Coordinates: 45°34′12″N 5°54′42″E / 45.57°N 5.9118°E
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Commune of Chambéry |
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| Location | |
  Chambéry
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| Administration | |
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| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône-Alpes |
| Department | Savoie |
| Arrondissement | Chambéry |
| Intercommunality | Chambéry Métropole |
| Mayor | Bernadette Laclais (2008–2014) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 245–560 m (804–1,837 ft) (avg. 270 m/890 ft) |
| Land area1 | 20.99 km2 (8.10 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 59,188 (2006) |
| - Density | 2,820 /km2 (7,300 /sq mi) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 73065/ 73000 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Chambéry is a city in the department of Savoie, located in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
It is the capital of the department and has been the historical capital of the Savoy region since the 13th century, when Amadeus V of Savoy made the city his seat of power.
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Chambéry was founded at crossroads of ancient routes through the Dauphiné (Dôfenâ), Burgundy, Switzerland, and Italy, in a wide valley between the Bauges and the Chartreuse Mountains on the Leysse River. The metropolitan area has more than 125,000 residents, extending from the vineyard slopes of the Combe de Savoie, almost to the shores of the Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. The city is a major railway hub, at the mid-point of the Franco-Italian "Lyon-Turin Ferroviaire" rail link.
The history of Chambéry is closely linked to the House of Savoy and was the Savoyard capital from 1295 to 1563. During this time, Savoy encompassed a region that stretched from Bourg-en-Bresse in the west, across the Alps to Turin, north to Geneva, and south to Nice. To insulate Savoy from provocations by France, Duke Emmanuel Philibert moved his capital to Turin in 1563, and, consequently, Chambéry declined. At its height, Savoyard weapons were highly respected, and many of Europe's mightiest armies fought with weapons made in Savoy. France annexed the the regions that formerly constituted the Duchy of Savoy west of the Alps in 1796, however, the former Duchy and Chambéry were returned to the rulers of the rulers of the House of Savoy in Turin in 1815 following the defeat of Napoléon Bonaparte. The need for urban revitalization was met by the establishment of the Société Académique de Savoie in 1820, which was devoted to material and ethical progress, now housed in an apartment of the ducal Chateau. Chambéry, lands of the former Duchy, as well as The Duchy of Nice, were annexed by France again in 1860 under the reign of Napoléon III.
The town known as Lemencum first changed its name in the Middle-Ages during the period that the Duc de Savoie erected his castle. It was called Camefriacum in 1016, Camberiaco in 1029, Cambariacum in 1036, and Cambariaco en 1044. In the next century, Cambariaco changed to Chamberium (1233), finally becoming Chamberi in 1603. The actual name supposedly comes from the Gaulois term camboritos (a ford situated in a curve). The Latin name cambarius, meaning beer brewer, may also explain the name. Another hypothesis is that the Gallo-Roman name Camberiacum suggests the idea of currency changing (cambium) or trade (camerinum : market), or perhaps, a room (camera) where the toll taxes are collected.
The first counts of Savoy settled into an existing fortress in 1285 and expanded it in the early 14th century to serve as a residence, seat of power and administration, and as stronghold for the House of Savoy. However, it was quickly became obsolete as a serious fortification genuinely capable of resisting a siege. Due to constant French hostilities on the chateau, Duke Emmanuel Philibert decided to remove his capital to Turin.
The chateau remained purely an administrative center until Christine Marie of France, Duchess of Savoy, returned to hold court in 1640. It was the site of the 1684 marriage between Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia and Anne Marie d'Orléans, niece of Louis XIV. In 1786, Victor Amadeus III enlarged it, adding a Royal Wing.
Under Napoleon Bonaparte, the Aile du Midi ("South Wing") was rebuilt and redecorated to house the imperial prefecture of the department of Mont-Blanc. Elaborate modification to the structure were made again after Savoy was annexed by France in 1860.
