Buying a Property in Méribel with Alice Autran Garcia, Athena Advisers.

There are plenty of reasons to buy a property for sale in Méribel, not least it’s pretty, chalet-style architecture, wooded surroundings, and friendly village atmosphere. However, its main reason is its central position in France’s huge Les Trois Vallées ski area.

Méribel has discrete, bourgeois charm even though it was actually created by a British skier almost a century ago. You can spend all day practicing all kinds of alpine sports as well as snowmobiling, snow-shoeing or mountain hiking as well as ice skating.

With a full array of family-friendly facilities and a sporty but calmer atmosphere than neighbouring Courchevel, Méribel is a popular choice for both ski property investors looking to buy a chalet or apartment, and those looking for a base in Les Trois Vallées.

The majority of Méribel’s chalets were built in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and the needs and standards of modern-day skiers have changed a lot since then. Today, this means that newer properties finished to a high level are in demand and tend to work better on the rental market.

“What people like in Méribel is the sunny aspect because the resort is mainly south-west facing, and in fact, the mountain in front is quite far away, so there is nothing to obstruct the natural light, so you can enjoy the sun until the last sunrays of the day, which is quite nice. Many of the resorts are in the shade at 1pm or 2pm, but thanks to its very nice position, Méribel is very sunny.” (Charles Antoine Sialelli, Destination Adviser, Athena Advisers)

At an altitude of 2,000 metres and with an amazing ski domain, it’s easy to see why Méribel remains a truly popular place to both visit and call home.

Not only does Méribel have a diverse collection of neighbourhoods, but it also has an excellent variety of ski properties for sale. In le Rond Point des Pistes, Méribel’s highest and most prestigious address, piste-side Olympic-era hotels are being transformed into premium ski-in ski-out apartments and chalets with exceptional on-site facilities. This means that there is an exciting opportunity window of opportunity for investors who want to own an apartment or chalet right on the slopes.

Further down, Méribel Centre and Méribel Village offer a good mix of ski apartments and ski chalets for sale ranging from larger hamlet-style developments with amazing services through to intimate boutique projects. 

Wherever you decide to buy a chalet or apartment in Méribel, you can expect traditional chalet-style architecture which complements the existing buildings as there are strict building codes in place to help the resort maintain its authenticity.

What people like about Méribel is its sunny aspect. The resort is mainly south-west facing and the mountain in front doesn’t obstruct the natural light so you can enjoy it until the day’s last ray of sun. In addition, as the properties here are staggered out in a stadium-like style, many properties for sale in Méribel have unobstructed views over the valley.

In terms of atmosphere, Méribel is more sporty than its neighbour Courchevel and has a real family-friendly spirit with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy throughout the year. Due to its exceptional infrastructure and entertainment for families, Méribel has been awarded the prestigious Famille Plus label.

In Méribel, prices vary considerably and the higher you are in the resort, the higher the property prices tend to be. This means that it is possible to find a property to suit most budgets. Le Rond Point des Pistes, Méribel’s highest and sunniest neighbourhood, is the most expensive part of the resort with high-end properties with views fetching as much as €26,000 per sqm. Charles Antoine-Sialelli, Head of Alpine Operations for Athena Advisers, shares his expert advice and recommendations if you are interested in buying a property for sale in Méribel.

Owning a property in Méribel is not only a fantastic lifestyle investment but it can be an interesting financial investment too. One of the most popular resorts in the Three Valleys, Méribel had one of the best occupancy rates in the French Alps in 2019, according to the latest ski property report from UBS. Plus, the resort was named the 11th best ski resort in Europe 2019 in CN Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. If buying a new-build property, owners can access the VAT rebate programme too which will enable them to recover the 20% VAT from the property purchase price, providing that certain conditions are met. In addition, there is potential for capital appreciation as the individual villages of Méribel continue to grow and improve their facilities.

Le Rond Point des Pistes

Méribel’s highest and most premium addresses are le Rond Point de Pistes and the nearby Belvédère area which is slightly higher up. Le Rond Point is delightfully sunny thanks to its dominant location and even benefits from an extra hour of sunshine when compared to the rest of the resort. Le Rond Point des Pistes has a great selection of restaurants and bars, including some of the most famous après-ski spots in the resort.  Properties for sale in Méribel's Rond Point des Pistes area include spacious piste-side chalets and ski-in ski-out apartments with impeccable on-site facilities.

