Savoie: Hotels and accommodation

File:FRA — Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — Département Haute-Savoie — commune de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc — Chamonix (Wegebahn) — 2024-07-21 Mattes.jpg Photo: Photo: Mateus2019

Savoie is closely associated with Vanoise National Park, which was established in 1963 as France’s first national park. The Massif des Bauges and the Chartreuse regional nature parks are also part of the region’s natural environment. Natural habitats stretch between marshes and glaciers, hosting more than 15,000 species.

If you would like to find or book a hotel in Savoie, you can make the accommodation a separate part of your travel planning.

Nature

The network of sensitive natural areas in Savoie comprises 19 sites spread throughout the region. These areas may include educational trails, visitor facilities and opportunities to discover nature.

The Savoie département has designated seven key areas for outdoor activities. Savoie also has more than 2,600 kilometres of signposted cycling routes.

Winter activities

In the resorts of Savoie Mont Blanc, themed hikes and night-time excursions are part of the range of Nordic activities. Visitors can also go sledging and learn how to drive a team.

Vanoise National Park has almost 400 kilometres of signposted hiking trails starting from villages and resorts in Maurienne and Tarentaise. The Via Alpina and the GR®5 cross the Vanoise Massif from north to south.

Rando Vanoise lists around 60 routes in the park’s core area and more than 250 routes in Maurienne and Tarentaise. A network of mountain refuges provides accommodation and meals throughout the Vanoise Massif.

Culture and history

The Musée Savoisien is located in a 13th-century monastery and displays 2,000 objects in seven themed rooms. The interactive presentations include an alpine chalet, a winter sports studio, digital games, films and projected maps.

The Château des ducs de Savoie combines a fortress and a princely palace with buildings dating from the 13th century to the present day. The Abbaye de Hautecombe was founded as a Cistercian abbey in the 12th century and contains the necropolis of the princes of Savoie. Audio-guided tours are available in its church.

The Musée d’art et d’histoire d’Albertville is housed in the 14th-century Maison rouge and overlooks the medieval cité de Conflans.

Food and drink

Savoie’s culinary traditions include Farcement, Diots, Crozets and Rissoles. In Savoie Mont Blanc, farms and cheese-aging cellars open for visits, including demonstrations of cheese-making followed by tastings.

Savoie’s wine designations include Vin des Allobroges as an IGP, as well as Roussette de Savoie, Seyssel and Vins de Savoie under the AOC/AOP designations.