Located in the shadow of Mont Blanc in southeastern France, the Chalet international des étudiants, International Student Chalet, became the world’s first student rest home. Often referred to simply as “Combloux” for the town where it was located, the chalet opened its doors in 1945 for university students ages 18-27 who had undergone extreme suffering during the war, namely deportees, prisoners of war, and members of the Resistance. It was also a hub of international activity and hosted conferences, camps, and student visitors from around the world.
Combloux was a typical alpine chalet with quaint shuttered windows, bedrooms spread across the three upper stories, and a large back deck offering stunning views of the rugged countryside. Students lived together in six different sections of the home called “oases.” Each oasis had its own leader, or “camel,” who enforced curfews and maintained order among their residents. Daily life included plenty of sleep (12 hours each night plus daily naps), abundant meals, and healthy intellectual stimulation through cultural organizations and events. Residents typically stayed for 1-3 months while they recovered from the psychological trauma of the war and physical ailments like malnutrition.
A 1948 promotional poster created by two student residents effectively conveys Combloux’s culture of rest, rejuvenation, and education. Pictured in front of the chalet’s entrance and its signature row of windows is a student reclined on a hill. Their posture is relaxed, evoking a sense of calm that is further highlighted by the flower casually poking from their mouth. In their left hand rests a book, a symbol of the student’s commitment to their studies and return to university life. A cluster of pines flanks the chalet, and the mountains loom in the background alongside a radiant sun. The landscape sets the scene and represents the purported healing power of the mountain air and climate of the region.
The Chalet des étudiants was more than just a rest home for students; it offered residents the chance to heal from the war at a time when national recovery was at the forefront of discussions taking place across society. Rest and relaxation had individual benefits and national implications, especially for students who had the potential to become the leaders of postwar France.
Annalise Walkama (she/her) is a postdoctoral fellow with the Martin Institute and the Idaho Society of Fellows at the University of Idaho where she studies the history of students, migration, and race in modern France. Her current book project explores the history of refugee students in postwar France, and her work has also appeared in The Washington Post. Annalise would like to thank the Fondation Entraide Hostater for generously allowing her to access the private records of the Chalet des étudiants.
