Discover why Tignes is much more than a world-class ski resort, and why its five distinct villages offer exciting opportunities for a four-season Alpine second home.
In this episode, Steve Thomas heads into the Tarentaise Valley to explore Tignes, a high-altitude resort known for snow-sure skiing, dramatic mountain scenery and its extensive year-round activities.
From its fascinating history and five distinct villages to summer sports, winter skiing and the current property market, Steve looks at what makes Tignes such an appealing destination for second homeowners.
Tignes has a remarkable history. The original village was submerged beneath Lac de Chevril in 1952 following the construction of the Tignes hydroelectric dam.
Today, the resort has reinvented itself at altitude, with five distinct areas offering different styles of Alpine living.
• Tignes-les-Brévières – Traditional Savoyard charm and a quieter village atmosphere
• Tignes 1800 – Peaceful, family-friendly and increasingly modern
• Le Lavachet – A quieter base close to the main resort facilities
• Tignes-le-Lac – The year-round heart of the resort, beside the lake
• Val Claret – High-altitude living with excellent ski access and lively après-ski
Steve explains how each area could suit a different type of second homeowner.
Tignes has developed into a genuine summer destination, centred around its 25-hectare natural lake.
Activities include:
🚣 Kayaking and paddleboarding
🚵 Mountain biking
⛳ 18-hole golf at altitude
🥾 Hiking and trail running
🚴 Road cycling
🧗 Climbing and via ferrata
🪂 Paragliding
👨👩👧 Family activities and watersports
The resort also provides access to the Vanoise National Park and several nature reserves, making it ideal for families and active owners.
Tignes links with Val d’Isère to create a renowned 300km ski area, reaching up to 3,456 metres.
With extensive blue, red and black pistes, snow parks, freeride terrain and beginner areas, the domain caters to all abilities.
Beyond skiing, owners can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledging, climbing, wellness facilities and other winter activities.
Tignes is accessible from several major transport hubs, including Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambéry, while Bourg-Saint-Maurice provides the nearest major railway connection.
Once there, the resort's free shuttle network connects the different villages, making it possible to enjoy a stay without relying heavily on a car.
Steve looks at the current property market, including differences between the five villages, apartment availability, pricing and the appeal of both new-build and resale properties.
He also discusses why Tignes can work particularly well for buyers looking for:
• Strong winter skiing
• Genuine summer usage
• High-altitude snow security
• Rental potential across multiple seasons
• Family-friendly facilities
• A long-term lifestyle investment
Tignes offers far more than a ski holiday. With its combination of altitude, skiing, lake activities, golf, cycling, hiking and year-round infrastructure, it gives second homeowners plenty of reasons to return throughout the year.
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📧steve@alpinepropertyinvestments.co.uk
📧lesley@alpinepropertyinvestments.co.uk
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