Chamonix

Background

Spreading out along a valley in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is one of the oldest and best-known ski resorts in the world. Once an agricultural village inhabited by sheep farmers, tourists began to visit the area thanks to two English explorers, William Windham and Richard Pocock, who stumbled across the valley in 1741. By documenting their surroundings and expeditions in various literary journals, they prompted a number of visitors who came to Chamonix in search of adventure among the glaciers and rocky terrain of the mountain.

However, it was not until Savoie rejoined France in 1860 that tourism began to develop, as new roads were built and access to the valley improved. The fashion for winter sports at the beginning of the 20th century aided the growth of the town and the decision to host the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix put it firmly on the map, bringing international recognition. Now a sprawling resort which welcomes 2.5 million visitors a year, Chamonix is a hugely popular destination both in summer and winter and is regarded as the alpine capital of the world.

Profile

There is a wide choice of property types available in Chamonix, from apartments in the centre of town to stunning mountain chalets with panoramic views over the landscape. A few luxury chalets for sale are not far from the historic centre of Chamonix while some others are located further out from the centre in the areas of Les Tines and Les Bois as well as higher up in the valley in the villages of Argentiere, Montroc, Les Frasserands and La Tour. In recent years new development have been available for local and international property buyers in the form of prestigious new chalets as well fully renovated farm houses.