Haute-Savoie spans the widest range of elevations of any French department, from 250 metres on the Rhône at Seyssel to the 4,810-metre summit of Mont Blanc, bordering both Switzerland and Italy. This makes the department distinctly international, popular with buyers from across Europe. Grounded in Alpine and lakeside history, Haute-Savoie is home to Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps for the canals threading through its medieval old town, and to Chamonix, one of the world's oldest and best-known ski resorts. Outside the main visitor towns, buyers will find Évian-les-Bains, giving its name to the mineral water bottled from its springs, and the wider Portes du Soleil ski area. Haute-Savoie is equally known for its dual-season appeal, with lakes for summer and slopes for winter within the same department. A mountain climate brings warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Property choice ranges from a ski chalet in one of the department's renowned resorts, an apartment in Annecy or a lakeside property along Lake Geneva. With mountains, lakes and international connections, it remains one of the most sought-after departments in France. The average house price in Haute-Savoie stands at €4,116/m².