British demand for french ski property hits 10-year high

Like many countries in Europe, France has seen conditions become significantly more favourable for international buyers in recent months, thanks to the weak single currency. Indeed, the pound has recently been at a seven-year high against the euro. Combined with low mortgage rates and inflation, French property has become a more affordable option for buyers.

Earlier this year, the decision by Switzerland to unpeg its currency from the euro prompted a downpour of fresh enquiries from British buyers in France.

"France is 14 per cent cheaper than 10 months ago," said Lloyd Hughes, of Athena Advisors. "And Switzerland is 15 per cent more expensive than 3 weeks ago."

Now, developer MGM has reported its own record sales figures, with transactions reaching the highest level in a decade.

"By last summer, our UK office had achieved its sales target for the year ending December 2014," says Richard Deans, of MGM's London office. "This year the pace is even hotter; by Easter we had already made half of the sales we had aimed to secure by the end of 2015."

The company is optimistic about the rest of 2015, thanks to a range of other activities on offer in the French Alps. Even with the snow melting as the ski season ends, there is "growing interest" in summer holidays in the Alps, thanks to the rising popularity of hiking and biking, Deans tells World Property Channel.