Under Lake Chevril in the French region of Savoie, the remnants of an old village, known as "old Tignes," lie submerged beneath the water. This village, which once housed around 150 traditional Savoyard homes, some dating back to the 16th century, was deliberately flooded in 1952 to make way for the construction of a hydroelectric dam. The dam, known as the Chevril dam, was built in the upper valley of the Isère River, just below the modern ski resort of Tignes. Designed by engineer André Coyne, it was a symbol of post-war French engineering and national pride. However, its creation came at a heavy local cost: the original village was destroyed, its residents were forcibly evicted, and the area was submerged under the lake. The decision to submerge the village was driven by urgent national needs. In the aftermath of World War II, France was struggling with a lack of coal and industrial stagnation. Hydroelectric power was seen as a quick and effective way to revive the economy. The local population, however, had no say in the matter. In April 1952, the residents of Tignes were given just six days to leave their homes before being forcibly expropriated. Some resisted, and it took the intervention of 500 CRS (police forces) to clear out the last holdouts. Most of the villagers refused to sell their properties, and three-quarters were eventually expropriated. The village’s church, a baroque masterpiece built in 1679, was also dismantled and its altars relocated to a new church in Boisses before the entire village was submerged. Despite the destruction, the memory of old Tignes has not been entirely erased. Every few years, the lake is partially emptied for maintenance and inspection, allowing the remnants of the village to resurface briefly. These events have become moments of reflection and nostalgia for the local community. In 2000 and 2014, large crowds gathered to walk among the ruins of what was once their home, stepping onto the streets and foundations of houses that had been submerged for decades. In 2024, a partial lowering of the lake level revealed a century-old bridge and other relics, sparking public interest and online fascination. However, the future of these periodic revelations is uncertain. The use of underwater robots for inspections has reduced the need for full lake emptyings, which are both costly and disruptive. As a result, no further complete emptyings are currently planned. This means that the village of old Tignes may remain hidden beneath the lake indefinitely, its story preserved only in the memories of those who remember it. Yet, beneath the surface of Lake Chevril, the village still exists—a silent testament to a bygone era, frozen in time under the water, waiting to be rediscovered.