Chambéry

• Castle of the Dukes of Savoie:

• Former residence of the Earls and Dukes of Savoy, the castle is a collection of buildings built from the Middle Ages to the present day which today houses the Prefecture and the General Council.
• The main sites accessible in the company of a guide-lecturer are: Tower Cash (XIV c.), The lower rooms (XIV c.), The half-round tower (XIV-XIX c.) And the Sainte Chapelle (fifteenth s., XVII century. and XIX c.) (Gothic arches painted in trompe l'oeil windows of the fifteenth century) which housed from 1502 to 1578 the Holy Shroud in Turin today. See also, the 37 bells of the old carillon installed in 1937 the Castle Court of Honor in 2007.

• The largest carillon:

• Built in 1993 and installed in the Tower Yolande flanking the apse of the Sainte Chapelle of the Château des Ducs de Savoie, the Grand Carillon is the work of the Paccard Foundry Sevriez (Haute-Savoie). With 70 bells, is the largest in France and is part of the inner circle of the largest carillons in the world 8. Homogeneity of timbre due to its construction by a single factor and in a limited period of time (a year and a half) gives it a personality and a unique rich sound world.
• Concerts 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 17.30.

• Theatre Charles Dullin: From 1824 theater built thanks to General Boigne, but very damaged by fire in 1864, remains above all a great stage curtain painted by Luigi Vacca and representing "The Descent of Orpheus in the Underworld." Rebuilt in 1866 by architects Pellegrini and Revel on the model of theaters "Italian" (we nicknamed "Little Scala"), the current theater houses a large room horseshoe with four sets of galleries superimposed and a small room called "concerts". It bears the name of Charles Dullin famous playwright original Savoy (1885-1949).
• The ancient city: Nestled at the foot of the Ducal Castle, the ancient center offers a dense urban fabric and original strongly influenced by the presence of water. This set is characterized by a maze of alleys, hotels individuals of Piedmontese inspiration, trompe l'oeil... This homogeneous built, protected through a conservation area, was able to open outskirts to contemporary creation.

• The Rue de Boigne: The rectilinear axis, surrounded by porticos in Turin, was pierced through the generosity of General Boigne. Real gap in the urban fabric inherited from the Middle Ages, the artery connects the column Boigne the castle of the Dukes of Savoy.
• Place Saint-Léger: primitive Heart of the city, the Place Saint-Léger is again a place of entertainment as a result of its development (late 70s). Behind its colorful facades, while a maze of alleys allows circulating current hotels, giving the city its peculiar physiognomy.
• The Rue Basse du Chateau: This street inherited from medieval times retains one of the last aerial walkways of the city.
• The Golden Cross Street: For centuries, travelers from Italy entered the city through this street. artisanal and aristocratic district until the nineteenth century, many stories are still visible: to notice the wrought iron gates of the hotel Castagnery (No. 18) and the facade of the hotel of the Marches and Bellegarde (No. 19).
• Place de Ville Hotel: the location of the Antonine convent was built in 1860, the City Hall, the symbol of the annexation to France. Part of the square was rebuilt after the 1944 bombing that destroyed 1 / 5th of the city.

• Metropolitan Cathedral St. Francis de Sales:

• The church built in the fifteenth century by the Franciscans became a cathedral in 1779, during the creation of the bishopric of Chambéry.
• It houses the largest collection of paintings in trompe l'oeil in Europe.
• His treasure retains ivory diptych of the twelfth century Byzantine inspiration.
• Its romantic organ directed by Augustin Zeiger (1847) was historical monument in 1988. A complete reconstruction of the instrument becomes unusable was performed by Atelier Pascal Quoirin in 2001. It is among the finest and most important organs of the Rhône-Alpes region, with 50 speaking registers on 3 manuals and pedal.
• Open: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 11:45 and from 15h to 18h. Sunday from 10 am to 12:15 pm and 2:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.. Place Métropole - Tel. : +33 4 79 33 25 00.
• Guided tours throughout the year as part of the ancient city visits.
• Treasury open on Saturday from 15h to 17h from 15 May to 15 September.
• Auditions organ in July and August at 17:30, preceded by a guided tour at 17h (free).

