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Chambéry Capital of Savoie

A taste of Italy in the heart of Savoie

The charm of its secret traboules, its surprising trompe-l’œil, the warm colours of its historic centre…

A city of art and history, Chambéry has a unique, gentle and mysterious atmosphere. As you stroll along its cobbled streets, you’ll catch a whiff of Italy, a whiff of elsewhere… and yet you’re really in Savoie.

If there’s one small town in the world where you can enjoy the good life, it’s Chambéry.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Confessions

An invitation to stroll through France's most Italian city

The heart of Chambéry has retained the spirit of its medieval origins. A charming labyrinth, designed for curious strollers, punctuated by traboules, shady squares and discreet alleys.

Push open a door, slip into a narrow alley, and you’re transported… from Place Saint-Léger to the arcades of Place Monge, from the castle to the trompe-l’œil facades, a whole secret city is revealed to you.

But Chambéry is also a lively, bustling city. Here you’ll find great independent addresses, designer boutiques, confidential tearooms and terraces where you can take your time. There’s something for everyone, from shoppers to gourmets, in a friendly, authentic atmosphere.

Local flavours and know-how

La Ruche Boutik' The best of Savoie in your suitcase

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La Ruche Boutik’

Step inside the Tourist Office shop, a stone’s throw from the Carré Curial: local products, crafts, books and gourmet gifts.

To take home or give as a gift: a bar of local chocolate, a terrine of Lake Geneva trout, a sheep’s milk soap, a postcard illustrated by an artist from Chambéry…

Find out more

A touch of Italy, a Savoyard heritage

For more than six centuries, Savoie and Piedmont have shared a common history, that of the House of Savoie. The flavours, colours and traditions of this history remain with us .

From Turin to Chambéry, a whole art of living is expressed in architecture, gastronomy and everyday accents. A gentle blend of Alpine rigour and the fantasy of the country that today bears the name of Italy.

Ochre facades, green shutters, cool alleyways… The Savoyard capital is sometimes reminiscent of a Piedmont town nestling at the foot of the Alps. Even the taste buds remember: chocolate, vermouth, polenta, fresh pasta… a taste of Italy infuses the local traditions.

The soul of Chambéry

If Lyon has its traboules, Chambéry has its alleys. They are the city’s signature feature.

These discreet corridors allow you to move from one street to another through the courtyards of old buildings. They tell the story of a bygone era, an ingenious adaptation to the 14th-century tax on facades that gave rise to these long, narrow buildings and this unique network.

Less visible, but just as fascinating, the presence of water shapes Chambéry. The Hyère, Albanne and 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 link with water is also linguistic: the name “Chambéry” may come from Gamberi, which means crayfish in local dialect…

Find out more about Chambéry on our guided tours:

Our guided tours

Trompe-l'oeil and ironwork : a city that contemplates itself

Look up! Chambéry is a playground for lovers of detail. Here, illusion is an art that originated in Italy and has become a tradition.

Window frames, painted stonework, vaulted ceilings… trompe-l’œil is everywhere. Saint-François-de-Sales cathedral, with its 6,000 m² of painted vaulting, is home to Europe’s largest trompe-l’œil in a religious building.

Look for them on the façades of the Maison Dénarié, the Charles Dullin theatre, the courtyard of the îlot de l’horloge… and even in the busiest squares, such as Métropole and Saint-Léger.

At the same time, wrought ironwork reveals itself to those who know how to look. Impositions, railings, balconies… bear witness to the refinement of private mansions.

Each detail, each ornament brings you a little closer to the elixir of Chambéry.

Chambéry in pictures

©ART PRISM - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

©G.Cottet - Grand Chambéry Alpes Tourisme

Nature just a stone's throw from the city

Chambéry is a natural town, nestling between lake and mountain in a magnificent setting. To the east, Mont Granier and the Chartreuse tower over the valley. To the west, Le Nivolet and the Bauges massif watch over the valley.

Here, everything invites you to explore the great outdoors.

From terraced vineyards to secret waterfalls, hiking trails to via ferrata, cycling routes to paragliding spots… the possibilities are endless.

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

In Chambéry, you can breathe, move and vibrate.

What to do in Chambéry Montagnes

A concentrate of Savoie

Heritage town, cultural town, green town… and a town with a heart.

Chambéry is all about Savoie. A destination on a human scale, where you feel at home. Where you always come back with a smile.

A place apart, surprising, warm and naturally alive.

Chambéry and its valley, we've got your back!

How do I get to Chambéry?
By direct train from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Geneva, Turin… The “Chambéry – Challes-les-Eaux” station is right in the centre of town!
Is it easy to get around?
Yes! With the Synchro bus, bike hire and electrically-assisted bikes (1 hour, 1/2 day, full day or longer), we’ ve thought of everything you need for a car-free holiday.
Can you visit Chambéry without a guide?
Yes, a self-guided tour is available with a paper map, called Following the Elephants, or in a digital version. But if you want to find out all the secrets, our themed guided tours are well worth a visit.
What about a romantic weekend away?
It’s perfect! Charming hotel, candlelit dinner, sunset stroll, spa massage… we’ve got it all covered.
Is winter a real destination?
Yes! heritage, gastronomy, a warm atmosphere… and the ski slopes just 30 minutes away by car (Savoie Grand Revard, Aillons-Margériaz).
Are there any markets?
Yes, several times a week: find out more here.