The Melides Lagoon has seen its water levels drop in recent years. Melides, Portugal, on Nov. 19.
Photographer: Goncalo Fonseca/BloombergLouboutin Fights to Save Portuguese Retreat From Tourism Surge
The once secluded area of Melides has become a playground for the rich.
When French designer Christian Louboutin bought a secluded house in Melides, Portugal, it was a sleepy coastal area. Less than two decades later, what was once a well-kept secret has transformed into a playground of the rich and famous.
An explosion of golf and resort developments along the coast has led to local worries about the impact on the environment and that the area, about 90 minutes south of Lisbon, will fall victim to overtourism. Right on Louboutin’s doorstep, water levels in a lagoon have dropped as climate change, farming and higher visitor numbers take a toll.