That's La Plagne contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. I never recommend anything I haven't experienced myself, and the commission helps me keep this site running at full speed! See my Disclosure Policy for extra information.
Buying property in La Plagne: estate agents, immobiliers and businesses for sale
So you’ve fallen for La Plagne and you’re wondering whether you could have a little place of your own here? You’re in good company. Whether it’s a ski-in, ski-out studio, a family apartment or a chalet in one of the valley villages, buying in resort is a big decision, and the agent you choose makes all the difference.
In this guide I’ll tell you who I’d buy with myself, which estate agents (immobiliers) have offices in each La Plagne village, the basics of how buying property in France works, and what to know if you’re thinking of buying a business here.
And if you’d like an introduction to an agent, just email me and I’ll put you in touch.
My top pick: Leggett Immobilier and Fi Cowx
If you’re looking to buy in La Plagne, Fi Cowx at Leggett Immobilier is who I’d buy with myself, and she’s who I’d send a friend to.
Fi’s been in the region longer than I have. She first came out to La Plagne for a ski season back in 1993, working for a tour operator (same old story!), and later made it her home. She’s Scottish, speaks fluent French and is incredibly well connected with both the British and French communities here. She knows the resort, the buildings, the people and the paperwork, and what she doesn’t know about La Plagne isn’t worth knowing.
Leggett is an English-speaking estate agency that sells property right across France, and Fi covers La Plagne and the wider Paradiski area. So you get local knowledge, plus someone who can explain the French buying process in English and in plain terms.
La Plagne estate agents by village
Most estate agents in La Plagne sell property and manage holiday rentals, so you’ll see the same names when you’re booking a holiday apartment. Here’s who has an office in each village. Fi at Leggett covers the whole resort.
| Village | Estate agents and immobiliers |
|---|---|
| Plagne Centre | MCS Immobilier, Oxygène Immobilier, Mountain Collection Immobilier |
| Belle Plagne | Oxygène Immobilier, Mountain Collection Immobilier, Maeva Home (mostly holiday rentals) |
| Plagne Bellecôte | Mountain Collection Immobilier |
| Plagne 1800 | Maeva Home Plagne Lauze (mostly holiday rentals) |
| Montchavin-Les Coches | Michel Gedda Immobilier, Immobilière des Glaciers, Mountain Collection Immobilier, GSI Immobilier (Les Coches), Maeva Home |
| Plagne Montalbert | L’Agence d’Auré, Eneo Immobilier, Mountain Collection Immobilier |
| Champagny-en-Vanoise | Champagny Agence by Roc Blanc |
| In the valley (Aime-La Plagne) | Aime Immobilier, Agence Tarentaise Immo Sud Est |
| Other La Plagne agencies | GSI Immobilier La Plagne, Alp Agence, Agence Centrale de La Plagne |
Listings change all the time, so it’s worth registering with two or three agencies and telling them exactly what you’re looking for. Lots of properties are listed with more than one agent, and the good ones go quickly.
MCS Immobilier in Plagne Centre
If you’d like a second agent on your list, Matthieu at MCS Immobilier is another one I rate. He has an office in Plagne Centre, so popping in for a chat is as easy as grabbing a coffee, and there’s an English-speaking local on the desk if you’re worried about the language barrier.
Matthieu is a long-time resident with lots of local knowledge, and MCS has a good mix of resale apartments and renovation projects, plus rentals. If you’d like me to introduce you, just drop me an email.
Which La Plagne village should you buy in?
It depends on how you’ll use it. Here’s a rough guide:
- For skiing from the door: the high-altitude villages, like Plagne Centre, Belle Plagne, Plagne Villages and Plagne Bellecôte. Most property here is apartments in residences, and they’re popular for holiday lets.
- For a village feel and chalets: Montchavin-Les Coches, Plagne Montalbert and Champagny-en-Vanoise. They’re lower down, surrounded by trees and have more of a traditional village feel.
- For living here all year: the valley towns like Aime-La Plagne, which have schools, shops and services open all year round.
If you don’t know the villages well yet, have a read of my La Plagne villages guide, where I compare all 11.
How buying property in France works
The French buying process is quite different to the UK’s. Here are the main steps:
- Make an offer. Your agent will put it to the seller. Once it’s accepted, things move on to the contract.
- Sign the compromis de vente. This is the preliminary contract, and it’s legally binding. You’ll usually pay a deposit, often around 5 to 10% of the price. You can add conditions, for example getting a mortgage.
- The 10-day cooling-off period. After you sign, you have 10 days to change your mind without penalty.
- The notaire does the checks. In France a notaire (a public official) handles the legal side of the sale. This part usually takes a couple of months.
