How do I get to Chambéry?

Direct trains from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Geneva, Turin… The “Chambéry – Challes-les-Eaux” station is right in the heart of the city!

Is it easy to get around?

Yes! Synchro Bus, bike hire and electric bikes (1 hour, half a day, a full day or longer) – everything is designed to ensure a car-free stay.

Is it possible to visit Chambéry without a guide?

Yes! There’s a self-guided tour available with a paper map, called ‘Following the Elephants’ , or in a digital version . But to uncover all the secrets, our themed guided tours are well worth a visit.

How about a romantic weekend away?

Perfect! A charming hotel, a candlelit dinner, a stroll at sunset, a spa massage… we’ll take care of everything for you.

Is winter a proper destination?

Yes! Heritage, fine dining, a warm and welcoming atmosphere… and the ski slopes are about a 30-minute drive away (Savoie Grand Revard, Aillons-Margériaz)

Are there any markets?

Yes, several times a week: find out more here.

Chambéry Capital of Savoy

A taste of Italy in the heart of Savoie

The charm of its hidden alleyways, the warm colours of its historic centre, the castle of the Dukes of Savoy…

A city of art and history, Chambéry exudes a unique, gentle and mysterious atmosphere. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, you’ll sense that Italian flair, that touch of a faraway place… and yet, you’re very much in Savoie.

If there is one small town in the world where you can savour the good life, it is Chambéry.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, *The Confessions*

An invitation to wander through the most Italian of French cities

The heart of Chambéry has retained the spirit of its medieval origins. A charming labyrinth, designed for curious wanderers, dotted with traboules, shaded squares and secluded alleyways.

Push open a door, slip into a narrow alleyway, and you’ll find yourself transported… from Place Saint-Léger to the arcades of Place Monge, from the château to the trompe-l’œil façades – a whole secret city unfolds before you.

But Chambéry is also a lively, bustling city. Here you’ll find lovely independent shops, designer boutiques, hidden-away tea rooms and terraces where you can take the time to enjoy life. Shopping enthusiasts and those looking for a gourmet treat will find what they’re after here, in a friendly and authentic atmosphere.

Local flavours and expertise

La Ruche Boutik’

The best of Savoie in your suitcase

Pop into the Tourist Office shop, just a stone’s throw from the Carré Curial: local produce, handicrafts, books and gourmet gifts.

To take home or give as a present: a chocolate Opinel knife, a wild garlic spread, a Génépi beer, a postcard illustrated by a local artist from Chambéry… and so many other wonderful items!

Find out more

A touch of Italy, a Savoyard heritage

For more than six centuries, Savoy and Piedmont shared a common history, that of the House of Savoy. Traces of this history remain here in the flavours, colours and traditions.

From Turin to Chambéry, a whole way of life is expressed through the architecture, the cuisine and the nuances of everyday life. A gentle blend of Alpine rigour and the whimsy of this land that is now known as Italy.

Ochre-coloured façades, green shutters, cool narrow streets… The capital of Savoy is sometimes reminiscent of a Piedmontese town nestled at the foot of the Alps. Even the taste buds remember it: chocolate, vermouth, polenta, fresh pasta… a taste of Italy infuses the local traditions.

What gives Chambéry its character

Just as Lyon has its traboules, Chambéry has its alleys. They are the city’s hallmark.

These unobtrusive passageways allow you to move from one street to another through the courtyards of old buildings. They tell the story of an era, an ingenious adaptation to a 14th-century tax that was levied on façades… hence these long, narrow buildings and this unique network.

Less visible, but just as fascinating, the presence of water shapes Chambéry. The Hyère, the Albanne and the Leysse rivers flow through the city. It is even said that the cathedral rests on 30,000 larch piles, anchored in the water table.

This connection with water is also linguistic: the name ‘Chambéry’ may well derive from ‘Gamberi’, meaning ‘crayfish’ in the local dialect…

Find out more about Chambéry on our guided tours:

Our guided tours

Trompe-l’œil and ironwork: a city that gazes upon itself

Look up! Chambéry is a playground for those with aneye for detail. Here, illusion is an art form, originating in Italy and now a local tradition.

Window frames, painted stones, perspective vaults… trompe-l’œil is everywhere. The Cathedral of Saint-François-de-Sales, with its 6,000 m² painted vault, is home to the largest trompe-l’œil in a religious building in Europe.

Look out for them: on the façades of the Maison Dénarié and the Charles Dullin Theatre, in the courtyard of the Îlot de l’Horloge… and even in the busiest squares, such as Métropole and Saint-Léger.

At the same time, the artistic ironwork reveals itself to the observant eye. Door frames, balustrades, balconies… all bear witness to the refinement of the private mansions.

Every detail, every ornament brings you a little closer to the elixir of Chambéry.

Chambéry in pictures

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ART PRISM - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

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G.Cottet - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

Nature just a stone’s throw from the city

Chambéry is a city surrounded by nature, nestled between lake and mountains in a magnificent setting. To the east, the cliffs of Mont Granier and the Chartreuse range rise up. To the west, the Nivolet and the Bauges massif watch over the valley.

Here, everything invites you to explore the great outdoors.

From terraced vineyards to hidden waterfalls, from hiking trails to via ferrata routes, from cycle paths to paragliding spots… the possibilities are endless.

🌿 Over 100 km of cycle paths and trails, 50 walking trails, a regional nature park, and quick access to Savoie Grand Revard or the Bauges…

In Chambéry, you breathe, you move, you come alive.