Savoie

The SAVOIE is mainly known for its mountains (The Mont Blanc and the French Alps) and its cheeses (Beaufort, Tomme, Reblochon, Raclette). The region has indeed some of the most beautiful parts of the Alps, including the Vanoise National Park, Beaufortin and Aravis. Highly populated in the valleys, for example ANNECY, CHAMBERY or ALBERTVILLE compared to the mountains which are little populated, the Savoie is a region of contrast.

SAVOIE

ANNECY is famous for its beautiful lake and its old centre. The “Petite Venise Savoyarde” in its centre reveals a surprising set of medieval houses, quays, narrow streets, restaurants and boutiques.

Savoie includes France’s first National Park in the VANOISE mountain range.

Useful websites (in English):

Tourist information site of Savoie-Mont Blanc: www.savoie-tourisme.com

Tourist board of Annecy: www.tourisme-annecy.net

Savoie (or Savoy in English) is part of the Rhône-Alpes region whose capital is Lyon, the second largest city of France in terms of population. Today, Savoie is divided into two départements: la Savoie (73) and la Haute-Savoie (74) with respective capital cities of Chambéry and Annecy.

The Two Savoies

Lyon is incontestably the centre of influence in Savoie as in the rest of Rhône-Alpes, in the history of this region there has been little rivalry between the two Savoies. The proximity of regional centres such as Geneva in Switzerland and Grenoble have a great economic influence although Annecy or Chambéry are strictly speaking located in the heart of the ancient province. Administrative affairs are therefore managed from both these cities at the edge of their respective départements. To find the historic centres of Savoie, one must go deeper in the valleys and visit Albertville, Abondance, Chamonix, Megève, Moutiers or Bourg Saint-Maurice.

The historic Savoy

The famous crossing of the Alps by Hannibal and his elephants shows how strategic the Savoie region is and its importance to Italy and France. Savoie has always kept a strong regional identity like Alsace or Brittany. This great strategic position has therefore given the House of Savoy (the Duchy of Savoy) more power and influence.

After several years of rebellion between France and Savoie, the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 gave justice to the Duke of Savoy. Duke Victor-Amédée II became King of Sicilia and then of Sardinia, hence pushing Savoie into the Italian world. In 1860, the Savoyards (people from Savoie) were asked to vote by referendum about the opportunity to become French… which they responded with a OUI! (130,533 oui against 235 non).

Climate

In the past, winter used to condemn the Savoie inhabitants to inactivity. Today, this season has obviously become the busiest season for most villages and ski resorts. The constant improvement of equipment has allowed the winter sports activities to take place from the first snowfalls in autumn through to May. Savoie can have long beautiful sunny days throughout summer with regular temperatures reaching 20°C in the Tarentaise. Temperatures around the Great Lakes of Geneva, Annecy or Le Bourget would be milder.