Today, the political administration of the department of Savoie is located in the castle, and it is open for tours and concerts.
The Fontaine des Éléphants ("Elephants Fountain") is the most famous landmark in Chambéry. It was built in 1838 to honour Benoît de Boigne's feats when he was in India. The monumental fountain has strikingly realistic scuptures of the head and forelimbs of four lifesize elephants truncated into the base of a tall column in the shape of the savoyan (savoyarde) cross, topped by a statue of de Boigne. At first, the landmark was mocked by the local residents who were annoyed by it, but it now is accepted as one of the city's symbols. Since the early controversy, the statue kept its nickname of les quatre sans culs, ("the four without arses", which sounds in French like the title of the best-known movie by nouvelle vague director François Truffaut: Les quatre-cent coups, "The 400 Blows").
The Cistercian Abbey of Hautecombe, founded in 1135, is one of the burial places of the rulers of the House of Savoy. Saint Francis de Sales officiated at Notre-Dame de Myans (established before the 12th century). Francis I of France went to Notre-Dame de l'Aumône at Romilly in the 13th century as a pilgrim. The Sisters of St Joseph, an order founded at Chambéry in 1812, devotes itself to teaching and charitable work, and today, its members are now widespread.
Chambéry Airport serves Chambéry. The Chambéry–Challes les Eaux station provides rail connections, including a nonstop TGV service to Paris-Gare de Lyon. High-speed rail service also continues east along the Maurienne Valley and through the Fréjus Rail Tunnel to Turin, Italy.
Chambéry is home to the 13th Battalion of the Chasseurs Alpins.
Chambéry was the birthplace of:
Chambéry is twinned with:
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Chambery is a beautiful town in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Chambéry is the birthplace and historic capital of Savoie. Throughout history, it has been both Italian and French. It lies in a valley in the Alps surrounded by the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges and provides almost 360-degree views of the French Alps. To the north, it is bordered by Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. Chambery has long been a "crossroads to the Alps" dating all the way back to the 11th century. For many years, it was ruled by the Duchy of Savoie before being annexed to the King of France. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man (the French version of the Bill of Rights) while living in Chambery.
Chambery is a charming, peaceful place to visit with beautiful architecture, good food and wine, and friendly people. There are many vineyards in the area that visitors can enjoy, and on Saturdays, the city public market is abuzz with the freshest cheeses, meats, and local produce from the Alps. The area offers many recreational activities to choose from in all seasons, from skiing and snowshoeing, to sailing and rock climbing. The famous Tour de France bicycle race comes through the area in the summer. Chambery also boasts the Savoie Technolac research park and the Universite de Savoie, and a mountain research center.
Chambéry has direct TGV from Paris and other trains (TER, Train Express Regional) to all major destinations of the region. It takes 3.5 hours to get to Chambery on the direct TGV. Chambery is easily accessible to Lyon, Grenoble, Chamonix, Geneva (Switzerland), and Turin (Italy.)
It is linked by motorways to
There is also a small airport, Aéroport de Chambéry-Savoie (IATA: CMF, ICAO: LFLB)[1], 10km north of the city, next to Lac du Bourget, that is served by a number of cheap airlines, especially during the winter months.
Chambery is compact in size and is easily explored on foot. The medieval section of the town is quite well preserved. There are also local and regional buses. If you wish to explore the mountains or go on a wine tour, car rentals are available in town.
If you want a bit of exercise, you can also rent a bicycle and explore a bit further. Bicycles can be rented from the Vélostation in front of the train station: Agence Ecomobilité http://agence.ecomobilite.free.fr/ Only 3 euros for a half day and 5 euros for a full day. Open Monday-Friday 6:30 am to 7 pm and from 9 am to 7 pm on weekends and holidays.
Cycle paths: a cycle route goes from the centre of town north to the Lac du Bourget (mostly a cycle lane which is separate from the road) and another goes south into the vineyards (mixture of separate cycle lane and quiet country roads).
