One of the most beautiful villages in Europe bans this practice adored by tourists, the decision is radical

To protect its inhabitants and its heritage, the municipality has taken measures in& ;edit.

Nestled in the heart of the Alps, a village offers a breathtaking panorama. Its colorful houses with steep roofs are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake, while the majestic mountains rise up on the horizon. This idyllic landscape has not failed to inspire artists, including no doubt the graphic designers of Disney for their famous animated film Frozen.

The beauty of this place attracts more than a million visitors each year, almost 1.5 million in 2023, seduced by its picturesque charm and preserved authenticity. The cobbled streets, the market square and the church with its slender bell tower bear witness to its seven centuries of history. But this popularity has a downside: overtourism is now threatening the tranquility of the 750 souls that inhabit this village, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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This unique village where tourists from all over the world flock is Hallstatt, in Austria. It is so beautiful that a copy of this village was built in China and it also inspired a South Korean TV series. The problem is that it attracts so many people that the inhabitants struggle to go about their daily activities, overwhelmed by the incessant flow of tourists. Faced with this worrying situation, the municipality had to take measures. The number of tourist buses allowed to access it was halved. In vain, visitors find other means of transport to reach the village.

The most surprising decision, however, remains the recent installation of a wooden barrier on one of the most popular viewpoints for selfie lovers, as noted by AFP. The objective ? To preserve this exceptional panorama and discourage intrusive photographers. Because beyond the inconvenience caused on a daily basis, it is the very nature of Hallstatt that is at stake, warn the local authorities. The challenge is considerable for them: to regulate tourist flows while preserving the economic activity linked to visitors. Tourism still provides a living for a large part of the inhabitants…

By installing this anti-selfie barrier, the inhabitants of Hallstatt are nevertheless launching a cry of alarm, a call for more reasoned and respectful tourism so that this jewel of the Alps retains its authenticity and its magic, the very ones that are said to have inspired the enchanted kingdom of Frozen.