Grand Chambéry
Chambéry – an Art and History town
Surrounded by two mountain ranges classed as Regional Natural Parks, Bauges and Chartreuse, Chambéry is an ideal destination for lovers of heritage, nature, gastronomy and wellness.
Chambéry is the historic heart of Savoie and its history is inextricably linked to that of its Italian neighbour, Turin, and the rise of the House of Savoy of which it was the capital until 1563. This period left its mark on architecture, paintings and food much to the delight of art lovers and gourmets. The region has an Italian air about it and a gentle way of life which will enchant you during your stay !
For a moment of total relaxation, head for the little spa town of Challes-les-Eaux. The discovery of the « Reine du soufre (Queen of Sulphur) » spring in the 19th century changed the destiny of the valley. Its waters are among the most sulphurised in Europe with antiseptic, decongesting, healing and painkilling properties, ideal for the treatment of respiratory and gynaecological disorders. The spa is also a great place for relaxation ! Massages, beauty treatment, steam baths...treat yourself to a soothing break.
Outdoor activity enthusiasts find themselves at the gateway to 2 enormous adventure playgrounds : the Bauges and Chartreuse mountains. Footpaths and hiking paths, cycle paths and tracks, paragliding, Via Ferrata and rock-climbing sites, ski area…there’s definitely something for everyone !
Stroll around the pedestrianized streets of the town to admire the architecture and soak up the historic atmosphere.
The historic centre is characterised by secret ‘traboules’ (alleyways), mansions with fine inner courtyards, amazing trompe-l’œil works and colourful facades inspired by Piedmont.
Flânez et traboulez : Les amateurs d’architecture et d’histoire prendront plaisir à flâner dans les rues piétonnes de la ville.
The town of Chambéry has put together a discovery walk ! Follow the elephants on the ground for a journey to the heart of the Middle Ages to discover the history and heritage of the town. Let’s start at Place Saint-Léger and its colourful buildings, the main thoroughfare of the town. Lots of alleyways lead from the square to entrances to buildings, interior courtyards and other streets. Now head for Place Métropole and the Cathedral of Saint François de Sales to admire the finest trompe l’œil in the town and the largest in Europe : the paintings cover almost 6,000m² of its walls and ceilings. Next stop is the Fontaine des Eléphants, the town’s emblematic monument ! You will see why local people call it « les quatre sans culs (the four with no bottoms!) ». Go along the Rue de Boigne to the Château des Ducs de Savoie. The Sainte Chapelle in the castle houses the largest set of bells in Europe and the fourth largest in the world.
Literary and plant enthusiasts simply have to visit the Maison de Jean-Jacques-Rousseau and its Jardin des Charmettes. The house is steeped in the intimate atmosphere of the Enlightenment philosopher who lived there for 6 years with Mme de Warens and the garden shows his love of plants with its fine collection of medicinal and culinary herbs and vegetables.
Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains and Lac du Bourget.
There are many other charming buildings in Chambéry. A visit to the Architecture and Heritage Discovery Centre provides the key to understand and appreciate the rich architectural wealth of the ‘Cité des Ducs’. It is located in the Hôtel de Cordon, a 16th century mansion, and offers guided tours and a permanent exhibition about the history and development of the town.
Discover the nearby countryside and a host of outdoor activities : walking, cycling horse-riding, rock climbing, Via Ferrata, paragliding, canyoning and even potholing in beautiful surroundings ! Explore the Massif des Bauges, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Regional Natural Park of Chartreuse !
2 summits enable you to discover the 2 ranges. Croix du Nivolet, in the Bauges, has amazing panoramic views of the towns of Mont Granier on the edge of the Chartreuse range is easily recognisable by its steep cliff face. Once at the top, it has superb views of the Chambéry Basin, Combe de Savoie and Chaîne de Belledonne. On a clear day, you can even see Mont-Blanc !
For a getaway cycle ride to enjoy the beautiful Savoie scenery, a section of the V63 cycle route runs from the spa town of Aix-les-Bains to Lake Saint-André at the foot of Mont Granier via Lac du Bourget with its beaches and the slopes of the Combe de Savoie.
In winter, head for the Bauges to make the most of the snow !
The family-friendly skiing areas of Aillons-Margériaz and Savoie Grand Revard are only 30 minutes from Chambéry and Challes-les-Eaux. The resort of Aillons-Margériaz is ideal for first timers and for teaching young children to ski ! it also has more challenging pistes for experienced skiers. Savoie Grand Revard is well-known for its Nordic ski area which is classed among the best in France with 150km of pistes. The two resorts offer a wide range of activities like cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, biathlon, dog-sledding and lots more. The 3 Vallées ski area is an hour’s drive away.
Local speciality foods and gourmet dishes are a delicious way to discover the region !
Discover the surroundings of Chambéry and Savoie by tasting iconic cheeses, most of which have PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin) like Tomme de Savoie, Tome des Bauges, Beaufort, Reblochon, Margériaz, etc.
Savoie charcuterie is also well-known for its quality and goes perfectly with cheese. And don’t leave Chambéry without trying ‘diots’, little pork sausages which are often made with red or white wine and served with crozets (pasta), polenta or cabbage.
The shared history with Italy can even be found in food ! Pasta and polenta are popular Chambéry dishes and made locally by the firm Alpina Savoie. Don’t forget to take a box of crozets home with you ! Another Italian touch is coffee roasting which Cafés Folliet has been expertly doing since 1880.
As for aperitifs, there is no shortage of these in Chambéry ! One of the flagship products of the town is Vermouth, an aperitif made from mountain herbs, spices and Savoie wine. In the past there were up to 22 producers in the town, but today there are only 2 : Maison Dolin and Maison Routin ! Another famous regional drink made by these 2 firms is Génépi, a liqueur named after the plant it is made from (wormwood in English) and traditionally drunk as a digestif. The two firms also make well-known cordials.
Beer fans can visit micro-breweries like La Montagnarde, Archimal and Vertic’Ale and also enjoy the two emblematic brands of Grand Chambéry : BAS (Brasserie Artisanale de Savoie) and Brasserie du Mont-Blanc. The latter has won many awards at international level for its beers : best amber ale in the world in 2011 and 2014 and best white beer in the world in 2013 and 2015.
To finish on a sweet note, chocolate truffles were born in Chambéry in 1895 so head for the chocolate makers in the town centre to (re)discover them !
And to help you to prepare all this good local food, choose a famous Opinel knife. Opinel is a flagship brand from Savoie, based in Chambéry since 1915.
Whether you come in summer or winter, you will love staying in Chambéry !
For further information, go to http://www.chambery-tourisme.com/"
