Welcome to Savoie
This is a region full of history wherever you look at it. It is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes department and is said to be the kingdom of white gold. Savoy has all the keys to satisfy mountain, nature and sports enthusiasts.
It was created at the time of the former Duchy of Savoy and has passed under French sovereignty and was divided into two departments: Savoy and Haute Savoy. It borders the departments of Haute-Savoy to the north, Ain and Isère to the west and Hautes-Alpes to the south, as well as Italy to the east.
The department is also known as Pays de Savoy or Savoy Mont Blanc sometimes in the media and official institutions. Moreover, it has two distinct zones: the alpine terrain, the Préalpes and the Alps that cross the alpine furrow and on the other hand the Arve river from Geneva in Chamonix and the external and internal Alps.
What to see in Savoie?
This department is home to some of the world's most famous winter sports resorts and ski areas. The route of the Grands Alpes, which offers magnificent scenery in snow-capped mountains and mountain pastures where cows graze, allows you to travel through passages at an altitude of over 2,000 metres.
The climate of Savoy depends on the particular situation of the valley because wind and altitude are two of the most important natural phenomena in relation to the climate. Winters are generally very cold, but the sun sometimes appears from time to time, and with it, higher temperatures.
As for the rivers, they all flow directly or indirectly into the Rhône and the Mediterranean. Among others, there is the Rhône, which has long been France’s border.
What curiosities are there?
The most popular historic and artistic town is Chambéry, the capital of Savoy, where you can find several ski resorts to enjoy winter sports with family or friends, but you can also see many important buildings such as churches and palaces.
Tignes, for example, is a good choice for skiing enthusiasts as it is located on the Grand Motte, where you can ski all year round, but the glacier has lost much of its height and sometimes these resorts are closed.
Another destination is Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, home to one of the best three-star restaurants in the Alps, La Buitte. It is also interesting to visit here the ski resort of Méribel, which preserves the wood and stone architecture characteristic of this region.
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Where can you sleep?
It should be noted that this area is predominantly mountainous and so there is plenty of accommodation of all types up in the mountains.
Some good places to stay for the night, in addition to those mentioned above are Brides-les-Bains, Bourg-Saint-Maurice or Valloire.
If you go to Chambéry, you must visit the Cathedral of Saint-François-de-Sales, former residence of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy, which is shaped like a castle, has pedestrian streets and it is home to the famous Elephant Fountain.
What to do in the area?
Lake Le Bourget, the largest lake in France, is a place not to be missed. It is surrounded by hills and mountains, but also offers plenty of water and sport activities to do.
If Savoy is famous for something, it is for its huge ski slopes with a very modern structure.
It is the perfect place for lovers of outdoor winter sports such as hiking or cross-country skiing. You can enjoy it in any season of the year.
What typical foods are recommended?
Don't miss the Savoyard Fondue, which is traditionally made with three cheeses: Comté Vieux, Emmental and Beaufort. Nowadays everyone knows what this dish is, a pot of melted cheese, but here it's just too tasty not to enjoy it here.
Tartiflette, a savoury tart with potato and Reblochon cheese served in a pan made since the 1980s, is inspired by an even more traditional dish called "la pela".
And rissoles aux poires for dessert, a speciality similar to chausson aux poires which uses specific types of pear like rissoles because they are very hard and must be eaten cooked.
Where are the festivities?
First up is the Chestnut Festival in Chambéry, a tradition where a popular arts and traditions group called La Savoie organises food in a very family-friendly atmosphere with tastings of dishes and sporting demonstrations in October.
Then there is the Autumn Fair in Lescheraines also in October, an open space to find anything you want, for example, you will see farm animals, clothes, tools or work clothes.
And the Fête de l'Attelage in Flumet in August, where around twenty animal-drawn vehicles traditionally converge on Flumet, an important old inn in the heart of the Val d'Arly, between Albertville and Megève.
