From Slate Mines to Ski Slopes: How Morzine's Hotel Beau Regard Shaped the French Alps

The transformation of a beloved Alpine inn reveals the extraordinary journey of a French village from industrial backwater to luxury resort

In the shadow of Mont Blanc, where slate miners once toiled, and Cistercian monks once prayed, lies a story that encapsulates the remarkable metamorphosis of the French Alps. The recent conversion of Morzine’s Beau Regard Hotel into luxury apartments marks not just another property development, but the latest chapter in a centuries-long tale of reinvention that has turned a humble farming community into one of Europe’s most coveted ski destinations.

The Medieval Roots

Long before the first ski lift pierced the Alpine silence, Morzine’s story began in 1181 as “Morgenes,” a modest landholding of Aulps Abbey. For three and a half centuries, the village remained under monastic rule until 1531, when it finally gained independence from the Cistercian monks who had shaped its early character.

The transition from spiritual to secular governance coincided with the discovery of the region’s most valuable resource: slate. Throughout the 1800s, the mountains yielded their grey treasure, bringing unexpected prosperity to this remote corner of Haute-Savoie. The wealth generated by slate mining would prove crucial, providing the foundation upon which Morzine’s tourism empire would later be built.

A Visionary’s Gamble

The man who would change everything was François Baud, a local businessman with an audacious vision. In 1925, as Europe emerged from the devastation of the Great War, Baud constructed the Grand Hotel at the foot of Pleney mountain. This wasn’t merely a business venture—it was a bold gamble that a farming and slate-mining community could reinvent itself as a destination for leisure and sport.

The timing proved prescient. The 1920s witnessed the birth of recreational skiing across the Alps, and Morzine was perfectly positioned to capitalise on this emerging trend. The Morzine Ski Club, founded in 1910, had already laid the groundwork. Baud’s hotel provided the infrastructure to welcome visitors seeking Alpine adventure.

The Cable Car Revolution

The 1934 installation of the Pleney cable car—only the second in France—marked Morzine’s definitive transformation from mining town to ski resort. This engineering marvel, snaking up the mountainside, democratised access to the slopes and cemented Morzine’s position in the emerging winter sports industry.

The transformation accelerated dramatically when local hero Jean Vuarnet claimed Olympic gold in 1960. Suddenly, this Alpine village was thrust into the international spotlight, triggering a wave of development that would reshape the valley forever.

The Beau Regard’s Place in History

Against this backdrop of rapid change, the Beau Regard Hotel emerged as part of Morzine’s expanding hospitality sector. While lacking the pioneering status of the Grand Hotel, it embodied the warm, family atmosphere and traditional Savoyarde styling that became synonymous with Alpine hospitality.

Positioned strategically on the route des Bois Venants, the hotel offered guests stunning views of the surrounding pine forests whilst maintaining convenient access to both village amenities and ski infrastructure. Its emblematic facade and traditional Haute-Savoyard design elements made it a recognisable landmark for generations of visitors seeking authentic Alpine charm.