Chambéry
Former capital of the Duchy of Savoy, with a ducal château, the elephant fountain and a base for walks in the Chartreuse and Bauges mountains.
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Chambéry is a city in the Savoie department of southeastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy for centuries, and the ducal château in the old town still marks that period. The Fontaine des Éléphants, with its elephant figures, is one of the city's best-known sights. Lake Bourget, the largest natural lake in France, lies a short drive away, and the Chartreuse and Bauges mountains are close by.
Plan two to three days for the city and its surroundings, and add more if you want to spend time in the mountains. The old streets are small enough to cover on foot, so a day in town needs no car, and trains run from the city to Annecy, Grenoble and Lyon. Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best months for hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Chambéry in five
- Use Chambéry as a cheaper Alps baseRooms usually cost less than in Annecy or Chamonix, and trains reach Lyon, Grenoble, Annecy and Paris. It suits travelers who plan day trips by train.Annecy
- Walk the old town in a morningThe ducal château, the elephant fountain and the covered passages of the old center fit into a few hours. Check opening hours and any guided visits first.
- Add Lake Bourget by bus or trainAix-les-Bains on the lake is a short ride away. Check regional timetables and boat services for the season.
- Pick the trail before you pick the dayThe Chartreuse and Bauges massifs have day hikes, but weather changes fast. Check trail conditions on local tourism sites.French Alps & the Jura Mountains
Things to do in Chambéry
See all attractions in Chambéry
Need to know
- Airport
- Chambéry-Savoie (CMF) mainly seasonal; Lyon (LYS) is the main gateway
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris about 3–3.5 hours; from Lyon about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting around
- Walkable center; regional trains and buses for Annecy and Aix
- Best base
- Near the old town and station
- Time needed
- 1 day, or 2–3 as a base for the Alps
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°Snow nearbyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow nearby
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low1°Snow nearbyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow nearby
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Late snowMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Spring, openAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, open
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Green, hikingMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Warm, hikingJuneRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JulyClear9 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Mild, hikingSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, hiking
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low3°Gray, rainNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, rain
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Snow, marketsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, markets
Average daily high and low in Chambéry, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chambéry
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Chambéry
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°2°0%Tuesday: Fog. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°4°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu12°6°7%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Fri12°6°33%Friday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat13°8°21%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sun14°9°32%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 32%.
Updated 06:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulJazz à VienneLyon, a day trip
- Jun–JulFourvière NightsLyon, a day trip
- DecFestival of LightsLyon, a day trip
Before you go to Chambéry
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Rules for Chambéry, checked
- EU, EEA and Swiss passport holders can enter with a valid ID card or passport. Other nationalities need a valid passport and may need a visa. Check the French Foreign Ministry site before you book.Source
- France is in the Schengen area, so non-EU visitors can stay 90 days in any 180-day period. Count the days from your first entry, and check the rules before a longer trip.
- Meat, dairy and some plant products from outside the EU are restricted. Check French customs rules before you pack food or plants.Source
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is the usual custom.
Plan around Chambéry
Lake town 1 hour away by train
Read the guideGrenobleAlps city with cable car and trams
Read the guideChamonixMont Blanc valley, farther east
Read the guideClermont-FerrandMassif Central city for another volcano base
Read the guideLyonBig city gateway by train or air
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, cities and train routes
Read the guideChambéry FAQ
Is Chambéry worth visiting?
Yes for a calm, authentic stop on the way to the Alps. It has less to see than Annecy, so it works best as a base or a half-day.
Is Chambéry or Annecy better to stay in?
Annecy for lake views and crowds; Chambéry for lower prices and easier regional trains. They are about an hour apart.
How do you get from Lyon to Chambéry?
By train in about 1–1.5 hours, or by road in about the same. Check timetables for the day you travel.
How many days do you need in Chambéry?
One day covers the old town and château. Two or three let you add Aix-les-Bains, a hike or a trip to Annecy.
Is Chambéry good for hiking?
Yes: the Chartreuse and Bauges massifs have trails for all levels. Check conditions and weather before you go.