Valberg and Auron, a buoyant property market

1 hr 30 from Nice, these mountain resorts are wonderful places for getting away from it all for people living in the département of the Alpes-Maritimes. With skiing in winter, hiking in summer, they offer families a wealth of outdoor activities.

Located in the valley of La Haute-Tinée, the resort of Auron offers holidaymakers the largest skiing domain in the Alpes-Maritimes. Its typical village attracts both families and sports enthusiasts. Between Le Haut-Var and Le Haut-Cians, the resort of Valberg is just as charming. For both summer and winter sports, mountain-lovers are spoilt for choice.

“In Auron, apartments are concentrated in the centre of the resort,” says Dario Griffone of the Agence Edouard VII. This property expert who works in Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin has also been covering Auron for the past year. “The most frequently sought properties are 2-bedroomed apartments from 50 to 75 m2, at prices ranging from 5,000 to 5,500 € per sq. metre. It is usually families looking for generous sleeping accommodation who target this type of property. We currently have several apartements for sale in the Voie du Berger area. The “Chalets Louise” residence is comprised of apartments ranging from 2 main rooms to split-levels on the top floors, in two high-end chalets. These properties offer quality appointments including, for some, terraces, panoramic views, double garages and ski lockers. Their prices range from 290,000 to 850,000 €.” This is an area seeing real expansion with a good number of property developments making their appearance, including several chalets undergoing construction around the centre of the village resort. “Our clients are from the Alpes-Maritimes, Monaco in particular and its nearby area,” explains Dario Griffone. “They are mainly executives and senior executives, acquiring a second residence in order to benefit from mountain activities with their children.”

“Valberg is a large family resort offering both summer and winter activities, though it is also surrounded by very charming small villages such as Beuil, Les Launes, Péone and Guillaume. Buyers can find properties here in a peaceful environment at less expensive prices than in the resort,” says Fabrice Albin, manager of the Agence Akorimmo and responsible for maison06.com, an on-line site specializing in the sale of houses in the Alpes-Maritimes. “The most popular type of property is a small studio or 1-bedroom apartment with living space of 30 m2 on average, priced from 80,000 to 110,000 €. Prices naturally vary depending on condition and appointments. If you are prepared to be a little further out from the resort of Valberg, prices are 20% cheaper.” Very keen on this area, people from Nice, especially families, invest in second homes for a few years, then sell their properties when their children have grown up. “In Valberg and the nearby area, houses usually need renovating, and prices range from 2,000 to 2,500 € per sqm. High-spec chalets with living space of 150 m2 on average cost from 600,000 to 700,000 €.” An appealing but seasonal market. The resort of Valberg and small villages in the valley usually draw buyers’ interest during the summer and winter holidays, when visits are possible. “Over the past year, we have noticed strong interest in the market on the part of investors,” adds Fabrice Albin. “They acquire properties, rent them out on Airbnb, while benefiting from them in the low seasons. The market in the valley is currently very buoyant.”