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Postcards: Chambéry (FR)

We had two hours to kill after returning our Vélonecy bikes following a day of bike-about Lake Annecy and retrieving our bags from Marc’s cellar. With tickets back to Paris via Chambéry, when we spotted a regional train due to leave for Chambéry pretty much right away, we did not hesitate jumping on it. That should give us time to quickly explore the historical capital of Savoy, buy something for dinner, and grab the capital-bound TGV.

Chambéry

Chambéry

Located in a valley surrounded by mountains, the medieval section of the town is within a short walk away from the train station. It is compact and can be easily visited on foot within an hour or two. The many heraldry-based flags hung conferred an atmosphere of the past, and I was half-expecting some knights to ride down the streets in armours and all set to joust each other! It was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday evening when we were there, with few people and even less traffic around.

The most striking landmark was not the castle of the Dukes of Savoie, even if it is an impressive stronghold, but the Fontaine des Éléphants with its four lifesize half-elephants which seem to emerge from the tall central column. It was built nearly some 180 years ago in honour of Benoît de Boigne, a local man, a military general, and a benefactor of Chambéry who made his fortune in India (hence the elephants), eventually donating much of his fortune back to his hometown.

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

Chambéry

There was fun to be had with impromptu side visit like this, surveying the streets randomly and locating the heart of the town, but there was also the less enjoyable part of carrying our bags with us. I got lucky that I was dealing with only the daypack filled with our electronics and photography gears, while F was the mule who handled the backpack containing the rest of our stuff. Hiking boots are never particularly lightweight…



Category: Europe, France, Travel

Tagged: , , , ,

2 scribbles & notes

  1. medca says:

    Good exercise and no time wasted ;) it wasn’t hot and humid right the weather?

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