• The Notre Dame:

• From the vast Jesuit convent, remains only Notre Dame built in the seventeenth century in baroque style.
• Rue Saint Antoine.
• Tel. : +33 4 79 68 96 50.
• Open: Tuesday to Friday from 15h to 18h and Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 and from 15h to 18h30.

• The Church of Lémenc:

• Hill Lémenc is the primary occupation of the town site. The church has a crypt, religious relic among the oldest and most beautiful of Savoy. The pre-Romanesque rotunda of the crypt is extended by a portion of the fifteenth century in which was placed an entombment.
• Address: Boulevard Lemenc.
• Opening: Saturday from 17h to 18h and Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30.
• Tours for groups by reservation at +33 4 79 33 42 47 or +33 4 79 70 15 94.

• The contemporary city:

• Place Courthouse: This vast mineral-site Italian fitted in 2002 by Jean-Jacques Morisseau, together on the same level traffic lanes and pedestrian areas. It is bordered on three sides by impressive buildings: the Clermont Hotel Mont Saint Jean (or Customs) built in the late eighteenth century. by architect Lapret, the courthouse built according to Pierre-Louis Besson plans from 1850 and the Museum of Fine Arts located in the former granary stilted in 1887 by Francis Pelaz. Once in the middle of the square, the statue of Antoine Favre, President of the Senate of Savoy, and his allegories (1865) were relocated Museum side.
• The City of Arts (Aurelio Galfetti and Yann Keromnes - 2002): Built as an innovative process it uses for the first time in France a self-cleaning concrete and has a very studied acoustics. Composed of two volumes connected by a basement that preserves the view of the park and the mountains, the City of Arts houses the RRC (Regional Conservatory) of Chambéry - Pays de Savoie but also the Municipal School of Art, JSEPA (Association for the Promotion of Education and Contemporary Music in Savoy) and numerous musical associations, an auditorium, a concert hall and an exhibition area. Jardin du Verney - Tel. : +33 4 79 60 23 70.

• The district Curial: Old Barracks Infantry of the Napoleonic era built on the model of the Invalides and consists of a large courtyard surrounded by porticos. The rehabilitation of district military (square Curial and cavalry riding) was accompanied by contemporary constructions becoming one of the cultural centers of the city.

• L'Espace Malraux (Mario Botta - 1987): Allowing to host the biggest European shows of theater, music and dance, the Espace Malraux is an essential part of the cultural landscape of the Rhone-Alpes region. The building has a large room of 950 seats in the image of ancient theaters, a scene of 450 m² and a rehearsal room. An "arthouse" cinema, a show ring and two exhibition rooms with special emphasis to the image, meeting facilities, contribute to make this place a place for meetings, exchanges and confrontations full of life and energy. Such. +33 4 79 85 55 43.
• The library Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Aurelio Galfetti -1992): It makes available to the public all the classic documentary materials (books, magazines...) or the cutting edge of technology (records, CDs, CD-ROMs, DVD...) and a multimedia workshop and service for the visually impaired. It also has an important heritage background (illuminated manuscripts). Carre Curial - Tel. +33 4 79 60 04 04. Open: Tuesday and Friday from 12h to 19h; Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 18pm.
• The House of Parks and Mountain.
• The Convention Centre The Armoury (Morisseau Jean-Jacques - 1992): From the former cavalry riding school dating from the Sardinian era (1845), the architect chose to retain the original façade he put highlighted by a huge glass structure. Light and transparency are thus combined to provide warmth and charm, enhanced by the presence of 4 palms of Alicante. A unique and exceptional for all events. conference room with 400 seats. Meeting rooms (room 1 700 m²). 331 Rue de la République - Tel. : +33 4 79 33 30 30 - Email: congres@mairie-chambery.fr

• Le Phare (Jean-Loup Patriache - 2008): Fairs and exhibitions, business conventions, sports, concerts, shows... New multifunctional equipment capable of hosting large-scale economic events, sports competitions of national or international, renowned artists of shows...
• The statues, parks and gardens:

