Ski 'Coucouning-style' in Méribel

Nestled between the sporty Val Thorens and chic Courchevel, the Méribel ski resort embraces its status as an upmarket family village, at the heart of one of the world’s biggest ski areas, the Three Valleys. A new 5* hotel has recently opened its doors, Le Coucou, that combines skiing with “Coucouning”.

Méribel’s unique charm makes it one of the most popular destinations. According to the BARNES real estate network, chalet prices in Méribel have risen 15% in the space of just one year. A record! Premium properties are negotiated at €30,000/m². Such prices mean that real estate in some villages, such as the Rond-Point des Pistes, costs as much as in Courchevel or Verbier. The reason for this is the ambitious policy initiated in recent years to build high-end developments for wealthy European purchasers, in particular by offering large penthouses for sale. These provide an advantageous alternative to chalets. They are spacious, require less upkeep, and, above all, offer multiple benefits thanks to the concierge services available to owners.

The best example of this upmarket positioning is perhaps the opening of a new 5* hotel, Le Coucou, following 18 months of construction. Designed by French architect Pierre Yovanovitch, the hotel runs alongside the Burgin slope, down from the Belvédère district created for the 1992 Olympics.