Chamonix bans new hotels and holiday flats to tackle its housing crisis, prioritizing locals over tourism as second homes dominate 70% of the town’s housing stock.

Chamonix, the world-renowned ski resort nestled in the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc, has made history by becoming the first town in France to ban the construction of new hotels and holiday apartments. The move, introduced as part of a new urban development plan, is aimed at tackling the severe housing crisis affecting the town’s 9,000 permanent residents, many of whom are being priced out of their own community.

A Bold Move to Prioritize Residents Over Tourism Profits

Mayor Éric Fournier has taken decisive action to curb the rise of second homes and short-term rental properties, which he says have led to an unsustainable housing market. The town’s new urban plan focuses on increasing permanent housing while imposing strict limitations on the development of new tourist accommodations. The goal, Fournier states, is to create approximately 1,000 additional homes for locals within the next decade.

Chamonix’s decision aligns with a growing trend across France and other European nations, where municipalities are fighting back against soaring property prices driven by second-home buyers and investors. In 2024, many French cities introduced hefty tax hikes on second homes, and several regions are considering restrictions on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.

For longtime residents and seasonal workers, the housing shortage has reached a critical level. Speaking to France 2 television, Loris Velle, an employee at a local sports equipment store, shared his struggle in finding an affordable place to live. “All I could find was a tiny 24-square-meter studio for €1,200 or €1,300 a month. That’s just too much, so I had to find accommodation outside of Chamonix.”

A Town Transformed by Luxury Tourism

Chamonix has evolved dramatically over the years. What was once a charming alpine village filled with rustic pubs has transformed into a high-end destination with luxury chalets and champagne bars. A Scottish hotel part-owner recently told The Times, “Chamonix has changed massively since I first arrived 30 years ago, especially in the last 10 years.”

The real estate boom has led to an overwhelming dominance of second homes, which now account for nearly 70% of the town’s housing stock. However, many of these properties sit vacant for most of the year, exacerbating the housing shortage and pushing rental prices to levels comparable with major metropolitan areas.

A Wider European Trend Against Overtourism

Chamonix’s move reflects a broader pushback against overtourism across Europe and beyond. In Spain and Greece, residents have taken to the streets demanding change in tourism policies, blaming unchecked visitor numbers for rising housing costs and economic inequality. Similar debates are taking place in Portugal, Italy, and Croatia, where the influx of tourists is seen as contributing to the cost-of-living crisis.

The French government has already taken steps to discourage second-home purchases by allowing local councils to increase taxes on such properties by up to 60%. In 2024, over 1,500 of France’s eligible 3,500 communes imposed these surcharges, with at least 500 implementing the maximum increase, according to The Connexion.

While Chamonix is the first to enforce a full ban on new holiday accommodations, it may not be the last. As more European destinations grapple with similar housing challenges, other municipalities may follow suit, reshaping the balance between tourism and local livelihoods.

For now, Chamonix is setting a precedent—one that prioritizes residents over profit and seeks to preserve the town’s unique identity in an era of mass tourism.

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