Got a couple of million to spend on a chalet in the Alps? Looking for something high-end and luxurious? Megève may be the place for you. Even by the Alps standards, Megève is an expensive place to buy – a couple of million is needed before you can buy a chalet in the area.

However, the resort is top-class. Founded by Baroness Maurice de Rothschild – supposedly after she was sick of slumming it in St. Moritz – Megève is an exclusive ski resort which has always been popular with celebrities. Brigitte Bardot was a fan, and these days you will may rub shoulders with the likes of Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell, Hugh Grant and the Swedish Royal Family.

Located a short drive from Geneva, Megève is a pretty town full of quaint 18th century buildings. Naturally the resort boasts all the trappings you would associate with a top class resort – Michelin starred restaurants, a golf course, health spas and even an annual polo event.

With facilities such as these, it is no surprise that property prices here are steep – a new development of three and four bedroomed chalets near the centre of town starts from around $2 million. However, the chalets are of the best quality and generally boast remote-controlled central heating, large balconies, and underground heated car-parks. For those who haven’t got quite that much cash to spare, a luxury one-bedroomed flat near the centre of Megève will set you back around $900,000.

As is to be expected, properties further from the town centre are cheaper and more square footage can be bought for cheaper prices. For foreign property investors, Megève makes sound sense – there is a large rental market and properties in the area can command up to around $2,500 a week for a one bedroom chalet, and up to $5,000 for a two-bedroom chalet during the peak season. Property prices in the area are also buoyant – local agents estimate that since 2000, property values have increased by around 20% a year.

So, if you are looking for a slightly more unusual place to invest and you have a fair amount to invest, Megève looks like a safe property investment bet.

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