• The Fountain of the Elephants: Erected in 1838 by sculptor Sappey to pay tribute to General de Boigne (1751-1830) who, having acquired fame and fortune in India, was the great benefactor of Chambéry, his hometown. He made particular piercing Boigne street lined with porticoes to Turin. The four elephants recall the military campaigns of General Indian whose statue dominates the monument.
• The Statue of Brothers Maistre: Produced in 1899 by sculptor Dubois in memory of Joseph and Xavier de Maistre, philosopher and writer, born in Chambéry.
• The Sasson: This monument by sculptor Falguière commemorates an initial attachment of Savoy to France, which took place at the time of the Revolution in 1792. The term "Sasson" Savoyard dialect mean "fat woman".
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Work of Mars-Vallet (1910) located at Clos Savoiroux (bd Lémenc), it represents the solitary walker down to the city.
• The Black Penitents: Built in 1865 to serve as a fixed station to the Black Penitents, a confraternity of lay people who had particular duties to accompany death row inmates and ensure their burial, this monument was renovated in 2007 Recluse suburb. The cross of the Black Penitents is installed since 1861 at the top of Nivolet; it is illuminated at night and serves landmark to Chambery.
• The Round Bush Park and Castle Boigne: landscaped park laid out in 1810 by the General Boigne. Alpine Rose Garden welcoming 6 000 plants representing 83 varieties... Castle early nineteenth century.
• The park Verney: The oldest green area of ​​the city, given to Chambery by Amadeus VI, Count Green, in 1381. Many varieties of trees, plants and floral arrangements create a mosaic of colors.
• The enclosed Savoiroux: Very rich in varieties of trees and shrubs, this park has a beautiful cedar of Lebanon, imposing blue cedars of the Atlas and a magnificent copper beech.
• The garden of the Museum of Natural History: Former garden of the castle, it has a touch and scent garden for the visually impaired, and several remarkable trees: a Corsican pine, a cedar of Lebanon, a Davidia (or tree with pockets money) studded with white bracts when it blooms in June.
• The Calamine Park and Trail Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Climb through the park, very steep, the top of which you can admire Chambéry. A marked trail takes you to the House of Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Charmettes and you can go down through the park Buisson Rond.

• The trompe l'oeil: Technique highly developed Chambéry that are found in churches (Holy Chapel, Cathedral...) on the facades of houses and mansions in the climbs stairs... The Chambéry historical and contemporary Chambéry meet through this technique that the city continues (Maison des Associations...).
• Museum of Fine Arts: Primitives of Savoy (late Middle Ages). Very important collection of Italian paintings from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century (Bartolo di Fredi, Uccello, Guercino) evoking the schools of Siena, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Venice. The French school is also shown around the neoclassical (Xavier de Maistre, Langlois, Peytavin).

• Free access except temporary exhibitions.
• Address: Place du Palais de Justice.
• Tel. : +33 4 79 33 75 03.
• Open every day except Tuesdays and holidays from 10am to 12pm and 14pm to 18pm.
• Free the first Sunday of the month.
• Guided tours.

• The Savoyard museum:

• Housed in the former Franciscan monastery, it presents the Savoy through its archeology, history, ethnography and art.
• Do not miss the murals Cruet (late thirteenth century). Temporary exhibitions.
• Address: Square Lannoy de Bissy.
• Tel. : +33 4 79 33 44 48.
• Open every day except Tuesdays and holidays from 10am to 12pm and 14pm to 18pm.
• Free the first Sunday of the month.
• Guided tours.

• Les Charmettes, House of Jean-Jacques Rousseau:

• Located in the heart of a preserved valley, the country house where Jean-Jacques Rousseau lived with Madame de Warrens is an important place of literary pilgrimage. Today it is a museum with a garden, built in the spirit of the eighteenth century., Recalls the passion of the philosopher for botany.
• Temporary exhibitions.
• Free admission.
• Address: 890 chemin des Charmettes.
• Tel. : +33 4 79 33 39 44.
• Open every day except Tuesdays and holidays, from October 1 to March 31 from 10h to 12h and 14h to 16h30; 1 April to 30 September from 10am to 12pm and 14pm to 18pm.

