Written by Tim Stanley – IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY . . .’BEAR CUBS’ OFFER YEAR-ROUND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY TO PROPERTY BUYERS

The owners of new homes taking shape in Cohennoz , a small Savoyard village hidden in the Beaufortain Massif region of the French Alps, are likely to be sniffing the air in August each year.

That is the month in which villagers in neighbouring Crest Voland celebrate their annual bread festival and, if the breeze is in the right direction, the delicious smell of freshly baked bread filling the streets may waft its way over to Cohennoz .

The woodland location, in what is said to be one of the most beautiful mountain settings in Europe, inspired French developer MGM to name its new development Le Chalet des Oursons .

“Although les oursons – bear cubs – are unlikely to be spotted by the hikers and mountain bikers who enjoy this area throughout the summer and autumn, fishing in the river running through the nearby Gorges de l’Arly, and wet-suit ‘canyoning’ down the rapids, are among local leisure pursuits which help to give it year-round appeal,” explains Nathalie Turchet, MGM’s London-based sales manager.
Facilities to enjoy other sports as different as tennis and paragliding are among those available nearby.

MGM’s development comprises seven chalets together containing 100 apartments ranging from one-bedroom homes with floor areas of 32 sq m to four-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex properties of 95 sq m. They have pine finishes with tiled and parquet floors, and MGM has exceeded the regulation standards for acoustic and thermal insulation.
Externally, the scheme includes a communal pool – a unique feature in an Alpine development of this type – and, in keeping with MGM’s policy of using local natural materials wherever possible, the chalet buildings are clad in timber.
Occupying a quiet, sunny location on the edge of the forest, with panoramic views, the first of the new homes will be ready for occupation at the end of this year.

They are available for outright purchase at prices which start at euros152,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Says Nathalie: “Once again, MGM has demonstrated its skill in identifying a development opportunity in a ‘hidden’ location with big potential. Prices in the Beaufortain Massif are much lower than those in other valleys and the scope for capital growth is considerable.”

Nathalie predicts that Le Chalet des Oursons will have a special appeal for investors because the properties could be let during the winter as well as the summer months.

The development is only 300 metres from the ski lifts connecting the village with the 280 km of piste in the Espace Diamant ski area which includes Les Saisies , the 1992 Olympic resort for the cross-country ski event.

MGM expects the Espace Diamant – well-known in France but still undiscovered by many British skiers – to rival some of the larger ski areas in the French Alps before long. It says that the owner of a two-bedroom apartment in Cohennoz could expect to achieve a February peak week rental income of around euros1,500.
The popular ski resort of Megeve is a 20 minute drive from Cohennoz .

Geneva Airport is 90 minutes away by road.

For more information
MGM French properties
Kingsland House
122 – 124 Regent Street
London W1B 5SA
Telephone 0207 4940706 in the UK
Telephone 01 5290152. in the Republic of Ireland
www.mgm-constructeur.com

Media enquiries
Tim Stanley of
Tim Stanley Public Relations

Tel : 01179 625 658