Landmark · Tignes

The Drowned Village of Old Tignes

March 1952: 473 Tignards watched 300 police occupy bell tower, water rising 1m/day, villagers sabotaged trucks, journalists captured French hydro tragedy—France's highest dam (181m) drowned Tignes for Lac du Chevril (235M m³, 270ha), only 15 families rebuilt at 2100m ski resort.

What to do there

TourThe Drowned Village of Old TignesIn 1952, the French government dammed the valley and drowned the original village of Tignes. The old church, school, and houses sit at the bottom of Lac de Chevril. When water levels drop in autumn, the church spire emerges like a ghost. The villagers were forcibly relocated. One farmer refused to leave and had to be dragged away. A fresco by street artist Long depicts a giant on the dam face, visible from the road — it's the largest outdoor fresco in the world. This is the dark origin story of one of France's most famous ski resorts.

Places to see and wineries nearby

Landmark Les Brévières — The Authentic Village Tignes Forgot This preserved medieval hamlet near Tignes offers authentic Savoyard architecture and culture frozen in time—a stark contrast to the modern ski resort that nearly consumed it.
Winery La Folie Douce Tignes — Après at 2,100m Après-ski institution at the peak of Tignes' ski-in season — cabaret lunch at 1pm, then house and techno parties until 7pm at 2,400m altitude on the La Daille gondola.
Winery Sunset Wine Walk Around Lac de Tignes Walk around Tignes' crystalline glacial lake at sunset with 12,000-foot Glacier Grande Motte reflected in bluish waters—Savoie wines optional, views non-negotiable.