French properties

A new résidence de tourisme at Val Cenis in the Haute-Maurienne

French ski property developer MGM plans to build a new résidence de tourisme at Val Cenis in the Haute-Maurienne, close to the Italian border, has named the scheme Le Chalet de Flambeau in memory of a legendary local canine postman.

The dog – a German Shepherd – ensured the arrival of the mail between the town of Lanslebourg (now part of Val Cenis) and Fort Sollières, perched high on Mont Froid, during the 1930s. Every day for ten years, summer and winter, at the same time of day, Flambeau – ‘The Torch’ – could be relied upon for the safe delivery of the military postbags.

MGM’s proposed new four-star residence will comprise 197 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with floor areas ranging from 35 sq m to 75 sq m. Those in the first phase will be ready for occupation before the end of 2011.

The new MGM ski résidence de tourisme, Val Cenis

Located close to the ski lift – giving access to around 125 km of pistes – Le Chalet de Flambeau’s position in the sunny valley of the River Arc is expected to make it a destination for year-round holidays. Hiking, horseriding, climbing, paragliding and fishing are among the numerous outdoor activities on offer locally.

As in most MGM residences, facilities will include an indoor pool with a glazed roof, fitness suite, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as a beauty centre with a variety of massages and treatments on offer.

Biggest ski resort

Richard Deans, sales consultant in the company’s London-based UK sales office, says that the site in Val Cenis provides MGM with the opportunity to offer a new generation of ‘affordable-range’ ski properties in the biggest ski resort in the Haute-Maurienne.

Located between two national parks – the Vanoise and Italy’s Gran Paradiso which together create Europe’s largest wilderness area of almost 500 square miles (1,250 square kilometres) – Val Cenis is described by Richard as: “charming, unspoilt and, in some ways, a bit of a time-warp.”

All of MGM’s new leaseback homes are fully furnished and decorated. They have pine internal finishes with tiled and parquet floors. In keeping with MGM’s policy of using local natural materials wherever possible, the buildings are clad externally in timber and stone. Each home comes with cellar storage, a ski locker and underground parking.

Although not yet announced, off-plan prices at Le Chalet de Flambeau are expected to start at around €150,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, excluding VAT at 19.6 per cent which is waived under the leaseback scheme.

For full details of the properties available from MGM call 020 7494 0706 or visit the website http://www.mgm-constructeur.com

A spacious, six-bedroom house with land and a pool near Gaillac (Tarn)

This large country house has been renovated with traditional materials. The property is surrounded by one hectare of land. With six bedrooms (three of them en suite) the house is large enough to house a big family and friends. All this is set in beautiful surroundings just a few kilometres outside Gaillac.

Situated just a few kilometres from Gaillac, surrounded by vines and fields, the property is typical of this lovely region. L-shaped at the rear to form of a courtyard, this gives access to various parts of the house. The careful use of stone, wood and terra cotta tiles makes the property worthy of being in a smart property magazine. There is an attractive exterior metal and wood staircase.

Major improvements that have transformed the property include two new septic tanks, rewiring of the electrics, double-glazing and renewal of most of the roof and an architect’s advice was sought throughout. There is a lounge on one side of the house with the kitchen, then another lounge or dining room, plus another large room measuring 27 m2, followed by a bedroom with its own washroom.

Surrounded by vines and fields, the property is typical of this lovely region

There is plenty of scope for the new owner’s creativity, for the interior staircase is only temporary, one of the lounges needs to be decorated, as do two children’s bedrooms. The house also comes with a cellar, laundry and covered car area.

Price: €660,000

For further information call 0845 123 5885 or go on-line at www.my-french-house.com

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.