Thomas Randall - Alpe d'Huez Grandes Rousses, Les Deux Alpes - Alpe d'Huez, Huez, Vaujany, Oz, Villard-Reculas, Bourg d'Oisans, Col d'Ornon, Auris en Oisans, Allemond, Les Deux Alpes 1350, Les Deux Alpes 1650, Mont de Lans, Venosc

The Rhône-Alpes, The Southern Alps, The Oisans; this is a wonderful, somewhat 'under the radar' part of France that goes by many names. Stretching South-East from the Departmental capital of Grenoble, those of us who live and ‘play’ here in world-class ski domaines such as Alpe d’Huez, Les 2 Alpes and La Grave or enjoy the magnificent summers of riding, water-sports, hiking and all manor of taking to the skies, are quite happy for this less-well known status. Beautiful, authentic Alpine villages and towns such as Vaujany, Oz, Allemond, Ornon, Besse and Bourg d’Oisans, dot the hills and valleys between the big ski resorts (Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes have more than 450kms between them and are rumoured to be linked in the future). It goes without saying the skiing is great, but when the snow melts, and the prices drop, the range of inter-season and summer activities available is equally impressive. This is a cycling paradise, with no less than 12 famous ‘cols’ (climbs) waiting for you to tackle, none more iconic than the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez, made famous by the Tour de France. Serious hikers and mountain lovers will want to try the famous GR54 - perhaps the toughest, but certainly one of the most beautiful long-distance trails of Europe, which traverses our area. There is just so much to do. My area - or rather, home - provides you with great value for money whether you are seeking to move to France or invest in property for two-season rental as the m² is much lower than in our ‘cousins’ the more famous mountain regions further East. Barns to convert, luxury chalets, town and village houses, ski-apartments, land to develop, the Oisans provides it all.