Social and Economic restructuring and individual incidences of transformations in the economy of mountain areas since 1960
Résumé
This presentation deals with transformations in the economy of mountain areas since 1960 in the French Alps: from agro-pastoralism to the ski resort and finally to the end of skiing. The text describes the profound changes that tourist facilities have introduced into the Abondance valley. The study concerns the changing social and economic conditions of families in 1955, 1965 and 1975. Subsequently, the closure and conversion of the skiing area is studied, where public policy was directed at developing a new cultural centre. The presentation is essentially theoretical, and case studies cited are: La Chapelle, Abondance, Châtel, and Saint Pierre de Chartreuse in the French Alps. This presentation focuses on the lives of the people, their psychological and social difficulties, and their changing life styles.