annecy, the bilingual family-run agency Aravis Holidays has been based in Le Grand-Bornand for the past 10 years. Specializing in rental management for high-end properties and sales of top-notch homes, the agency usually has about ten timber chalets – from 700,000 to 1.6 million euros - on offer in its portfolio. “These wooden chalets are seen as the properties with the most charm throughout the Bassin des Aravis,” says agency manager Samuel Gidet. “Homes here are traditionally designed with concrete foundations, then a timber framework on two floors. The municipalities in fact impose a construction charter to this effect, aiming to preserve the region’s genuine charm. Buyers of holiday residences search for local character, whether in Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod or La Clusaz. Our authentic local architecture makes it possible to perpetuate the harmonious atmosphere which appeals so much to buyers from Paris, Lyon, Brittany, Switzerland or Belgium. Concrete buildings clad with wood, built in the 1960’s and 1970’s, in fact sell less quickly.” By way of example, Samuel Gidet mentions a chalet built in 2012 in a quiet spot facing the skiing domain. Offering stunning views of the Aravis mountain chain, this bright chalet of 130 m2 with high-quality appointments is on offer at 980,000 €. “Old farmhouses renovated in today’s taste are also highly-prized. They are often priced at around 1.5 million euros, depending on their location and surface area. Very rare, they sell quickly, and when a farmhouse in need of renovation comes up for sale, it usually finds a taker within one week.” And prices in general ? “We are enjoying a period of stability with a slight rise for top-quality properties in prime locations. The trend is certainly upwards, but reasonably so.”

Based in Arêches for the past 37 years, the Agence Immobilière du Beaufortain regularly handles sales of timber chalets. “They embody traditional local homes,” says Etienne Mathoré. “Old chalets surrounded by Alpine pastures are deeply anchored in our minds as being typical of mountain life. It is this lifestyle which many buyers would like to enjoy.” Properties of good quality with lovely outlooks sell easily, even though their prices remain firm. “The most sought-after surface areas range from 150 to 200 m2. Then there are small pieds-à-terre from 50 to 70 m2, small rehabilitated “mazots” with lots of charm, priced from 300,000 €. As for modern properties offering high-spec appointments in Les Saisies, Hauteluce and Arêches, they can exceed 1 million euros.” One example mentioned by Etienne Mathiré, an exceptional chalet of 373 m2 built in Arêches in 2013, offers a bright cathedral lounge and 4 en-suite bedrooms. Its high-quality appointments include a gym, a jacuzzi and a sauna with champagne bar. Yours for the taking, at 1,890,000 €.