Living in Haute-Savoie is great for nature lovers as well as winter sports fans. The region is home to several natural areas. One of the best is the Vanoise National Park, spanning over 53,000 hectares and filled with wildlife such as marmots, ibex, chamois and bearded vultures. There’s also two UNESCO Geoparks - Massif des Bauges and Chablis, filled with unusual karsts, deep canyons and waterfalls.
Haute-Savoie is an ideal region for those who want to be able to travel, with easy access to be able to hop across the border, even for just a day trip. One of the main cities and one of the best places to live in Haute-Savoie is Annecy, an attractive place bisected by rivers and sitting on the shores of the majestic Lake Annecy, surrounded by mountains. Home to around 50,000 residents it has plenty of culture and attractions, as well as its natural beauty.
If you’re wondering about what cities are in Haute-Savoie and are looking for somewhere slightly smaller, but equally as picturesque, Thonon-les-Bains could be just the place. Set on the shores of Lake Geneva, it perfect for those who enjoy sailing and water sports as well as lovers of the outdoors, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, winter sports and white water rafting. The town of Annemasse is another good choice. Located on the other side of the border from Geneva, it’s almost an extension of the Swiss city and sits at the foot of two mountains – Mont Salève (1375 m) and Voirons (1400 m). It’s also a good transport hub, well connected for further travel.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Haute-Savoie will depend on where you live in the region. The city of Annecy is fairly expensive, being in the top 27 percent of the most expensive cities in the world, however, compared to many cities in the UK, you’ll find living in Huate-Savoie to be cheaper. The towns where the main ski resorts are located also have a higher cost of living, compared to some of the other towns and villages in the region.
According to cost of living website Numbeo a single person would need an average of 1,044 per month (without rent) to live in Annecy, while a family of four would need €3817. A meal in a normal restaurant would cost around €15 per person, while a transport ticket costs €1.50.
If you’re looking to rent before buying somewhere, then you’re looking at an average of €843 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre and €1480 for a three-bedroom apartment. To buy somewhere, you’re looking at €8,166 per square metre in the city centre and €5,166 outside the centre.
Summary of weather/air quality
Living in Haute-Savoie means experiencing warm summers, cold winters, and mild springs and autumns. June, July and August are the warmest months, with the hottest being in July with an average of around 21°C. February is typically the coldest month, while December and January are also very cold. In winter the average temperature is around 3 °C. The good news though is that winter is ski time in the region, with plenty of snowfall in the mountains, making it high season in winter too. January, May, June and December are the wettest months of the year, while November is the driest.
Haute-Savoie generally has good air quality, particularly in the mountain regions. However, the Vallée de l'Arve, which lies in between Morzine and Geneva, is known for having below-average air quality due to a high concentration of industry and transport.
History and culture
Savoie was once a very powerful region whose rulers presided over much of the Alps from the Middle Ages onwards. Surprisingly, it has not always been part of France. In 1720 it became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. It wasn’t until 1860 during the Treaty of Turin, that it permanently became part of France.
Haute-Savoie is an interesting part of the country, sitting at the crossroads of three different cultures – French, Swiss and Italian. However, it has its own culture too. Each part of the region has its own traditional dress, as seen through the headwear and embroidery, as well as its own folkloric dances. The region is also known for its woodworking and its basket weaving, which is done mostly around the area of Mont Blanc. It’s also known for its earthenware and pottery, a tradition which dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries.