Living in Crozet: between ski resorts and 5-star tourism

Inaugurated in 2007, the Jiva Hill Resort (Route d'Harée, Crozet) is the only 5-star hotel member of Relais & Châteaux in the entire Pays de Gex. This unique location makes it a popular destination for a wealthy international clientele: businessmen travelling to Geneva, couples on a romantic getaway, wealthy families looking for spa and nature.

The estate extends over 50 hectares (or 45 hectares depending on sources, or even 123 acres = ~50ha) of greenery at the foot of the Jura, facing Mont-Blanc. Architecture inspired by South African lodges and bungalows in the Swedish archipelago, noble materials (wood, metal, stone), sleek design: the establishment embodies a contemporary vision of discreet luxury .

50 rooms divided into several categories: 12 Superior, 4 Superior with mountain view, 24 Deluxe, 4 Corner Deluxe, 4 Jacuzzi Lodges (with private outdoor jacuzzi), 2 Jiva Hill Suites, 2 Family Suites. Each room has a terrace or balcony, with a view of the Jura, the golf course or Mont-Blanc.

The Spa : 17-meter heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, fitness room, Nordic Spa, 200+ works of art exhibited throughout the resort. Treatments and massages by appointment.

Le Golf : 9-hole course (Jiva Hill Golf Club) integrated into the estate, accessible to residents and members. Putting green, driving range, classes possible.

Gastronomy : 2 restaurants run by chefs Jean-François Vasseur (bistronomic French cuisine at the Jiva restaurant) and Francesca Lazzari (Italian flavours at the Garden). Bar, room service, neat breakfasts.

Crozet is one of the gateways to the Mont-Jura resort (merger of the Crozet-Lélex, La Faucille and Mijoux areas). The Fierney gondola, located on the municipal territory, allows you to go directly to the resort from Crozet in a few minutes.

Mont-Jura resort has 60 km of alpine ski slopes (28 slopes), 170 km of Nordic skiing/snowshoeing trails, altitude 900-1,680 m. During the winter season (usually December to March), the people of Crozet can ski after work or at the weekend without taking the motorway.

2,152 hectares of the municipal territory (out of a total of 2,720 ha) are classified as a protected natural area within the Regional Natural Park. Crozet is officially one of the gateways to this park which extends over the High Jura Chain.

Summer: hiking (marked trails accessible from the village), mountain biking, trail running, paragliding. Winter: snowshoeing, ski touring, Nordic skiing, downhill skiing.

This mountain dimension structures the Crozet way of life. Many inhabitants regularly practice outdoor activities, have ski/snowshoe/mountain bike equipment, and enjoy nature on a daily basis.

The municipal territory of 27 km² (2,720 hectares) is made up of three distinct entities:

Crozet (the capital): main town with town hall (Place de la Mairie), Saint-Jacques and Saint-Philippe churches, shops, schools. It is the administrative and residential center.

Villeneuve : hamlet to the north, strong rural character, houses spaced out, absolute calm. Remains of the Château de Rossillon (11th-12th century) nearby.

Avouzon : hamlet to the east, rural atmosphere, recent housing estates mixed with old farms.

This fragmented structure offers a variety of living environments: you can live in the village with services on foot, or choose a hamlet for maximum mountain isolation.

8 km from CERN in Geneva, Crozet is home to Point 3 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located 120 metres below the municipal territory. This is one of the points where the particle beam is monitored and equipment called "collimators" absorbs the deviant particles.

This invisible but fascinating presence of the world's largest particle accelerator adds a scientific dimension to the Crozet identity.

With only 11 transactions in 2024, the Crozetois market remains modest in volume. This weakness generates statistical volatility but also reflects a stable population that sells little.
Prices have increased by +13.54% in 5 years and +11.35% between 2023 and 2024, reflecting the growing attractiveness of cross-border workers looking for mountains + Geneva proximity.

From 440 inhabitants in 1968 to 2,416 officials in 2023 (2,463 estimated in 2026), Crozet has been multiplied by 5.6 in less than 60 years (+420% over the period 1968-2021).

Projections: 2,409 inhabitants in 2026, 2,537 in 2030 according to linear regression models. Sustained growth that should continue, driven by the attractiveness of the mountains + Geneva.

Nursery and elementary school in the commune. For middle and high school: Gex (8 km) or Ferney-Voltaire (10 km).

Some local shops in the village (bakery, grocery store). For important races: Saint-Genis-Pouilly (5 km), Gex (8 km), Ferney (10 km).

Very high-speed fibre optics available since 2010 (LIAin network deployed in partnership with the Syndicat Intercommunal d'Électricité de l'Ain).

To Geneva : 15 km, i.e. 15-20 minutes off-peak, 25-35 minutes peak hours. Geneva-Cointrin Airport: 10 minutes.

To CERN : 8 km (several access points including Point 3 on municipal territory).

To ski resorts : Mont-Jura accessible by Fierney gondola from Crozet. Other Jura resorts (La Faucille, Mijoux): 10-15 minutes.

Total dependence on the car for daily travel. There is no frequent public transport to Geneva.

Mountain lovers : skiing, hiking, mountain biking, trail running are part of everyday life. If you don't practice any outdoor activities, Crozet loses 50% of its interest.

Wealthy cross-border workers : accepting 15-20 minutes to Geneva in exchange for an exceptional mountain setting + the possibility of skiing after work.

Luxury tourism employees : working at the Jiva Hill Resort while living in the municipality is a major logistical asset.

Partial teleworkers : 2-3 days of teleworking make the few extra km vs Ferney negligible.

Lovers of discreet luxury : living in the town that is home to the only 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Pays de Gex creates a special atmosphere.