Many international buyers begin their search in Chamonix. It is the world reference for mountaineering and skiing, and the name people type into a search engine. But the median price of a house there is 13 810 € per m², against 4 262 € in Passy (69 % less), 4 474 € in Sallanches (68 % less) and 7 209 € in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (48 % less). This article explains why it is worth looking at the bottom of the valley too.
The same mountains, different prices
| Commune | House (per m²) | Apartment (per m²) | House vs Chamonix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamonix | 13 810 € | 9 583 € | benchmark |
| Saint-Gervais-les-Bains | 7 209 € | 5 109 € | −48 % |
| Sallanches | 4 474 € | 3 694 € | −68 % |
| Passy | 4 262 € | 3 384 € | −69 % |
Source: DVF register (French tax authority), median prices per m² on sales completed in 2024 and 2025; sales a year = yearly average of apartments and houses. Data checked in October 2026.
What the budget for a 100 m² house in Chamonix buys elsewhere
At the median price, a 100 m² house in Chamonix costs 1 381 000 €. The same budget equals about 324 m² in Passy, 309 m² in Sallanches and 192 m² in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, again at median prices. It is an order of magnitude, not a promise: every property is different, and buying costs come on top of the price.
A valley where people live all year
In Chamonix, 69 % of dwellings are second homes, against 12 % in Sallanches and 12 % in Passy (INSEE, 2023 census). On the valley floor people also buy to live there, not only for holidays. For a buyer who wants to stay often without depending on a resort, that is an argument in itself.
Skiing and hiking stay within reach
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains sits at the foot of the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area: 400 km of pistes between 1,113 and 2,350 m, according to Savoie Mont-Blanc Tourisme. Chamonix remains accessible, further up the valley, and the Mont-Blanc Express train links Saint-Gervais–Le Fayet with Chamonix.
Buying in France when you live abroad
There is no nationality restriction on buying a home in France. The purchase follows the same steps as for a resident: an offer, a preliminary contract (compromis de vente), then the final deed signed before a notaire, with a ten-day withdrawal period for the buyer. In Haute-Savoie, notary costs on an existing property are around 7.5 to 8 % of the price; our financing page sets out the calculation and its sources. We do not give financial or tax advice: confirm your own situation with an adviser.
Letting the property: what changes by commune
In Chamonix and Les Houches, tourist letting requires a change-of-use permit, limited to one per owner. In Saint-Gervais and Combloux a simple declaration at the town hall is enough (the valley communes’ official portal, checked in September 2026). Always check with the town hall before you buy. Letting management is handled separately by Care Concierge, our partner company; buying with us does not oblige you to use it. See investing in the Chamonix valley.
Next step
Our page international buyers sets out prices commune by commune, the steps of a purchase and the letting rules. Sébastien Blasco, our adviser for the Chamonix valley, works in French and English: get in touch with Sébastien.