Chambéry
Former Capital of Savoy
Located at the foot of the Massif de Chartreuse and about 60km/37m north of Grenoble, Chambéry used to be the capital of Savoy until 1563 when the Duke moved his capital from Chambéry to Turin. Later in 1792 France annexed areas of Savoy, including Chambéry, west of the Alps but they were returned following Napoleon’s defeat in 1815. Finally however, these territories which also included the County of Nice, become part of France again following a plebiscite of 1860.
In the old town you can see and visit the Château des Ducs and enjoy the Fontaine des Éléphants near the Cathedral dedicated to the local military adventurer General Benoît de Boigne who spent time in India.