You have probably never heard of Serraval but don't let that deter you. This lovely little village sits at the bottom of the Tournette mountain in the Aravis. Rather than a pure ski destination it should be viewed as an alpine retreat, although the nearest skiing is only 12 km away in Manigod (which links into La Clusaz), while the atmosphere in the village has remained very typical of rural France.

The house itself has a lot of character and history, seeing as it was built in the late 18th Century and once belonged to a cousin of the King of Sardinia. It features a wonderful vaulted cellar which is listed in a local museum as a prime example of the architecture of that era. Thankfully, the accomodation has been substantially upgraded since 1783, and total renovation has brought all modern comforts.

The first level comprises a large double garage, entrance hall and a utility room which is also used as a Summer kitchen. On the main floor a very pleasant open kitchen opens to a large living room with a traditional fireplace and dining area. A large double bedroom, WC and bathroom complement this level. Up a flight of stairs one discovers a mezzanine, which can be used either as a study or TV room, as well as three double bedrooms, a bathroom and WC.

Although this property may be off the beaten track, its attraction lies in the fact that such character and space would cost more than twice the money in nearby ski resorts. It would make a very good holiday residence for those who are not necessarily hard-core piste bashers or for a family looking for a large house for permanent relocation in the Alps on a moderate budget.

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