Whether you’re seeking alpine adventure, lakeside tranquillity or a bustling French city life, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a diverse and compelling property market. With excellent infrastructure, endless outdoor activities and strong rental potential, it’s easy to see why people are buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
From ski chalets in Haute-Savoie to spa town houses in Allier, this let us walk you through why so many choose Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – and how to make your move there a success.
Contents
- Why buy in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
- Where to consider buying
- Property types and prices
- Steps to buying property
- Buying costs in the region
Buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, puts you on the doorstep of the slopes in Tigne
Why you should be buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
As France’s second-most populous region, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes offers a rare combination of lifestyle, investment potential and natural beauty. It stretches from the peaks of Mont Blanc to the fertile plains near Clermont-Ferrand, making it one of the most geographically varied parts of the country.
Buyers are drawn by the region’s diversity. You could hike or ski in the Alps, explore the volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne or stroll through UNESCO-listed cities like Lyon. Thanks to high-speed trains and well-connected airports (including Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Geneva just across the Swiss border), it’s also among the most accessible regions in continental Europe.
Healthcare and education standards are high, and cities like Grenoble and Annecy frequently score well in national quality of life rankings. International schools, excellent hospitals and innovation hubs all contribute to this. The local economy, powered by industries ranging from agriculture to aerospace, provides confidence in long-term growth and security for property buyers.
From a lifestyle perspective, the region supports year-round leisure, with skiing in the winter, mountain biking and kayaking in the summer, and gourmet dining any time of year – this is the heartland of French gastronomy, after all.
For a closer look at purchasing property abroad, grab you free copy of our France Buying Guide:
Where to consider buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
With such a vast region, pinpointing the right location is critical. Your decision will depend on your priorities – whether you’re after a rental return, a holiday bolt-hole or a permanent home.
If you’re a winter sports enthusiast or seeking high rental yields, Haute-Savoie and Savoie are strong options. Iconic ski resorts like Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Deux Alpes draw tourists year-round. Properties here may command a premium but offer high occupancy rates due to snow-sure conditions and summer tourism. After all, the secret to an in-demand ski property is buying near a lake.
Further west, the Auvergne departments – including Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal and Allier – offer peaceful settings and significantly more affordable houses. These are ideal areas for buyers seeking renovation projects, space and scenery. Towns such as Le Mont-Dore and Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise still benefit from mountainous settings and ski access, at a lower cost of entry.
Urban living is at its best in Lyon, a gastronomic and cultural capital. With strong transport links and a growing tech and medical research scene, it appeals to both investors and lifestyle buyers. Grenoble is a high-performing academic city, while Annecy’s lakeside charm and cross-border appeal make it a favourite with professionals working in Switzerland.
Spa towns like Vichy and Bourbon-l’Archambault enrich the region’s appeal further. With elegant belle époque architecture and natural springs, they attract both tourists and retirees, creating opportunities for secondary homes and short-term rentals.
Property types and price in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The property market in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is as varied as the landscape. From alpine chalets to riverside stone cottages and modern flats in lively cities, there’s something for every buyer – and budget.
In Lyon, the largest city in the region, resale property prices are around €425,900 on average, while flats cost roughly €4,890 per m². Grenoble comes in slightly lower, with homes averaging €377,200 and apartments at €2,580/m². Further south in Saint-Étienne, you can expect even more affordability, with average home prices around €243,900 and flats at just €1,220/m².
For alpine property, Haute-Savoie and Savoie command the highest prices, especially near ski resorts. A well-positioned ski-in/ski-out chalet can exceed €750,000, though smaller apartments in resort villages may start from around €250,000.
In quieter areas like Allier or Cantal, traditional stone houses in good condition can sell for as little as €100,000. Renovation projects start from under €50,000, ideal for those looking to create a home with character – or a high-value rental.
The majority of apartment stock is found in cities such as Lyon and Annecy. In Annecy, nearly 95% of the housing market consists of flats, many with views over the lake or mountains. Here, typical apartments sell from €320,000 onwards depending on location and amenities.
Steps to buying property in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Buying in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes follows the same legal process as anywhere in France, but non-resident buyers should approach with careful planning and professional support. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, step-by-step:
1. Define your objectives: Identify your key criteria – location, property type, budget and intended use (holiday home, rental or permanent residence).
2. Start your search: Browse property listings online, attend digital property events like those offered by Your Overseas Home, and speak to local experts with experience helping international buyers.
3. Secure currency guidance: Given that property prices are fixed in euros, working with a foreign exchange service helps protect your budget from rate volatility. Tools like forward contracts lock in exchange rates, helping avoid unpleasant surprises at completion. Explore your options with Smart Currency Exchange.
4. Legal support: Select a bilingual notaire or French-qualified solicitor. They will manage the legal process and ensure that contracts are clear and compliant.
5. Arrange financing: If you require a mortgage, consult a broker early. French banks lend to non-residents but expect 20–30% deposits, along with detailed income documentation.
6. Visit or view remotely: Book viewings or use virtual tours to assess properties. Consider joining a Your Overseas Home viewing trip for tailored advice and access to local experts. For more detail, download your copy of our Viewing Trip Guide.
7. Make an offer: If your offer is accepted, you’ll sign a Compromis de Vente and pay a 5–10% deposit.
8. Finalise the deal: The sale completes when you sign the Acte de Vente at the notaire’s office and pay the remaining balance.
The whole process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Take your time, ask questions and lean on specialists where needed.
Buying costs in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
As with any French property purchase, there are several additional costs beyond the sale price – some mandatory, others negotiable.
One of the largest is notaire fees. For existing homes, these average 7–8% of the sale price and include taxes such as the droit d’enregistrement. New properties attract lower fees of around 2–3%, making them more cost-efficient in the short term.
Estate agent fees can range from 3–6%, often included in the asking price. It’s important to clarify in advance who is responsible for paying these – the buyer or the seller – as practice can vary.
There are also annual ownership costs to consider. These include:
- Taxe foncière: A land tax paid by the property owner each year, based on size and location.
- Taxe d’habitation: Although now largely abolished for primary residences, it may still apply to second homes in some areas.
- Copropriété charges: For apartments in shared buildings, expect monthly or quarterly fees for maintenance of communal areas.
If renting out, you may also need to register for specific tax regimes. Whether you let the property as a gîte or on long-term contracts, a local accountant can guide you through declarations and help you reduce exposure by deducting allowable expenses.
For buyers outside the eurozone, currency costs are not to be underestimated. A small fluctuation can shift your cost by thousands. That’s why engaging a currency specialist like Smart Currency Exchange early in the process is, well, smart.
Start your property search in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with confidence
At Your Overseas Home, we help international buyers every step of the way – from choosing the right region and finding estate agents, to understanding taxes and managing currency.
Want to explore this beautiful region for yourself? Speak to a specialist today to take the next step. Discover why so many buyers are making Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes their home away from home.
