Abandoned ski resort in the French Alps

Saint-Honoré 1500, later called La Chaud, was a planned ski resort built at an altitude of 1,505 meters above La Mure in the Isère department. The project aimed to include around 1,400 beds, far exceeding the population of the nearby village, which had 830 residents in 2023. Construction stopped in 1993, and the resort was never completed, leaving many buildings unfinished.

Origins in a coal mining region

The project began as an economic response to the closure of coal mines in La Mure. The French government announced the mine closures in 1989, with the last mine closing in 1997. Local leaders saw the mountain as an opportunity for development, especially after connecting it to the neighboring Alpe du Grand Serre ski area. Infrastructure like a cable lift and ski lifts were built to support the project.

Construction halted due to financial issues

Work on the resort stopped in March 1993, four years before the last mine closed. The construction company faced financial trouble, leading to its liquidation in 1995. Legal issues involving the developer were reported, but no names are mentioned due to their circulation online. The site remained partially built, with some structures completed and others left unfinished.

Auction and rising price

In the early 2000s, the resort’s infrastructure was auctioned twice. The first sale in 2003 brought in 830,000 euros, but the price nearly doubled by 2004, when it sold for 1.62 million euros. The lot included completed buildings, unfinished hotels, and vandalized apartments. Despite the sale, the site remained largely abandoned, with some residents still living in the structures.

Legacy and cultural use

The ski lifts were dismantled over several years, with parts sold to other ski areas. The resort’s unfinished state drew attention in the National Assembly, where a question was raised about the costs and guarantees provided by the Isère department. Some buildings are still inhabited, and the site has become a destination for photographers, graffiti artists, and urban explorers. In 2019, dance performances were held there as part of a cultural event, highlighting the site’s unique appeal beyond its original purpose.