- Sign the acte de vente. You sign the final deed at the notaire’s office, pay the balance and get the keys!
Costs to budget for
- Notaire fees: roughly 7 to 8% of the price on older property, and around 2 to 3% on new builds.
- Agency fees: these vary, so check whether they’re included in the advertised price.
- Charges de copropriété: the service charge for apartments in a residence. Ask how much they are and what’s included.
- Taxe foncière: the annual property tax you pay as an owner.
Good questions to ask
- What are the annual service charges, and are any big works planned for the building?
- Can I rent it out as a holiday let, and does the building have any rules about that?
- Is it ski-in, ski-out, or how far is it to the nearest lift and shops?
- Is there a ski locker, storage or parking?
I’m not a lawyer or financial adviser, so do get independent legal and tax advice before you buy. A good agent will point you to English-speaking notaires and specialists.
Renting out your La Plagne property
Lots of owners rent their apartments out when they’re not using them, and most of the agencies above can manage that for you. The rules for holiday lets in France have changed a lot recently, including registering the property with the local mairie, so ask your agent what applies to the property you’re looking at.
It’s also worth joining the La Plagne owners’ Facebook group, where owners share tips and recommendations.
Buying a business in La Plagne
If you’ve ever sat on a sunny terrace with a vin chaud and thought “I could run a place like this”, you’re not the only one! Bars, restaurants, shops and chalet businesses in La Plagne do come up for sale, and buying one is a very different process to buying a home.
Businesses here tend to sell quickly, so rather than list what’s on the market (it goes out of date fast), here’s how it works and who can help.
Where to find La Plagne businesses for sale
Ask the local agents first. Fi at Leggett Immobilier and MCS Immobilier both sell bars and restaurants in La Plagne, and some of the other agencies above handle commercial sales too. Businesses are also listed on French sites like Cession PME and ATC Immo, so search there for “La Plagne” or “Aime-La Plagne”.
Fonds de commerce or murs commerciaux?
These two terms come up on almost every listing, so it’s worth knowing the difference before you fall in love with one.
- Fonds de commerce (the business): you buy the right to trade, including the fixtures and equipment, the name, the licences (like an alcohol licence), the customers and the existing lease. It’s the most common type of sale in ski resorts and costs less upfront, but you’ll pay rent to the landlord.
- Murs commerciaux (the premises): you buy the building itself. There’s no rent to pay and it’s a long-term asset, but the price is much higher.
Sometimes the two are sold together. So a bar listed at €150,000 might be the business only, with monthly rent on top, while a listing in the millions could include the building as well. Always check what’s included.
Paying for it, and the costs to budget for
People fund resort businesses in lots of ways, including releasing equity from a UK home, a business loan from a French bank (you’ll need a solid business plan) or going in with friends or family. As well as the price, budget for:
- Notaire and legal fees
- Due diligence and surveys
- Staff contracts, and any handover support from the current owners
- Renovations or updates
Who can help
For finding and buying the business, I’d start with Fi at Leggett. For the French admin side, from accounts and business set-up to staff contracts, Viv Faulkner-Andrews at Aster Management is brilliant, and explains French bureaucracy in plain English. Speak to a notaire before you sign anything too, as the paperwork is heavy and the stakes are high.
Buying property in La Plagne: FAQs
Can British people buy property in La Plagne?
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in France. Since Brexit, though, British owners can only spend 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area without a visa, so bear that in mind if you’re planning long stays.
Do I need to speak French to buy in La Plagne?
No. Fi at Leggett Immobilier speaks English and fluent French, and several La Plagne agencies have English speakers. The legal documents will be in French, so ask your agent or notaire about translation.
How much are notaire fees in France?
Roughly 7 to 8% of the price for older property, and around 2 to 3% for new builds. Your notaire will give you an exact figure.
Who is the best estate agent in La Plagne?
My top pick is Fi Cowx at Leggett Immobilier. She’s who I’d buy with myself. She’s lived in the area for years, speaks English and French and knows La Plagne inside out. Email me and I’ll introduce you.
Are there bars and restaurants for sale in La Plagne?
Yes, they come up most years, but they tend to sell quickly. Ask Fi at Leggett Immobilier or MCS Immobilier what’s available, and check French listing sites like Cession PME. See buying a business in La Plagne above for how it works.
Can I rent out my apartment when I’m not using it?
Usually, yes. Most La Plagne estate agents also manage holiday rentals. Check the building’s rules and the current holiday let rules with your agent before you buy.
Planning a family ski holiday?
Get my free Ski Holiday Planning Pack: the Ski Holiday Reset Planner, the Ski Lessons & Ski Hire Guide, the Accommodation Guide and the Transfer Guide, written by a local mum of three to help you plan your La Plagne trip.
