Visit Chambéry in Savoie in the French Alps

Local Attractions & Hotels, Lac Aiguebelette & Regional Parks

Nov 7, 2009

Gateway to the French Alps, Chambéry is an attractive town with a surprising heritage and great natural assets on the doorstep.

Once the capital of Savoie, today a flourishing county town, Chambéry enjoys a privileged location close to Lac Aiguebelette, regional parks and vineyards. Local attractions span centuries of history, combining tradition with modern facilities.

Lyon and Geneva are just an hour away and it’s an easy drive to the lakeside resorts of Aix les Bains or Annecy. Mid-range and luxury hotels cater to a growing number of visitors.

Chambéry in Savoie, Local Attractions

In 1563, the States of Savoie which included Piedmont moved their capital to Turin, favouring exchanges across the mountains. With elegant façades, red and ochre walls, wooden balconies and porticos, Chambéry has retained a delightful Italian ambience, enhanced by trompe-l’oeil decorations, most strikingly inside the cathedral.

Beyond the Italian front is a maze of medieval lanes, hidden courtyards and turrets. The Dukes’ castle stands at the heart of town, close to shaded arcades and boutiques rue de Boigne. Having served in India under the British, the local benefactor is remembered with a magnificent fountain, flanked by elephant statues.

Other attractions include traditional restaurants, outdoor cafes and a farmers market awash with fresh vegetables, fruit, diots or local sausages, and cheeses from Savoie.

Hotels in Chambéry, Savoie

The three star Hotel des Princes is set in a former convent in the town historic centre. The hotel has 45 individually designed rooms with cosy furnishings and modern amenities. Dukes and elephants are a recurring theme in public areas. There is a small piano bar and lounge with reading material and a breakfast room offering a delicious continental buffet.

Château des Comtes de Challes is a charming country hotel set in quiet grounds near Chambéry, overlooking mountains and valleys and the thermal spa of Challes les Eaux. The 15th century castle has lots of atmosphere and includes a restored chapel with stained glass and frescoes. Rooms and suites boast elegant drapes in traditional shades of ochre and red. An outdoor pool and a gastronomic restaurant with terrace and open fire complete the picture. Bread and cakes are baked on the premises.

South of Chambéry, Lac Aiguebelette, the third natural lake in France, is renowned for its sheltered emerald waters. Framed by the hills, bordered with flower meadows and reeds, it’s a quiet haven where only rowing boats and canoes glide on the water. There are supervised beaches, walking trails and for those who enjoy a bird’s eye view, hang gliding from the cliff top.

The Chartreuse and Bauges Regional Park are also nearby, ranging from low to mid altitudes. The parks are all about fresh air, spectacular views, trekking through pastures and forests and discovering the rich fauna and flora of the French Alps. Traditional crafts survive in hamlets and farms and only low impact tourism is encouraged.

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