Nestled in the Rhone-Alpes region of France, the breathaking city of Chambery is the birthplace of Savoie. If you are into remarkable architecture, friendly people, great culture and exquisite foods and wines, Chambery is your perfect destination. And, if you are also looking for tranquil atmosphere during your vacation, you should go to Chambery. Make sure that you do the 8 best things to do in Chambery below:
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1. Take the time to stroll the picture perfect Old Town
No one can resist the charm of the Old Town of Chambery. A maze of streets and private mansions are what make the Old Town unique. It always feels so nice and pleasant to stroll the Old Town, which used to be the most aristocratic area of Chambery. So, make sure that you take the time to have a relaxed walk around the Old Town.
2. Take a walk at the Place Saint-Léger
Now that you are done strolling the Old Town of Chambery with satisfaction, you can take a walk at the Place Saint-Léger, which is actually not a place like a city square, but it is a long and beautiful street that is also the main street for pedestrians. Walking along the Place Saint-Léger, you will notice how the buildings around the street are painted in pastel colors. If you are getting a little bit tired taking a walk, you can visit a cafe or a restaurant in that area. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants that you can choose from.
Place Saint-Léger
Address: Place Saint-Léger, 73000 Chambéry, France
3. Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry is an art museum, one that you must visit in Chambery. What you can expect to see here is a large collection of art works from between the 1300s and 1700s, most of which are Italian art works, not French. Other than the permanent collection, you may also find some temporary shows in the museum.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry
Address: Place du palais de Justice, 73000 Chambéry, France
Website: Musée des beaux-arts de Chambéry
4. Drop by the Museum of Charmettes - House of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Who has never heard of Jean-Jacques Rousseau? Now that you are going to visit Chambery, you need to visit the house where Jean-Jacques Rousseau lived. It is a small, lovely house on the edge of Chambery. You can see some of Rousseau’s possessions inside the house. The surrounding garden is an 18th-century garden that is also beautiful to see.
Museum of Charmettes - House of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Address: 890 Chemin des Charmettes, 73000 Chambéry, France
5. Marvel at the Castle of the Dukes of Savoie
Moving on from the house of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, you should head to your next destination, that is the Castle of the Dukes of Savoie. You should first marvel at the castle simply because it is beautiful and is probably the most impressive building that you may spot in Chambery. The Castle of the Dukes of Savoie used to be a residential place of the Savoie family for centuries. The castle was built in the 11th-century in a late Gothic style. There is a Holy Chapel in the castle. You can visit the exhibition rooms from Tuesday to Sunday for free. However, if you are interested in visiting the Holy Chapel and other parts of the castle, you can choose a guided visit with an entrance fee.
Castle of the Dukes of Savoie
Address: Place du Château, 73000 Chambéry, France
6. See the Fontaine des Éléphants
The Fontaine des Éléphants is probably the most famous landmark in Chambery. Listed as a French historical monument, the Fontaine des Éléphants have four elephants, one on each side. What is so unique about the elephant is that you can only see the two front legs and the head, it is the same for all the four elephants. The fountain was built as the commemoration for Benoît de Boigne, you can see its statue on the very top of the fountain.
Fontaine des Éléphants
Address: 10 Place des Éléphants, 73000 Chambéry, France
Website: Fontaine des Éléphants (in French)
7. Admire the Chambéry Cathedral
The Chambéry Cathedral is not a massive cathedral that you may find in other cities in France, but despite its small size, the cathedral is worth visiting. The very first thing that you may notice is the remarkable interior, which boasts its Italian trompe l’oeil painting. You should spend some time admiring the beauty of the cathedral.
Chambéry Cathedral
Address: Chambéry Cathedral
Website: Chambéry Cathedral
8. Make a visit to the Galerie Eurêka
Last but not least, we have the Galerie Eurêka on our list. What is Galerie Eurêka? You will not see a collection of art works in this gallery as it is a center of scientific, technical and industrial culture. Have a fun time observing and enjoying the permanent exhibition on the theme of the mountains, which covers the largest area in the museum. There is also a smaller area for temporary exhibitions and the smallest area devoted to scientific news.
Galerie Eurêka
Address: 116 Rue de la République, 73000 Chambéry, France
Facebook: Galerie Eurêka
Explore and get the best of Chambery!
The only way to get the best of Chambery and have an unforgettable time in the charming city is by doing the 8 best things listed above. Make sure that you do not miss out on even one single activity. Let the charm of Chambery do its magic on you! Don’t blame the city for being so charming that you do not want to go back home once your vacation time in Chambery is over.
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