Chamonix, the renowned ski resort at the foot of Mont Blanc, has become the first town in France to ban the construction of holiday flats and hotels to tackle its growing shortage of affordable housing. The popular alpine destination, often called the world's mountaineering capital, is grappling with an influx of second homes, holiday rentals, and hotels, which account for around 75 per cent of the accommodation in the town.
Chamonix's permanent population of 9,000 residents is restricted by the surge of tourists and holidaymakers that boast the town's numbers, often outnumbering locals by up to ten times during the ski season. For many, the dream of finding a permanent home in the area is slipping out of reach, with most chalets and flats lying empty for much of the year. This has led to a rise in property prices, making it increasingly difficult for local families and those working year-round in Chamonix to secure affordable housing.
In response to this crisis, Chamonix's mayor, Éric Fournier, announced the new housing rule, "We've got 70 per cent of second homes now in Chamonix. We think the maximum level has been reached, so we're imposing a rule that any new construction must be dedicated to housing local people year-round." The new regulation aims to prevent the rise of extravagant "XXL chalets" and ensure that new developments cater to the needs of the local population.
The mayor explained that property prices in Chamonix have soared to €20,000 per square metre, comparable to the prices in Paris. To address this, the town council increased the council tax on second homes last year and hopes that new construction or conversions of existing properties will create around 1,000 more homes for locals over the next decade.
Chamonix natives who left the town 20 years ago due to the lack of affordable housing, the new rule is a long-overdue step in the right direction. Chamonix's bold move highlights the growing tension between preserving a town for its residents and catering to the booming tourism industry.