Shopping, eating, drinking, visiting vineyards, hiking, boating, skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding
A light, yet sturdy knife from local company "Opinel"
Cheap shoes and clothing from the store Axo. Hard to find (ask the locals for directions) and terribly disorganized, but the prices are very good. A pair of ballerina flats usually goes for around 8 euros.
Fondue savoyarde, tartiflette, crêpes
Vins de Savoie, Chartreuse, O'Cardinal's Pub
BEST HOTEL CHAMBERY
Located: 9, rue Denfert Rochereau, 73000 Chambery
It is situated in the centre of Chambery near the Savoy University. It includes 40 soundproof bedrooms on three floors, which all include bathroom, telephone, satellite TV and car space in front of the hotel to deposit luggage. English, Spanish, French and Italian is spoken. The hotel also includes an indoor swimming pool, tennis, skating rink and an equestrian centre.
Hotel Facilities: Internet - wireless internet is available in all rooms and is free of charge, Guest Parking - Private parking is possible at a location nearby and cost roughly EUR 6.00 ($9.60) per day.
Children and extra beds: Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1
Price: EUR 90 ($144) per day
Check-In: 12.00 hours
Check-Out: 11.00 hours
ALL ROOMS ARE NON-SMOKING!!
CHÂTEAU DE CANDIE (90~160 Euros + Restaurant, 23~55 Euros) Address: 38, rue Bobby Sands, 73000, Chambéry-le-Vieux (5 km from Chambéry) Tel.: (33)(4)79966300 Fax: (33)(4)79966310 Five minutes from the centre of Chambéry, this massive XIVth Century Château had its beautiful rooms elegantly renovated. The cuisine is inspired by its Savoy roots: sautéed mushrooms and crawfish, omble chevalier meunière, beef fillet seasoned with Szechuan pepper. Great cheeses and wines. All food served in the "Orangerie".
L'ESSENTIEL (27~53 Euros) Address: 183, place de la Gare, 73000, Chambéry. Tel.: (33)(4)79969727 Fax: (33)(4)79961778 Closed on Saturday Lunches & all Sundays. A contemparary decor and inventive regional cuisine, served with local Savoy wines.
L'HYPOTÉNUSE (14~35 Euros) Address: Carré Curial, 73000, Chambéry. Tel.: (33)(4)79858015 Fax: (33)(4)79858018 Closed on Saturday lunches & all Sundays as well as July 15th~August 15th. In a space full of silence and fresh air, this restaurant offers a seasomal cuisine created with locally grown products at a reasonable price.
AUX PIÉTONS Address: Place Monge, 73000, Chambéry. Tel.: (33)(4)79855245 Closed on Sundays & Tuesday nights. Gearty local specialities: cheese fondue, tartiflette and brasérade.
LE TONNEAU (17~35 Euros) Address: 2, rie Saint-Antoine, 73000, Chambéry. Tel.: (33)(4)79337826 Fax: (33)(4)79854969 Closed on Sunday evenings & all Sundays. An elegent restaurant with a shaded terrace for summer dining. Great service and food.
LE SAINT REAL RESTAURANT Address: Place Pierre Dumas, 73000 Chambery Telephone Number: 04 79 70 09 33 Website: http://www.restaurant-saint-real.com/en/ Situated in the heart of the Old Town of Chambery, near the famous Fontaine des Elephants. Le Saint Real Restaurant caters for any occasion including; business meals, romantic dinners, birthday meals and family dinners, take your time to discover high quality food within an elegant and exquisite setting.
Menu Suggestions: - The fresh duck stove foie gras with the Victoria pineapple white rum and ice - Hazel nuts fried of roe deer Corsican juice to currents - Rack of lamb roasted in a nuts crust - Selection of fresh and refined cheese - Selection of delicious desserts
Aix-les-Bains, Annecy, La Feclaz
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