Christie & Co France has successfully supported family-owned group Hôtels Charme & Design, represented by its founders Cécile and Stéphane Rives, in its search for a new investor for the Grand Hôtel de Valloire et Galibier in Savoie. The investor will support the Rives family in carrying part of the property holding, as well as the renovation and extension works.
A historic property aiming for five stars
Located in the heart of the village of Valloire in Savoie, the Grand Hôtel de Valloire et Galibier is a three-star hotel built in 1878. Its transformation, extension and upgrade are intended to take it into the five-star category, a first for Valloire and for the entire Maurienne valley.
The stated ambition is to position the hotel as the resort’s most sought-after address, unique in its category. Cécile and Stéphane Rives also operate several boutique hotels in Carcassonne and Aigues-Mortes.
A mission led by Christie & Co’s Lyon office
The assignment was led by Christie & Co’s Lyon office. According to Boris Duclos, hotel negotiator at Christie & Co France, it highlights the growing appeal of the mid- and high-altitude mountain resort market, as these destinations now attract investors keen to diversify and enrich the tourism offer.
He described it as probably one of the most ambitious hotel projects in recent years for the commune of Valloire, one expected to energise the resort in both summer and winter and to strengthen its position as one of the Alps’ flagship destinations. Duclos said he was delighted to have supported the Rives family in finding a private investor who will back them throughout the project.
A large-scale renovation and extension programme
The project will increase the hotel’s capacity from 37 to 43 units, with the creation of new rooms averaging 25 sqm and a complete renovation of the existing spaces. The contemporary décor will draw on the authentic codes of the mountain chalet, aiming for an elegant, warm and intimate atmosphere.
The restaurant and bar will be fully renovated, with a new layout built around the central fireplace. A modular meeting room is intended to attract a complementary clientele and strengthen the hotel’s business. A wellness area of more than 300 sqm, comprising indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness room, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam, will also be created to meet the expectations of a demanding clientele.
A leisure-led clientele and multimodal accessibility
The future property is designed for a French and international clientele, predominantly leisure (75%) but also business, with premium services. Located at the foot of the ski slopes, the hotel enjoys optimal accessibility by every mode of transport: by air, via Chambéry Savoie Mont-Blanc Airport; by rail, with 28 SNCF stations, 11 of them served by TGV, and connections to Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Germany and Italy; and by road, with 163 km of motorways.
The Savoie market remains active in terms of transactions: YOU Category Hôtelière group recently acquired Hôtel Le 5, a four-star boutique hotel in Chambéry, a deal effective from 12 March 2026.
A timetable set for winter 2028/2029
Works will begin in early November 2026, and the project is expected to be delivered for winter 2028/2029.
Christie & Co, hotel and healthcare real estate advisory
Christie & Co is a European hotel real estate consultancy, present in the French market since 1998, with offices in Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris and Rennes. It advises independent hoteliers, franchisees, institutional investors, operators, bankers, investment funds and family offices on valuation and transaction assignments, such as the recent sale of the Holiday Inn Express Bordeaux Lormont by its Bordeaux office.
Across Europe, the company also has a presence in the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Spain. It is also active in the healthcare real estate market, which currently accounts for 30% of the group’s business and where it aims to establish a stronger position in France.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Grand Hôtel de Valloire targets 5-star status in the French Alps
Christie & Co France advised family group Hôtels Charme & Design on securing a private investor
Room count to grow from 37 to 43 keys, averaging 25 sqm each
New 300+ sqm wellness area with indoor/outdoor pool and spa facilities
Works start November 2026, delivery expected winter 2028/2029
First 5-star property in the Maurienne valley
