The Espace Diamant is a grouping of 6 mountain villages in the Val d’Arly and surrounding area. The villages are Praz-sur-Arly, Flumet, Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Crest-Voland Cohennoz, Hauteluce and Les Saisies. Each village has its own unique character and traditions, the feel is very much traditional rather than purpose-built, despite the whole area being interlinked by 162 ski slopes across a ski area of 192km.
Praz-sur-Arly (1035m) is a pretty village just 4km up the valley from Megève, yet the resorts do not share the same ski area. But the proximity to the neighbouring Evasion Mont Blanc area allows you to choose whether you would like to make the short journey by car or bus. Continue up the valley to the equally pretty Flumet (1069m) and then Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe (1150m). Crest-Voland and Cohennoz are at 1230m and the highest village is Les Saisies at 1650m. On the other side of the area, in the Beaufortain range, sits Hauteluce (1150m).
The slopes face in every direction and the terrain varies from treelined slopes to high alpine with amazing views over to Mont Blanc. To ski from one end of the area to the other requires 8 lifts one way and 9 the other. The area is particularly well suited to beginners and intermediates with 68% blue runs, 26% red and 6% black. There are no gondolas, the connection lifts are all chair lifts and the rest are T-bars and buttons. The slopes are well groomed, perfect for cruising. 18 mountain restaurants ensure plenty of dining options on the mountain and there are plenty more in the base stations, particularly Les Saisies. Snowboarders have 5 snow parks to choose from and 3 boarder cross, though there is no half pipe. The area was the venue for the 1992 Olympic cross country and biathlon with 120km of trails. There are also 20km of winter hiking paths and 45km of cleared snow-shoe trails.
The Espace Diamant is a wonderful area to explore in the summer with all of the usual activities on offer. There are 26 itineraries to explore across 375km of MTB trails, the lifts system and ski buses are all adapted to transport mountain bikes. Hikers have a huge choice of paths across the region, all with wonderful views of the surrounding mountain chains. Other activities include swimming, rock climbing, paragliding, golf etc.
The best resort depends on what you're looking for. France offers everything from world-famous destinations such as Courchevel and Val d'Isère to traditional Alpine villages with a more relaxed atmosphere. We can help you identify the resort that best matches your lifestyle, budget and skiing preferences.
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign buyers purchasing property in France. Whether you're looking for a holiday apartment, family chalet or permanent mountain home, the buying process is well established for international purchasers.
French resorts offer a wide range of properties, including modern ski apartments, traditional Savoyard chalets, luxury residences and new-build developments. Availability varies between resorts, with some offering more village-centre apartments and others featuring larger standalone chalets.
Many French Alpine resorts are thriving year-round destinations. During the summer months, residents can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golf, lake activities and a variety of festivals and events, making them ideal for extended stays throughout the year.
Our team has extensive knowledge of the French Alps and can guide you through the different regions, resorts and property options. We take the time to understand your requirements and help you narrow down the locations that best suit your needs.
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