Things to Do in Chambéry & Aix-les-Bains | French Alps Travel Guide

Things to Do in Chambéry & Aix-les-Bains | French Alps Travel Guide

Hello there guys. Welcome back to the 
channel. Today we are in Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains. We’re going to explore these two 
historic centers, get a bit lost, and see what we can discover. So allez-y, let’s get going.
Let’s start here in Chambéry. This city dates back to the 11th century and was the seat of the 
powerful Dukes of Savoy. The Château des Ducs de Savoie still towers over the old town, a true 
glimpse into medieval life. Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll spot Renaissance façades, 
cozy cafés, and the Fountain of Elephants—a quirky monument built for a local hero in 1838.
Things are closed on a Sunday in France, but it’s a good thing if you’re just looking to get 
some tourist pictures or simply enjoy the streets when there are fewer people around. And you can’t 
miss Chambéry Cathedral. This 15th-century Gothic gem houses breathtaking artwork and an organ 
that fills the space with incredible music. Little travel tip for you: if you’re going 
into the cathedral, there’s a little Irish bar just here. I’m just saying—I don’t 
need to tell you what you need to do there. From hidden alleyways to bustling squares, 
Chambéry blends history and charm like nowhere else. As you’re walking around Chambéry, 
you’ll notice elephants on the ground guiding you through the tourist area, taking 
you to this famous elephant monument. If you’re wondering why it’s here, it wasn’t just 
my country that went to India and took things. There was a famous local man from here who did the 
same thing, and they built this in his memory. A kind of side joke is that you can’t see the backs 
of the elephants, so locally it’s called the “monument with no asses,” or something like that.
I decided to have lunch at Place Saint-Léger. I went for a raclette wrap—basically 
a raclette kebab with gooey Savoy cheese in a street-food spin.
For accommodation, I stayed at the Petit Hôtel Confidentiel, a five-star 
boutique hotel right in the heart of the old town. I picked this hotel because it has 
a spa and it’s really close to the château. Welcome to Aix-les-Bains. This town has been 
a hotspot since Roman times. Famous for its thermal baths and healing waters, it quickly 
became a playground for nobility and artists seeking relaxation and luxury. Don’t miss the 
beautiful Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France—perfect for boating, swimming, 
or just soaking in the Alps’ stunning views. As you’re driving between the two 
towns—Aix-les-Bains to Chambéry—there’s a lovely place here called Plage du Lido, and it’s 
the best one I’ve seen so far. You can see fishing boats here and loads of little nooks and crannies 
to get lost in. There is a swimming area a bit further along towards the town of Aix-les-Bains, 
but for me this spot is a bit quieter. As you stroll through the streets, 
you’ll see grand casinos, stylish villas, and charming cafés. From lakeside walks 
to historic streets, Aix-les-Bains is the perfect mix of history, beauty, and leisure.
We are not in London—we are in Aix-les-Bains—but the best part of this town is actually the 
little English Square here. I did just have to explain to some French people that the Queen 
is dead; she’s not hiding in that post box. Just to add in as I’m walking through the town, 
I came here in summer and now it’s the end of summer. I would say that this town is kind of like 
the baby brother of Évian, and Chambéry is almost like the little brother of Annecy. They’ve 
kind of got those vibes—it’s a bit similar. And if you want my honest opinion, the town 
of Aix-les-Bains doesn’t have much going on, but the lake area makes it all worthwhile.
We are in the heart of Chambéry. I’ve just met this lady. What was your name?
Sara. And you’re from Italy?
Yeah. I heard some Italians here. Is 
Chambéry popular with Italians? Uh, yeah, quite popular.
Yeah, because it’s in the middle between Italy and France, right? So is it just for the location 
or is it known in Italy for something else? Um, I was curious to know the city and it’s a 
good point to meet my friend. She lives in Paris, so it’s good for me to find a point in 
the middle between my place and her place. And what would you say for other 
tourists? Is it worth coming? Yeah, it’s a nice city—there are many nice 
things to see and to discover, so yep, why not? Right. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome. And a must-visit place in Chambéry is the Museum 
of Fine Arts, home to a remarkable collection of Italian Renaissance and European masterpieces. 
Once a bustling corn market, today it opens a window into centuries of creativity. The 
museum’s story even includes a scandal: in 1999, its famed portrait La Canne—once 
thought to be by Paolo Uccello—was stolen. But the mystery ends well; the painting was 
found again and now hangs safely in the gallery. I hope you enjoyed that tour of Chambéry 
and Aix-les-Bains. It’s a thumbs up from me. And like I said in the video, it’s very much 
similar to Évian and Annecy. But to be honest, I think I preferred Chambéry to Annecy 
because there were fewer people and it just has a bit more of a magical ambiance.
If anyone knows where I am in this video here, this is the next video. It’s the 
last hike of the season and we are in Haute-Savoie again. We’ve got Neuchâtel 
coming up, Gstaad, and where else? Fribourg, Murten, some other places, possibly 
Seville, Istanbul, and maybe Vietnam. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe, 
and I’ll see you in the next video. Cheers, guys.

Explore Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains in the French Alps. We begin in Chambéry with the Château des Ducs de Savoie, the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-François-de-Sales, and the Elephant Monument before stopping for lunch and showing my hotel. The journey continues in Aix-les-Bains with views of Lake Bourget and a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts.

A complete travel guide through history, culture, and landscapes in Savoie. Perfect if you are searching for things to do in Chambéry, visiting Aix-les-Bains, or planning a French Alps itinerary.

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