France is the most visited country in the world and has been the most popular tourist destination for more than 30 years. The country has 317 ski areas and 13 resorts that generate over 1 million skier visits per season. Only the USA has a higher number of total skier visits than France. Around 2 million foreign skiers visit France each winter season. Around 8.5 million French nationals are skiers, who ski mostly in their home mountains.*
The mountains became major tourist destination in the 19th century, from hereon the hotel sector flourished. Ski began to develop in France in the 1930s and Chamonix was joined by other mountain villages, like Mégève. The development of Val-d'Isère, and its first hotels, started in 1932. Méribel was founded in 1938.
In more recent times, huge developments of purpose-built ski resorts and the growth of the résidence de tourisme cencept have taken share from the hotel sector in France. But it has always risen to the challenge. Today French ski resorts such as Val-d'Isère, Megève and Courchevel offer some of the finest hotel facilities and gastronomic excellence in the Alps.
Alpine Property intelligence is delighted to present a selection of fine hotels for sale in France from our partners.
Please note that frequently hotels are for sale "off market", please contact us if you have any specific investment interests.
*Source: Vanat.ch