Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

A former medieval centre a few kilometres from the vast landscapes formed by the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges and Lake Bourget. Chambéry, nestled in the heart of Greater Chambéry, is definitely a human-sized city with an Italian influence, where one finds the sweetness of life and refinement praised by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his “Confessions,” as he roamed the Vallon des Charmettes. Equally appreciated by Lamartine and Stendhal, this city of art and history will charm you with the elegance of its preserved medieval pedestrian centre and its exception heritage, such as the Château des Ducs de Savoie, its townhouses, coloured trompe l’oeil facades, or its Elephant Fountain. Chambéry also features a fair share of contemporary architecture, with public amenities such as the Espace Malraux National Stage, the City of Arts, or the Jean-Jacques Rousseau multimedia library, which contributes to its modern flair. Its special touch? Certainly, Chambéry’s mysteriously intriguing alleys and passages which weave through the centre and allow walkers in the know to cross the town and centuries hidden from public view. Will you be bold enough to lose yourself?