The French Alps are located in the south-east of the country, cover around 15,000 square miles and encompass two regions – Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes – and four departments: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes (in Alpes-Côte d'Azur), and Savoie and Haute-Savoie (in the Rhône-Alpes). They are also home to the highest point in the entire Alps range, Mount Blanc, which towers to 4,810 metres in the Haute-Savoie department. The Alps have long been one of the country's most popular tourism spots – no mean feat when you consider that France pulls in more than 75 million tourists annually – with the ski and snowboard opportunities in world-famous resorts such as Courchevel, Val-d'Isère and Morillon traditionally being the area's main draw. However, as year round access to many of the well known ski areas of France has improved – Alpine resorts including Grenoble, nearby Lyon and Geneva (just the other side of the Swiss border) are all served by low-cost airlines from the UK – so too have some of the Alps' summer attractions become better known to tourists.

Pleasant average summer temperatures of around 17–19oC, provide ideal conditions in which to indulge in a spot of golf, hiking, mountain biking and watersports. Unsurprisingly, property investors are increasingly taking note of the region's dual-season potential.

Ten years ago, it would probably not be unfair to suggest that around 90 per cent of the tourists who visited the French Alps did so during the winter, primarily to ski. However, be it as a result of global warming, improved year-round access or just a change in tourism tastes, in recent years a new breed of holidaymaker – one who has little desire to launch themselves down the side of a mountain – has started visiting the area. "Their location, the variety of activities and availability throughout the summer has opened up a new way of holidaying in the Alps without the need for lopettes," says Gordon Roughan of Maison Individuelle. "For keen outdoor lovers there is plenty to do and see there in the summer."

Some experts point to the global warming factor as a reason why more people are choosing to visit the Alps during the summer months, stating that warmer temperatures combined with a shorter ski season have led tourism operators in the area looking to lure holidaymakers with new attractions. However, while Fiona Harvey, owner of Premiere Property, agrees that summer tourism in the Alps has undoubtedly picked up, she disagrees that this is as a result of global warming. "The global warming factor seems to be a bit of a myth as this past winter we had one of the best snow seasons in five years," she says. "Sainte Foy (where we sell properties) has invested quite heavily in an artificial snow programme to allay any potential fears. But the Alps are stunning in the summer and have plenty to offer in terms of activities – including rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, golf, long walks with lazy picnics, etcetera." Harvey continues: "There has undoubtedly been a shift away from clients who just want to sit on a beach. This, therefore, makes the Alps very attractive to young families as a dual destination in which to own a property."

Of course, it is not just families and those who wish to make the most of the great outdoors who have had their interest perked by an increase in Alpine summer activity. Investors, too, are fast realising the increased investment potential on offer in a destination which offers them a potential rental clientele all year round. Roughan says that companies such as his are already offering residents the option of letting out their property through a UK-based management company all year round. Yields in excess of 8 per cent should not be unexpected. Improved accessibility – both through low cost flights and indeed TGV travel from Paris – has also been a key factor in lifting purchasing interest in the Alps. "The effect of cheap flights has been to encourage second home ownership throughout France as everything becomes more accessible," explains Nick Leach of Pierre and Vacances Property Investments. "The property market has been given a boost, particularly in and around the French Alps."

So, whether you're looking for a holiday home or investment property with year-round use, the Alps may soon be as lucrative during the summer as it is in the winter.

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Article published July 2008