Chamonix, France – April 14, 2025 — The Alpine town of Chamonix, famed worldwide as the birthplace of mountaineering and nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, is taking a bold stand against the forces of property speculation and overtourism.
Faced with a steady decline in its permanent population, the municipality has announced a ban on the construction of second homes, in a bid to preserve its social fabric and retain long-term residents.
Over the past 25 years, Chamonix’s population has shrunk by 10%, dropping from 10,000 residents in 1990 to just 9,000 today. Meanwhile, the town welcomes an astounding eight million tourist overnight stays each year, further straining the housing market.
Local leaders cite exorbitant real estate prices—comparable to upscale districts in Paris—as a major factor driving out residents, many of whom can no longer afford to live in their hometown.
“Without locals, we lose our soul,” said Éric Fournier, the long-time mayor of Chamonix. “We are not just a ski resort or a postcard. We are a living community.”
Among those struggling to remain in Chamonix is 30-year-old helicopter pilot Dylan Hatzenberger, whose job is both vital and rare in the area.
After launching his career in Canada, Hatzenberger returned to his native Alps in 2020, hoping to reestablish roots in the region he calls home.
He currently works transporting materials and emergency personnel across the high-altitude terrain, playing a key role in supporting mountain infrastructure and rescue operations.
Despite the stability and necessity of his profession, Hatzenberger has faced significant hurdles in securing affordable housing.
Initially settling in Sallanches—some 30 kilometers from Chamonix—he and his partner, a veterinarian working in nearby Megève, hoped to eventually move back to “Cham,” as locals affectionately call the town.
“Living here shouldn’t be a luxury only tourists and wealthy second-home owners can afford,” Hatzenberger said. “People like us keep this place running year-round.”
Chamonix’s decision to ban the construction of new second homes is part of a broader effort to prioritize primary residences for year-round inhabitants.
The policy aims to curb speculative real estate investments that have made home ownership inaccessible for many locals, particularly young professionals and families.
Housing shortages are not unique to Chamonix, with other scenic regions across Europe facing similar pressures. However, the stakes are particularly high in this Alpine enclave, where tourism is both a blessing and a burden.
The town is walking a tightrope between economic vitality driven by tourism and the erosion of its permanent community.
Local officials believe that the new measure, while controversial, is necessary to safeguard Chamonix’s long-term viability as a genuine community rather than a seasonal destination.
As Hatzenberger and others like him continue to navigate the housing crisis, Chamonix’s experiment will be closely watched by other towns grappling with the dual challenges of maintaining tradition and managing tourism-driven change.
“If we don’t act now,” Fournier warned, “we risk becoming a ghost town with no one left but visitors.”
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