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Coordinates: 45°34′12″N 5°54′42″E / 45.57°N 5.9118°E
Chambéry (Italian: Ciamberì or Sciamberì) is commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It is the capital of the department and has been the historical capital of the Savoy region since the 13th century, when Amadeus V of Savoy made it his seat of power.
[edit] GeographyChambéry was founded at crossroads of ancient routes through the Dauphiné (Dôfenâ), Burgundy, Switzerland, and Italy, in a valley between the Bauges and the Chartreuse Mountains on the Leysse River. The metropolitan area has more than 125,000 inhabitants, extending from the vineyard slopes of the Combe de Savoie, almost to the shores of the Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. The city is a major railway hub, at the mid-point of the Franco-Italian "Lyon-Turin Ferroviaire" rail link. [edit] HistoryThe history of Chambéry is closely linked to the House of Savoy and was the Savoyard capital from 1295 to 1563. During this time, Savoy encompassed a region that stretched from Bourg-en-Bresse in the west, across the Alps to Turin, north to Geneva, and south to Nice. Eventually, to insulate Savoy from provocations by France, Duke Emmanuel Philibert moved his capital to Turin in 1563, and, consequently, Chambéry declined. At its height, Savoyard weapons were highly respected, and many of Europe's mightiest armies fought with weapons made in Savoy. Chambéry and the Duchy of Savoy were returned to the rulers of the House of Savoy in 1815. The need for urban revitalization was met by the establishment of the Société Académique de Savoie in 1820, which was devoted to material and ethical progress, now housed in an apartment of the ducal Chateau. [edit] ToponymyIn the Middle-Age, the town (formerly called Lemencum) changed name during the Duc de Savoie’s castle erection : it was called Camefriacum in 1016), Camberiaco in 1029, Cambariacum in 1036 and Cambariaco en 1044. In the next century, in approximately 1100, Cambariaco changes into Chamberium (1233) to finally become Chamberi in 1603. The actual name is supposed to come from the gaulois camboritos (a ford situated in a curve). The latin name cambarius, meaning beer brewer, could also be an explanation. Another hypothesis would be the gallo-roman word Camberiacum that might suggest the idea of change (cambium) or trade (camerinum : market), or else the room (camera) where the toll taxes are collected.  [edit] Main sights[edit] Château de ChambéryThe first counts of Savoy settled into an existing fortress in 1285 and expanded it in the early 14th century to serve as residence, as seat of power and administration, and as stronghold for the House of Savoy. As a serious fortification genuinely capable of resisting a siege, it was quickly obsolete. Due to constant French hostilities, Duke Emmanuel Philibert decided to remove his capital to Turin. The chateau remained purely an administrative centre, until Christine of France, Duchess of Savoy, returned to hold court in 1640. In 1786 Victor Amadeus III added a Royal Wing. Under Napoleon, the Aile du Midi ("South Wing") was rebuilt and redecorated to house the imperial prefecture of the department of Mont-Blanc. Elaborate modification to the structure were made after Savoy was annexed by France in 1860. Today, the political administration of the department of Savoie is located in the castle.    [edit] Fontaine des ÉléphantsThe Fontaine des Éléphants ("Elephants Fountain") is surely the most famous landmark in Chambéry. It was built in 1838 to honour Benoît de Boigne's feats when he was in India. This statue, which represents the forelimbs of four elephants truncated in a column in the shape of the savoyan (savoyarde) cross was first hooted by the inhabitants, annoyed to see elephants in their city, but it appears that now, most of them have accepted. Witness of the previous dislike, the statue kept its nickname of les quatre sans culs, ("the four without arse(s)" sounding almost like the title of the best-known movie of the most prominent nouvelle vague director François Truffaut : "Les quatre-cent coups"/The 400 Blows). [edit] OthersThe Cistercian Abbey of Hautecombe, founded in 1135, is one of the burial places of the House of Savoy. Saint Francis de Sales officiated at Notre-Dame de Myans (established before the 12th century). Francis I of France went to Notre-Dame de l'Aumône at Romilly (13th century) as a pilgrim. The Sisters of St Joseph, an order founded at Chambéry in 1812 and devoted to teaching and charitable work, are now widespread. [edit] TransportationChambéry Airport serves Chambéry. Chambéry - Challes les Eaux station provides rail connections, including a nonstop TGV service to Paris-Gare de Lyon. Services also head east along the Maurienne Valley and through the Fréjus Rail Tunnel to Turin in Italy. [edit] MilitaryChambéry is home to the 13th Battalion of the Chasseurs Alpins. [edit] Notable peopleChambéry was the birthplace of:
[edit] Sister citiesChambéry is twinned with: [edit] See also
[edit] References[edit] External links
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