On the French market

Its that time again when snow arrives across northern Europe and the thoughts of Irish skiers turn to the slopes. Ganly Walters is selling ski apartments at Valloire, a traditional French Alpine village at the foot of the Galibier Pass.

Prices at Les Chalets de la Grande Vy range from €168,000 to €355,000 for one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and duplexes. Sizes are from 31sq m (334sq ft) up to 73sq m (786 sq ft) for the largest units. All come with underfloor heating, wooden shutters and fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms.

The apartments are for sale freehold and owners can contact a recommended agency based in Valloire to arrange seasonal rental.

Valloire's Valmeinier skiing domaine opens from December until the end of May. The area has 150 km of trails with good skiing conditions above 1,430 metres. It has 34 lifts. Completions are scheduled for December 2007.

French apartments near the border with Switzerland go on sale this week, also with Ganly Walters. Les Demeures du Salève is in a rural setting, 16km from Geneva. Buyers can choose between buying as a second home, main residence or through a long-term leaseback arrangement with guaranteed income for nine years.

Prices range from €153,200 for a studio up to €295,000 and €301,450 for three-bedroom apartments of 73.49sq m (791sq ft), with terraces of over 30sq m (323sq ft) and a garage. Studios of 30.57sq m (329sq ft) have no terrace, but include surface parking.

The residence will include eight three/four storey buildings and 158 apartments. There will be a communal heated pool, fitted kitchens, fitted wardrobes and gas central heating.

Those entering into a management agreement to rent have a guaranteed income of up to 4.4 per cent per annum, with rent and charges paid if there is no tenant. A charge of 7.5 per cent of the annual rent plus VAT applies to the first year as a tenant-search cost. The annual management fee is 11 per cent of the monthly rent plus VAT. Completions are from summer 2008.