The town of Riquewihr in Alsace, north-east France, has introduced a 'Rue du Silence' in the town centre, after numerous complaints from locals about noise from tourists.
Mayor Daniel Klack says that creating the 'silent street' in a main artery of the town will allow people to 'take a breather' among the bustle and noise of the town's Christmas market, which attracts 450,000 visitors a year.
Although the rule of silence is not legally enforceable - there are merely notices requesting that people keep the noise down in this street - it is part of efforts by the town to create a balance between the economic boost of thousands of tourists, and the increasing complaints from locals who feel pushed out of their own town.
"We're a victim of our own success over the last 40 years or so, the mayor told French media. "We hope it will last another 40 years, but every year it evolves with new ideas to make everyone feel at home."
The town has already stopped advertising or promoting its Christmas market, and has been working on traffic flows and better parking facilities to try and improve the experience for locals and tourists alike.
The Strasbourg Christmas market is France's largest, but many other towns in Alsace also promote themselves as Christmas destinations.
But the fundamental problem of surtourisme (over tourism) is one that is affecting an increasing number of French towns, leading local mayors to search for solutions.
Several tourist towns in southern France have introduced local laws requiring people to pick up and carry wheeled cases after 10pm, in order to avoid disturbing locals.
Meanwhile other towns are aiming to cut down on the influx of tourists by strict regulation on tourist accommodation including bans on Airbnb.
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