I tested it for you The Savoy museum Chambéry

I’ve tested it for you!

The Musée Savoisien, the departmental museum of the history and cultures of Savoie, reopened its doors to the public just a few weeks ago, after eight years of closure for major works. Located in Chambéry in a former Franciscan convent, the museum has been open to the public as a museum since 1913, so it has a long history as a place of memory and transmission.

Discover
a museum
in the heart of Chambéry

The Musée Savoisien can be reached from the Place Métropole (see map), surrounded by two other highlights of Chambéry’s heritage: the majestic Saint-François-de-Sales cathedral and… a pub, which has also become a veritable local institution.

As soon as you enter, the vast reception hall whets your cultural appetite: a scale model of the building, a souvenir shop and an information area invite you to extend your visit. And the good news is that admission is free! It’s a great opportunity to stop off, even for those who don’t have much time to spare or who don’t always dare enter a museum.

Another special feature is that some of the objects on display are regularly replaced. This is necessary to protect these fragile objects from the light, but also a way of offering visitors a constantly renewed experience. Every time you visit, you’ll discover something new.

Tour itinerary

Travel
through
Savoyard history

The visit begins with a monumental stone staircase – or a lift for greater comfort. From the very first rooms, you will discover a modern and original museography, which moves away from a simple chronological thread to offer a thematic journey through the history of Savoie.

The collections are divided into six main themes:

Power and territories,
Populations and movement,
Resources and food,
Habitat,
Believing,
Dress.

This approach allows us to explore different eras in different ways: in the same showcase, we can juxtapose a medieval crockery dish with a contemporary mould, or compare traditional garments with technical sportswear. In this way, the past meets the present in a lively and accessible way.

The museum also houses a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions and a room highlighting an exceptional work: the murals from the Château de la Rive in Cruet (XIIIᵉ century), a secular tale of colourful adventures.

The light wood scenography creates a warm atmosphere that is both elegant and faithful to the identity of the region.

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When 8 years
of closure
becomes
1000 years of stories

Eight years of closure is not a long sleep: the Musée Savoisien has undergone a veritable metamorphosis. Prior to the works, archaeological excavations unearthed many of the objects now on display, revealing new aspects of the history of this 13th-century building.

During this period, the collections have also been enriched: new acquisitions, donations and recent archaeological discoveries. Those who were familiar with the museum before it closed will be surprised by the extent of the new items on display.

The scenography has also undergone a complete overhaul, with 2? hours of films projected, interactive displays, objects and models to handle. Everything is designed to make the visit lively and fun, especially for families.
Children are entitled to their own visit booklet (for 6-11 year olds) and age-appropriate tours (for 0-6 and 7-11 year olds). In short, it’s the perfect way to combine culture and fun for all the family!

My top 5
of the Musée Savoisien

The programme of guided tours, suitable for all ages,
The large, light-filled spaces opened up by the works,
The temporary exhibition space, where you can discover new exhibits on a regular basis,
Models of typical Savoie homes and reconstructions of typical Savoie interiors (I’ll let you discover which ones);
The museum is a former convent, which has preserved its Franciscan cloister, a calm and zen place.