Why We Love Saint Martin De Belleville in The 3 Valleys

Saint Martin de Belleville sits in the heart of the Three Valleys—the largest ski area on the planet—yet remains refreshingly unspoiled compared to its glitzier neighbours. Whilst Courchevel attracts oligarchs and Méribel draws the British upper-middle classes, Saint Martin has retained its authentic Savoyard charm: traditional chalets with vaulted stables, cobbled streets converging on centuries-old chapels, and prices that won’t require remortgaging one’s London townhouse.

The investment case is straightforward. Average resale properties run around €9,500 per square metre, with new-build developments fetching €11,000-15,000/m²—roughly 20-30% below comparable properties in Courchevel. For anyone seeking Three Valleys access without the Courchevel price tag, the arithmetic is rather compelling. The area is easily accessible from Lyon, Geneva, and Chambéry airports, typically within 90 minutes’ drive.

The Practicalities: Financing and Costs

Financing options follow predictable patterns. Cash remains king, naturally, but French mortgages are available for those with demonstrable income and assets—expect to put down 20-30% as a deposit, somewhat higher than UK requirements. Alternatively, releasing equity from property back home remains a popular route for British buyers, though one should prepare for French notary fees of around 2% on new-builds and 7% on resale properties. These aren’t negotiable, incidentally—notaries in France operate on a fixed-fee basis.

Where to Buy: Villages Worth Considering

Saint Martin de Belleville village itself offers the most vibrant atmosphere—restaurants, bars, boutiques, and immediate gondola access to 600 kilometres of pistes. The Chavannes Express gondola and Perrières Express chairlift connect directly to the Three Valleys network, meaning one can ski to Val Thorens for lunch and Courchevel for afternoon tea, assuming one’s legs hold out.

The skiing suits all abilities. Jerusalem (red run) offers stunning mountain panoramas for intermediates, whilst Mira provides proper challenges for advanced skiers with steep, narrow sections that separate tourists from locals. Beginners have gentler options like Lachenal and Marquette (both blues), winding through forests with forgiving gradients perfect for building confidence without building terror.

Saint-Marcel: Where Michelin Stars Meet Mountain Villages

Saint Marcel, situated at 1,500 metres and just ten minutes’ walk from Saint Martin, represents something rather special. This preserved hamlet has remained largely untouched by mass tourism—steep alleyways lined with centuries-old walls converge towards a chapel, with another, Notre-Dame de la Vie, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley.

The village achieved culinary fame in the 1980s when local chef René Meilleur opened La Bouitte (meaning “the little house” in local dialect). Today it holds three Michelin stars, operates an elegant boutique hotel, and runs the Bèla Vya mountain spa—wellness treatments inspired by surrounding alpine nature. Rather civilised after a day battling moguls.

Saint Marcel offers ski-in/ski-out access (snow conditions permitting) and connects to the Three Valleys via Saint Martin’s gondola. A free shuttle bus links the villages year-round, meaning one needn’t own property directly slope-side to enjoy convenience. Properties here deliver that authentic Savoyard experience—traditional architecture, panoramic valley views, and proximity to cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and forest walks—without the inflated pricing of more prominent villages.

Villarabout: The Quiet Alternative

Villarabout sits minutes from Saint Martin yet feels worlds apart. This small, predominantly residential village attracts buyers seeking peace over nightlife—a handful of shops and restaurants, traditional Savoyard architecture, and direct lift access to Three Valleys slopes. The ski lift connects seamlessly to the network, whilst the village itself offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking for those occasional days when one’s knees require respite from downhill punishment.

Cozy cafes and traditional restaurants serve local specialties, and a small grocery stocks essentials alongside regional products. For families or those operating rental properties targeting guests who value tranquility over après-ski chaos, Villarabout represents excellent value—lower per-square-metre costs than Saint Martin centre, identical Three Valleys access, and a village atmosphere that hasn’t been Instagram-filtered into oblivion.

The Investment Verdict

Saint Martin de Belleville and its surrounding hamlets offer something increasingly rare in major ski resorts: authenticity married with world-class skiing infrastructure, at prices that haven’t yet reached absurd levels. Whether one seeks a vibrant village hub in Saint Martin centre, Michelin-starred refinement in Saint Marcel, or peaceful alpine seclusion in Villarabout, the area delivers Three Valleys access without Courchevel pretension or pricing.

For property investors, the equation is straightforward: prices remain 20-30% below comparable Three Valleys locations, rental demand stays strong year-round, and the area retains genuine Savoyard character that will age far better than purpose-built resort developments. Rather good value, one suspects, particularly before the rest of the market catches on.