Méribel Centre

Located at the heart of the resort, Méribel Centre has a fantastic range of ski shops, restaurants, cafes and bars along with its famous Route du Centre. Plus, you will find the ESF ski school here.

Méribel Morel

Set at 1,600m Méribel Morel is positioned between Méribel Centre and the Rond Point des Pistes. Méribel Morel has an excellent range of shops, local amenities and restaurants on the doorstep and it is easy to access the amenities of the Rond Point or Méribel Centre either on foot. with its own ski lift and lower prices than the nearby Rond Point des Pistes, chalets and apartments for sale in Méribel Morel can be a smart investment for those who want a larger property for their budget.

Méribel Village

Located lower down than the main part of Méribel, this picturesque mountain village is composed mainly of large chalets and exudes Savoyard charm. Though away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of the resort, Méribel Village has everything on its doorstep: an acclaimed bakery, a convenient supermarket and superb restaurants.

Over the past five years, the Rond Point des Pistes area has undergone an exciting period of renovation with Olympic-era hotels being transformed into stunning apartments for sale, injecting a new lease of life into this prestigious part of the resort.

Alongside Courchevel, Méribel has been chosen to host the 2023 World Ski Championships and as a result, the resort is undergoing another wave of revitalisation. Two of the blue pistes in the Roc de Fer area have been upgraded into red pistes for the 2020 ski season. Not only is this good news for those who plan to rent out their Méribel ski property as there will be increased demand during the competition, but the resort is also undergoing another wave of revitalisation ahead of the games. Two of the blue pistes in the Roc de Fer area have been upgraded into red pistes for the 2020 ski season. Plus, the local snowmaking facilities will be improved and there will be a skiable tunnel so that skiers can still enjoy the slopes during the competition.

The brainchild of Peter Lindsay, a keen skier and Scottish colonel, who saw the potential of this beautiful resort after visiting Les Allues, Méribel was founded in 1938. Lindsay’s vision was to create a ski resort which was in harmony with its environment so strict building codes were introduced and they are still honoured today which is why all of the buildings here are constructed in a Savoyard style with sloping roofs and made from local materials.

By the mid-1950s there were around 17 hotels and 40 chalets in Méribel. Brigette Bardot and the Duchess of Bedford were two notable people who owned a property in Méribel during this period. The resort continued to expand upwards and outwards over the decades with new ski lifts and pistes being added. Méribel’s place on the map was consolidated in 1992 when Méribel hosted the ice hockey competitions and the women’s alpine events for the Winter Olympic Games.

Part of the Three Valleys ski domain, the largest connected ski area in the world, sunny Méribel has 600km of groomed pistes on the doorstep, catering to all abilities. As well as a diverse ski offering, the resort is broken up into five distinct areas, each with a different atmosphere and appeal. One of the liveliest resorts in the Three Valleys, Méribel has a fantastic après-ski scene with an excellent array of restaurants, including the Michelin-starred L’Ekrin, and bars to choose from. One après-ski spot not to miss is Rond-Point which is located on the slopes and plays live music every day.

Should you ever fancy a break from skiing, there are plenty of activities to enjoy off the slopes too such as ice skating and swimming at the Olympic Sports Centre or treating yourself to some well-deserved relaxation at one of the resort’s spas.

Whilst skiing is the main draw, Méribel is perfect for summer holidays too with an excellent range of outdoor activities including hiking through the Vanoise National Park and playing a round of golf at the 18-hole course in the Altiport area. Last year the resort was named the 11th best ski resort in Europe 2019 in CN Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

It is also a great destination for cycling enthusiasts. Last year, the Tour de France passed through Méribel along the new Col de la Loze path. Reaching 2,304m in altitude, Col de la Loze was the highest point of the 2020 tour and it is expected that Méribel will make a regular appearance in future events.

With so much to do year-round, it is easy to see why property for sale in Méribel is so sought after.