Five good reasons to visit Chambéry

There are at least five good reasons to visit Chambéry during your stay in the Alps. The city is located at a crossroads between several destinations and allows you to discover the history and culture of Savoie, the brightness of many lakes, a mountain nature whose products can be found on plates or in markets.

Easy to access, Chambéry is one of the gateways to the Alps in all seasons. It is not just a stopover, but a real destination in its own right. AlpAddict takes you to discover Chambéry, the capital of the Savoy.

Chambéry, historical and cultural capital of Savoie

This is at Chambéry that the epic of the House of Savoy began. It was here that the Counts of Savoy established their capital in the Castle in 1295 before spreading across the region, becoming a free duchy in 1416, crossing the Alps, and founding the Kingdom of Italy several centuries later.

Chambéry was the capital of Duchy of Savoy for just over a hundred years, between 1416 and 1562. Then the Dukes of Savoy transferred their capital to Turin.

Savoy was only very little French in its history. First under the domination of the Holy Roman Empire, then independent until the French Revolution, temporarily French for about twenty years until the European defeat of Napoleon, it ended up being ceded to France in 1860 by the then royal house of Piedmont Sardinia which aimed to reunify and govern the Italian territory. In the meantime, some temporary French or Spanish occupations, depending on the wars on the continent between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, shaped the history of the city.

This is why the identity of the Savoy region is still very present, more so than in other mountain provinces of the French Alps which joined the Kingdom of France many centuries ago.

What remains from the era of the Duchy of Savoy?

Certainly, the emblematic monument of Chambéry is the Castle of. Emblem of feudalism, center of power of the Counts first and then of the Dukes of Savoy. In the heart of the old city center, it now houses administrative services and only a tiny part of it is freely visited: a building that houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the city. Fortunately, the tourist office organizes guided tours to access the other interesting sites inside the enclosure, such as the courtyard of honor and the Sainte Chapelle. Reservations are possible by following this link .

La old medieval town, its small alleys, its crossings which recall the traboules in Lyon but which have a completely different function. The owners of the houses overlooking the current Saint Leger Square were taxed based on the width of the frontage of their property. So they built short frontages on the square and extended their houses towards the back. Over time, the long alleys that ran along the sides of the houses were covered by other floors, and this is how the covered alleys, called "travers" were obtained, which allow you to cross the city as if in a secret labyrinth.

All these alleys have their history that you will have to appreciate while strolling through the alleys or the streets lined with shops.

The Savoy Museum, which has just reopened after a long renovation phase, highlights the history and culture of Savoy. Interesting, it covers the history, culture, heritage, folklore and tourism in Savoy.

A few kilometers from Chambéry, on the banks of Lake Bourget, on the site of Hautecombe Abbey, we find the tombs of a certain number of members of the House of Savoy who found their final resting place there.

Other buildings, built in a Piedmontese style (the same buildings can be found in Turin, Nice or Cuneo) are from a more recent period than the medieval quarter and house the Palace of Justice and the Museum of Fine Arts for example.

La Curial Square, administrative center during the day and festive in the evening, is a former Napoleonic barracks converted into a place of entertainment with its many bars, pubs and nightclubs. Chambéry was a military base for the Napoleonic regiments. During the twenty years of French presence at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the position of Chambéry gave it the role of a garrison town.

During the Second World War, this barracks was occupied by the Germans and used as a prison. Fortunately, today, these places have found a more cheerful function!

There are many other buildings, structures and monuments to see and visit, but they will be the subject of an article dedicated to a walk in the city center of Chambéry.

The famous Chambériens: Rousseau and General de Boigne

There are two characters who have left an important mark on the history of Chambéry.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benoît Leborgne, known as General de Boigne.

Rousseau, the philosopher, met Madame de Warens at the age of 16 in Annecy. A few years later, he found his protector again in the house of Charmettes, on the outskirts of Chambéry and he will stay there for six years between 1736 and 1742. It is here, in this house described in the "Reveries of a Solitary Walker" and in its surroundings that he will build his philosophical thought. This reflection will lead to Emile, the Confessions, the Social Contract. Monuments of French philosophy inspired by their writer in the Chambéry countryside.

The story of Benoît Leborgne, later known as General de Boigne, is more incredible. A Savoyard, born in an independent Savoy belonging to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, he committed the irreparable by wounding a Sardinian soldier. Consequently, he was forced to emigrate to France to undertake a military career in the ranks of an Irish regiment first, then as a mercenary against the Ottomans. An adventurer and great traveler, he arrived after many adventures in India. For about twenty years, he traded there, traveled there and fought there within this or that influential powerful to fight the English. It was also there that he learned that he had become a French citizen, when France, in 1792, temporarily annexed Savoy. He then lived in England, then returned to France and rubbed shoulders with Napoleon who offered him to return to service, which he refused.

At the age of fifty, he decided to retire by returning to Savoy, where he continued to be called General de Boigne (an English-language deformation of Leborgne, his original name, dating from the first Irish regiments): he was extremely rich and overwhelmed by honorary titles. He decided to use his wealth to modernize Chambéry: hospitals, churches, public works, schools, etc.

