Offering four shows daily six days a week, the Coliseum was a true People’s Palace when it opened, in 1904. The original fare was “variety”, but that didn’t prevent Sarah Bernhardt, WC Fields, Lily Langtry, and Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe from gracing its stage. “It is an emerging market in Europe, and represents one of the best buying opportunities of 2004.”Investors in Property: 020-8905 5511; .Overseas Homesearch: 0870 240 3258; 020-7824 9030; International: 020-7201 2070; . The 19 apartments range from a one-bedroom for Sfr275,000 (£122,000) to a duplex three-bed property for Sfr635,000 (£280,000). Each apartment has a fireplace and balcony, access to ski room, laundry, lift and garage space although the development is just 200m from the train station, eliminating the need for a car.Chesterton International is also marketing two Swiss developments.

The first, in Veysonnaz, is perched above the town of Sion with one-bedroom apartments from £170,000, and two-bed ones from £180,000. Director Sean Collins says: “There is fabulous skiing on the doorstep, with access to the whole Four Valleys region.”In Crans Montana “winter apartments for the jet set” cost around £400,000 but, whether your ski wear came from Prada or Primark, Collins believes that buying in Switzerland is a chance not to be missed. Located at 1,000m, it is 200m from shops, restaurants and the t?cabine that gives access to the pistes of Villars and Les Diablerets, including the glacier. Facilities include indoor pool and on-site manager yet prices start from just £118,182.FPDSavills, meanwhile, is marketing Residence Le Grandvire in Barbeleuse near Villars. La Residence II, meanwhile, 20 minutes’ from Gstaad in Chateau d’Oex, has 15 luxury apartments set in a pretty valley.

“It’s just 20 to 30 minutes’ drive to Verbier, where property is much more expensive,” says Barker. We’ve recently sold properties for as little as £65,000, which is as good value as you could hope to find anywhere.”The company has a range of good-value property including a development in the village of Champex, where two-bedroom apartments start at £106,000. He believes this is because Switzerland has shaken off its image as a playground solely for the rich and famous: “It’s a popular misconception. Phase five buyers will be able to enter into a leasehold arrangement – whereby they agree to rent out the property for a specified length of time – entitling them to a discount of 16.39 per cent off the purchase price.Philip Barker of Overseas Homesearch found that enquiries for Swiss property doubled in the run-up to Christmas. They realise there’s no way their children will be seen dead on beach holidays with them but will come skiing, and this ensures they see them at Christmas.”Prices at Arc 1950’s fourth phase ranged from €160,500 for one-bedroom apartments to between €536,900 and €757,900 for three-bedroom apartments. In summer, they can enjoy a nearby golf course, mountain walks and cycling. But skiing is still the biggest draw, says Malster: “Buyers are often in their late forties or early fifties, with children who are about to fly the nest.