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About the Savoie region of the Rhone Alps

AREAS

Avant Pays Savoyard. Situated between Lyon, the old capital of France which is still considered to be the France’s gastronomic centre, and Chambéry. Its rolling hill’s boast a rich heritage of adobe houses, castles, barns and churches. In the centre of the region lies Lac Aigubelette, the third largest natural lake in France, whose calm, turquoise waters can reach temperatures of 28°C. The Parc Naturel Régional de la Chartreuse to the southwest of this area is a large limestone plateau largely covered with forest with a fascinating geological history.

The Combe de Savoie, once guarded by castles such as the Forteresse de Miolans, has long been an important crossroads and thoroughfare. The area is also an important wine-producing region, with the Combe de Savoie wine route bringing together 22 different wines, two of which have been awarded AOC status. 270km of cycle routes recognised by the Fédération Française de Cyclisme make this region a paradise for mountain-biking enthusiasts.

The Beaufortain and Val d'Arly offer stunning landscapes, with Mont-Blanc as a backdrop, flower-filled villages clinging to the hillsides, deep blue reservoirs, and green mountain pastures dotted with grazing Abondance and Tarine cattle. It will come as no surprise to learn that the famous Beaufort and Reblochon cheeses are made in this mountain region! Here you will find many ski resorts relatively unknown to the British tourist but increasingly popular as a summer destination.

When you think of the Tarentaise, which is essentially a vast area carved out by the huge glaciers, it brings to mind the Winter Olympics and famous ski resorts such as Courchevel, Méribel, St Martin de Belleville, Tignes, Val d'Isère and La Plagne. But don’t be deceived it is also well worth a visit for its Baroque chapels, picturesque hamlets with colonnaded houses and the wide-open spaces of the Parc National de la Vanoise. The diversity of the flora and fauna in this area is well-known and attracts nature lovers as well as snow sport fans!

Marked by important historical events, the upper Maurienne valley offers a perfect combination of traditional villages and Alpine landscapes (Bonneval-sur-Arc, Valloire, Albiez-Montrond etc). The valley has a history spanning 1,000 years, as witnessed by the many fortresses and Baroque sites located here. The Parc National de la Vanoise, a spectacular range of sparkling glaciers, is situated in the heart of the valley. Large relatively unknown ski areas are located here just waiting to be discovered.