• The Museum of Natural History: now closed.

• Surrounded by a botanical garden with remarkable trees, it exhibits interesting specimens in the field mineralogical, zoological, geological and entomological.
• Address: 208 avenue de Lyon.
• Information to the +33 4 79 62 18 68.

Main events:

• Carnival in February.
• Days of the vehicle used in March.
• World Tour at the Manege: late March and early April.
• Home Show and Garden - Eco-Energy in April.
• Jumble Spring in April.
• Open Chess Spring: May.
• First Novel Festival: May.
• The Night of museums in May.
• Cirq'ule Festival: in June.
• Market of the Continents: in June.
• Music Festival: June 21
• Fair and Solar Building: late June.
• The Summer of the Castle: June-July-August.
• City Summer: July-August.
• Musical Festivals of Savoy in July and August.
• World Folklore Festival in July.
• International Chess Festival in August.
• Chamber Music Encounters of Bel Air in September.
• Fair Savoy in September.
• Heritage Days, in September.
• Jumble Fall: late September.
• Motor Show: in October.
• International Festival of Comics: in October.
• Comedy Festival: October.
• Real Estate Show: in October.
• The Autumnal's First Novel: in November.
• Living Taste and Terroirs: end of November.
• Christmas market: in December.

Between lakes and mountains... Chambéry, ideal base to explore the Alps. Its privileged location promises every day a new field discoveries and adventures in the heart of mountains renowned for their beauty and natural threshold of three parks (Regional Parks Bauges and Chartreuse and the National Park Vanoise), close to the largest ski areas in the Alps, near the largest natural lake in France, Lake Bourget, and an emerald jewel, Lake Aiguebellette and many more lakes smaller but equally charming, such as St. Andrew Lake or Lake of Thuile. Alpine crossroads of Europe, also offers Chambéry Italy and Switzerland a few kilometers of highway for a getaway beyond borders. Chambéry, door 3 3 lakes and parks.

• Lake Bourget:

• At the gates of Chambéry, paradise ducks, birds, fishermen and vacationers, Lake Bourget glacial is the largest natural lake in France. 18 km long, it stretches languidly, oscillating between sea and inland mountain lake.
• Its western shore, uninhabited, inaccessible by land was called wild side: the wide it looks like an island, with its coves and anchorages.
• Its ecosystem has been preserved: the north end of the lake, reedbeds are home to ducks, coots, grebes, moorhens, herons and even a few cormorants.
• In its mountain setting, Lamartine and romantics made it a mecca of French poetry.
• Du Bourget-du-Lac in the Chautagne, through the Savières Canal which connects to the Rhone, Abbey Hautecombe Chambotte, Aix-les-Bains and Revard, around the lake offers many views and sights.
• All water sports are king. Swimming, diving, sailing, are part of everyday in water that reached was 25 °.
• Accessible by bike from Chambéry Green Avenue (10 km).
• Line of beaches: bus from Chambéry to the beaches during the summer.

• Lake Aiguebelette:

• Lake Aiguebelette, small pearl emerald, welcomes you in a natural setting conducive to healing, relaxation and practice sports and outdoor leisure activities.
• 3rd natural lake in France by its size of 545 hectares, is located in the heart of the Avant-Pays Savoyard and the door of the Chartreuse Natural Park.
• Its banks and its pretty slick water triangular decorated with two small islands south remained very wild and authentic. Lake Aiguebelette indeed has a remarkable ecosystem and natural areas classified and protected 70 hectares of reedbeds, meadows, wetlands and aquatic beds afforestation and ensure ecological diversity and quality of the lake water.
• Very popular with fishermen, the lake is bordered by typical sheds and garages in boats, unique heritage in Europe.
• To preserve the purity, serenity and beauty of its waters, various protective measures are implemented and thermal power boats are prohibited.
• The remarkable smoothness of the lake up to 28 ° making it an oasis of relaxation for all ages: its banks, no less than 7 beaches managed, maintained and monitored in the summer are open to swimmers and offer many recreation.

