Alsace, France's smallest region in the north-east corner of France, attracts thousands or skiers and tourists every year due to its Vosges mountain range and desirable location between France and Germany and as such is a popular region for overseas property buyers.

Alsace is also famous for its regional dishes, Christmas markets, numerous nature reserves and vineyards. Among the grapes grown in the region are the famous Riesling varieties – usually associated with the vineyards of Germany and Pinot Noir – the red grape of Burgundy – as well as the Tokay-Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Blanc grapes.

Alsace's semi-continental climate means that the region is popular with wine-loving tourists and other pleasure-seeking visitors all-year round, making rental properties in the area popular and returns high. With cold and dry winters and hot summers, the Voges protect the region from the west meaning that Alsace property buyers won't experience the precipitation which often dampens holidays in other areas of the country. The city of Colmar in the region also has a sunny microclimate and is the second driest city in France, with an annual rainfall of just 550 millimetres.

Thanks to the three airports in the Alsace area, namely Strasbourg, Basel-Mulhouse and Baden Baden, the region has good international connections with visitors and property buyers also able to access the area by train – the Eurostar to Paris connects to the TGV line and Paris-Strasbourg line at Gare de l'Est.

Alsace's capital, Strasbourg, is an important base for the European Union and the region also has good road links to Paris. Last year Alsace properties in Strasbourg and its suburbs experienced a 17 per cent rise in capital appreciation and this figure is set to rocket in the next two years as the city is linked by TGV to the UK, Germany and other parts of France, increasing its importance as a central hub in Europe.

Strasbourg is also host to some of Europe's most prestigious companies as well as international business and organisations, and with low levels of unemployment and more and more people migrating to the city for work, premium Alsace property is very scarce.

"Strasbourg is mainly popular with the French and German market but does have some other foreign interest as well," says Niclas Dowlatshahi, Managing Director of Leapfrog Properties Europe. "The long-term letting market is good and many tourists visit for the Christmas market. However L'Orangerie district is in very high demand and as such prices of Alsace property for sale in Strasbourg are very expensive, fed by the German market across the border. Renovation projects are scarce so expect to pay a premium to live here."
 
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Article first published 21 January 2008