Today, the city of Chambéry honors his memory through the name of the main street, lined with elegant arcades, which crosses the old town and especially through the Elephants Fountain , topped by the statue of General de Boigne.

La fountain of the "assless", as it is commonly known, has four elephant front legs (no hind legs) which symbolise the Cross of Savoy by their position, and its past in India by the symbols attached to it.

Chambéry, in the heart of a lake region

There is no Lake Chambéry, of course, but the lakes are really not far away. Among the large well-known lakes, within cycling distance we find the beaches of Bourget du Lac, on the Bourget lake. One of the most beautiful French lakes, on the banks of which stretches the Riviera of Aix les Bains, its thermal baths, its casino, and its pretty city center full of flowers. An article on AlpAddict is dedicated to Lake Bourget, you can read it, here.

A few kilometers by car or train, in the Savoyard foreland you can reach the banks of the Aiguebelette lakeA turquoise pearl surrounded by dense forests, this lake attracts many people from Lyon and Chambéry in summer, thanks to its warm waters, for refreshing days, far from urban density.

We will only mention Lake Annecy  which is less than an hour from the city center of Chambéry. This magnificent lake is in Haute-Savoie, it bathes the banks of the city of Annecy, and there is no question here of rekindling petty quarrels!

But you should know that the people of Chambéry like to walk around two small lakes nearby.

Le Lake Saint Andrew, at the foot of the legendary Mont Granier, lies opposite magnificent landscapes of the Belledonne and Lauzière massifs. The tour of the lake is not long, but its location in the middle of the vineyards allows you to get lost in fields with juicy grape clusters in summer and in expanses of golden vegetation when autumn comes.

And the Lake of Thuile, which is further, higher – we are already in the Bauges – and more confidential. It is already a mountain lake, a stopover on the path of the southern balconies of the Bauges, those which sometimes dominate the plains of the Combe de Savoie by almost a thousand meters, or on the return paths, in the direction of the Chapelle Saint Michel which dominates the Chambérienne gorge on a very aerial peak.

Chambéry and its mountains

Chambéry is one of the gateways to the Alps. It is therefore normal to talk about the mountains that surround the city.

When you are in the heart of the city, you can especially admire the Bauges and its emblematic peaks visible from Chambéry: the Nivolet (1545) and Galoppaz Point (1681 m). The enormous cross at the summit of Nivolet shines brightly in the setting sun, and like a star in the firmament, it indicates the direction of the North to the people of Chambéry.

The Pointe de la Galoppaz, a very beautiful destination for a hike from the outskirts of Chambéry, is more pointed, greener and, in winter, gives a measure of the snow cover in the mountains. When it is very white, it means that the snow is of good quality in the large resorts of Savoie.

These two peaks belong to the Bauges massif. An authentic and traditional mountain area from which many cheeses and cured meats sold on the Chambéry market come. If in summer we go hiking in mountains that present few difficulties and that encourage intergenerational activities, in winter, we ski in the Bauges. Cross-country skiing on the large area of Savoie-Grand Revard, one of the largest in France which brings together the slopes of Féclaz and Revard and which allows the practice of biathlon. And alpine skiing on the Aillons-Margeriaz side as well as on short slopes on the La Féclaz and Revard. 

But above all, we will not forget the extraordinary landscapes on the Lake of Bourget that we admire from the western balconies of the Bauges. Above the Pragondran ridge, already, a few kilometers from Chambéry, accessible on foot from the city for a good hike, we enjoy a magnificent view of the southern part of the lake.

Further on, at the Belvédère du Sire, at La Féclaz or at the Belvédère du Revard, accessible by car, the landscape is magnificent, especially at sunset, or in winter, when with your feet in the snow you look at the green landscape of the plain bordering Lake Bourget.

Finally, for hikers, the most beautiful landscapes are those admired from the Nivolet cross, emblem of the Chambéry mountain.

Bauges, Epine Massif and Chartreuse

But the Nivolet is not the only mountain in Chambéry. Opposite, the Epine massif with its dense forests, allows you to gain height as soon as you leave Chambéry, towards Lyon. From the peaks of the Epine, and in particular from Mont Grelle, the view of Lake Aiguebelette is breathtaking.

Let us now talk about a silhouette familiar to the people of Chambéry, the Mount Granier, in the massif of the Chartreuse.

With its shape that reminds some of the mountains of the Grand Canyon, Mont Granier, which peaks at almost 2000 meters above sea level, has played an important historical role in the history of Chambéry. It was in fact a terrible landslide in the town of Apremont in 1248 that gave it its current appearance. This caused the destruction of all the habitat and the death of most of the inhabitants. But it was also because of this landslide that the religious administration that managed the lands of the Church in Savoy was moved to safer places. A few years later, the city of Chambéry, in which the Counts of Savoy also settled, seemed to be an ideal place. The presence of the dual spiritual and temporal power contributed to the influence of Chambéry.

At the foot of Mont Granier, between the vineyards of Apremont, we find an important place of pilgrimage. Our Lady of Myans, built on the very site of the chapel which was the only building not to have been destroyed by the collapse of Mont Granier. Obviously, in the Middle Ages, this was considered a divine sign and the place was sanctuarized to welcome pilgrims.