• Lake Saint André:

• Charming Havre, Lake Saint Andre is nestled at the foot of the huge north face of Mont Granier (among the highest cliffs of France - 900 m) and in the heart of the broader Savoyard wine sector whose sunny hillsides give wines the endearing specificity: Abymes, Apremont, Mondeuse Chignin-Bergeron.
• True paradise for fauna and flora, this lake will delight lovers of fishing and walkers will offer a peaceful place for relaxation.
• Accessible by bike from Chambéry Green Avenue (15 km).

• The Regional Natural Park of the Bauges just get the Geopark label:

• Overlooking Chambéry and Lake Bourget, the Bauges has been termed "Regional Park" in 1995. Since then it has maintained its agricultural activities while affirming its vocation for tourism.
• It covers 81,000 ha and 58 municipalities.
• You will discover an unspoilt island, which has tamed the time and escape the crowds. With multiple hamlets, he invites hikers to stroll to discover, at the bend of a road, a barn, a bread oven, a chapel, an oratory or a flower basin...
• On foot, on horseback, with a donkey, cycling, paragliding, skiing or snowshoeing, the Bauges is a land of discovery for walkers of all levels.
• The mountains are home to flora and fauna remarkable and varied, including the National Hunting Reserve and Wildlife Bauges that protects chamois, mountain sheep, marmots, grouse...
• The range of local products (cheese, wine) will delight the palate of gourmets and gourmands. The Bauges Tome and goat cheese "Chevrotin" both awarded the label "Appellation of Origin" combine the excellent wines AOC "Vins de Savoie" in the Combe de Savoie.
• The Bauges is also two stations: The Aillons-Le Margeriaz combination of a resort village and a pleasant stage of snow. Savoie Grand Revard, first Nordic site in France, which has a multi-activity area with three gateways: Féclaz, Revard and St. Francis de Sales.
• Discover the magic of a mountain lake a few kilometers from Chambéry: Lake La Thuile, only natural lake Bauges (874 m).

• The Regional Natural Park of Chartreuse:

• After being (in 1084) the home of Carthusian fathers, the emerald of the Alps, as oft define Stendhal, became a Regional Park in 1995.
• Stretching over 69,000 ha and 52 municipalities between the departments of Isère and Savoie, plains, hills and highlands make it an exceptional territory just a few kilometers from Chambéry.
• Traditionally land of welcome, Chartreuse offers typical and authentic villages in the midst of an omnipresent and majestic nature in everyone and in every season.
• Massif ideal for sports or discovery walks and all the pleasures of snow (snowshoeing, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, sledding...).
• Flora and wildlife are largely represented in this green unspoilt nature and spectacular (bighorn sheep, marmot, snow vole, golden eagles...).
• Also try this territory by tasting its products and strolling from studio to studio, exhibitions in museums, discovery of local crafts that has perpetuated over the years.
• Do not miss the Cirque de Saint-Même, circus spectacular, magical place, the paradise of the Chartreuse.

• The National Park of the Vanoise

• Between glaciers and mountain lakes, a wonder Standing accessed from Chambéry.
• The Vanoise National Park is the oldest national park in France. With its 107 highest altitude lakes at over 3000 m and its twenty glaciers, the Vanoise National Park is a paradise for hikers high level, but it is their not, however, reserved. In its lower parts, walkers of all fitness levels can enjoy the edelweiss, gentians, rhododendrons, or one of the 1 200 other plant varieties listed in the park.
• The fauna is also particularly well developed: there are no fewer than 2,000 ibex and chamois in 5000 the park. But you can also discover smaller mammals such as stoats, weasels or of course the famous groundhogs whose screams will reveal its presence. Vanoise is a choice hunting ground for raptors like golden eagles.
• For more info: Contact the House Parks and Mountain to Chambéry 04 79 60 04. 46