In this chic hotel in Verbier, a Swiss station prized by wealthy Europeans, the charm of the old Fleuri chalet is combined with the codes of international palaces. Its owner, Marcus Bartter, seated in front of a coffee, may well admit it: thirteen years ago, in 2012, he said « oui » On the popular initiative “to put an end to the invasive constructions of secondary residences”, calling to cap the level of secondary housing per commune at 20 %. A position then inaudible in this Valais village, perched 1,500 meters above sea level, covered with luxurious traditional chalets in dark wood, placed by clusters on mountainside and almost to the top.
The canton of Valais has been enriched, since the late 1950s, thanks to tourism and the construction of second homes. The vast commune of Val de Bagnes now has 55 % of second homes, but this rate is much higher than Verbier, which is attached to it: 3,000 people live there year -round and 35,000 in winter, in full season.
“At the time, it was very hot. My friends who worked in construction earned their lives very well by building chalets and were afraid of no longer having a job. So I got you “says Mr. Bartter, who now has two hotels in Verbier, five restaurants and bars and a wine shop.
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