The Chambéry gorge descends slowly, to the South, towards the Combe de Savoie, blocked by the high mountains of the Belledonne range. These mountains, facing North, and covered in snow for a large part of the year, between November and July, form a beautiful backdrop for the Chambéry basin. Photographers love the view of the massif that they discover on the outskirts of Chambéry from the hill of the Monts, above Lemenc, the original Roman site of the first settlement from which the city of Chambéry developed. The plain of Bassens, Saint Alban Leysse and La Ravoire extends at the foot of the hill of Monts, which from its 500 meters of altitude constitutes a remarkable belvedere on the mountains, and this just a few kilometers on foot from the center of Chambéry.

But so, where do we ski apart from in the wallows, or in the very small associative station of Col du Granier, when you come to Chambéry? Each Chambérien has his favorite station. Sometimes we choose easy access, to avoid the bends in the road, sometimes we choose family stations… No station is really far.

Apart from the most remote ones in Haute Tarentaise or Haute Maurienne, the ski resorts are all between an hour and an hour and a half drive from Chambéry. You are spoilt for choice. And the site AlpAddict is full of advice and descriptions to help you best prepare your vacation in Savoie or in the nearby departments of Haute-Savoie and Isère.

Chambéry and its vineyards

Chambéry is bordered to the south by vineyards which extend between chignin et Apremont. These vineyards offer breathtaking landscapes and produce some of the finest wines in Savoie. Further afield, on the edge of the Combe de Savoie, they can be found on the southern slopes of the Bauges, between Montmélian and Saint Pierre d'Albigny. But let's stay in the surroundings of Chambéry.

The Savoie wines, still little known internationally, deserve to be discovered. They are mainly white, made from indigenous grape varieties such as Jacquère, Altesse, or Roussanne. The alpine climate and varied soils give these wines a unique freshness and minerality. The reds, produced from grape varieties such as Mondeuse, Gamay or Pinot, offer spicy and fruity aromas, perfect to accompany the region's dishes.

Le vineyard between Chignin and Apremont is a true living painting. The vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, framed by the majestic Alpine mountains. Each season, the landscape changes and reveals new facets: in spring, the vines bud and wild flowers dot the rows; in summer, the grape clusters are filled with sunshine; in autumn, the leaves take on flamboyant colours, and in winter, a thin layer of snow can sometimes cover the vines, offering a magical spectacle.

Exploring these vineyards on foot is an immersive experience. Numerous hiking trails crisscross the region, offering spectacular views of the Combe de Savoie valley and the Bauges massif. One of the most popular walks starts from Chignin, famous for its medieval towers, and leads through the vineyards to Apremont. Along the way, information panels tell the history of the vineyards and local grape varieties. The landscape on the Belledonne massif is magnificent.

Chignin is a small, picturesque village known for its ruined towers that dominate the landscape. These historical remains add a touch of mystery and romance to the surrounding vineyards. Walks between the hamlets on the sunny plateaus offer a moment of relaxation and unparalleled zenitude.

A few kilometres south of Chignin, Apremont is renowned for its white wines. This wine, with its floral aromas and hints of honey, is ideal with poultry dishes or fruit desserts. Legend has it that Apremont owes its name to the landslide of Mont Granier in 1248, which covered the land with fertile vines.

Savoie wines pair wonderfully with local cuisine such as Savoyard fondue and other cheese specialties. For more robust dishes such as diots (Savoie sausage), a red wine from Mondeuse is ideal, bringing spicy notes and a nice tannic structure.

When we think of Savoie, we often think of its lakes, mountains, chalets or ski slopes, but we forget that the lower valleys and plains, where most of the population lives, are agricultural regions with a climate favorable to the cultivation of vines, orchards and market gardening. All the good products that we find on the tables of the region's restaurants.

Chambéry, an easily accessible destination

Chambéry, the gateway to the Alps, is located at an important crossroads of roads that cross the Alps.

The city is located both on the furrow which crosses the Alps in a North-South direction between Geneva and Valencia, and on the West-East axes which lead from Lyon to Italy.

An efficient motorway network connects all these destinations via Chambéry.

Of course, Chambéry is also an important railway centre. The old Rotunda, which is also a museum, is there to remind us. From here, train lines leave for Lyon and Paris, Grenoble and Marseille or Annecy and Geneva. But also to Turin and Milan, in Italy, crossing the Maurienne, and to Bourg Saint Maurice and the large Savoyard ski resorts of Tarentaise and Beaufortain.

By train You can easily go swimming in the lakes of Bourget, Aiguebelette and Annecy. But you can also reach the surrounding towns and villages for cultural events.

Finally, the plain between the city and Lake Bourget is occupied by the infrastructure of Chambéry airport, through which thousands of tourists disembark, especially during the ski season. Chambéry thus acquires an international dimension which makes it an important tourist center.

You can pass through Chambéry or cross Chambéry without stopping there. You then ignore all the riches offered by this exceptional territory. This is why you must choose to stop in the historic capital of Savoie.

There is so much to do, so much to discover, that it can quickly become your final destination for your stay to discover the Savoy Country.

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