June 10, 2018

Monument des Pénitents Noirs

The Monument des Pénitents Noirs is located in Faubourg Reclus, a suburb of Chambéry. It was built at the behest of the Pénitents Noirs (Black Penitents), a Christian order tasked with taking care of those sentenced to death, by administering last rites, accompanying them to the gallows and burying the corpses. In Chambéry, they originally gathered around a large cross located at the execution ground near Parc du Verney. But when the park was redesigned in 1860, that cross was moved to the top of the Dent du Nivolet, a mountain above Chambéry: The cross (actually rebuilt a couple of times) is now known as the Croix du Nivolet and is a popular hiking destination. The Penitents also had the Monument built in Faubourg Reclus to serve as a new gathering place.

June 9, 2018

Parc du Verney (Chambéry)

The Parc du Verney is a park in Chambéry, dating from the 14th century. It was redesigned in its current shape in 1860.

March 30, 2018

Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry

The Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry (Chambéry Cathedral) is a Catholic church in the old town of Chambéry (Savoie), dedicated to Saint François de Sales. The building dates from the 15th century, when it was constructed as a Franciscan chapel and is decorated with the largest ensemble of trompe l’oeil painting in Europe, made by artist Casimir Vicario in 1834.

November 23, 2014

Walk in Chambéry

Chambéry is a city in Savoie, France, located 10km south of Lac du Bourget. It is the former capital of the duchy of Savoy.

November 22, 2014

Along Lac du Bourget by bike

After getting back to Aix-les-Bains from Mont Revard, I took my bike on the Voie Verte du Lac du Bourget, a bike lane (actually shared with roller skaters and pedestrians) next to the lake. Lac du Bourget is the biggest lake in France and the bike lane only goes along a small part of its shore. When I arrived at Bourget-du-Lac at the southern shore of the lake, I took the Avenue Verte Nord de Chambéry, which is another separate bike lane that goes all the way to Chambéry.

November 21, 2014

Belvédère du Mont Revard

After the hike to Croix du Nivolet, I made a stop at the nearby Belvédère du Mont Revard. It is a viewpoint that provides a great view on the Lac du Bourget below and the surrounding mountains. I then took my bike down the mountain back to Aix-les-Bains.

November 20, 2014

Hike to Croix du Nivolet

The Croix du Nivolet is a giant christian cross (22 meters high) at the summit of the Dent du Nivolet, in the Bauges Massif. Its size and location make it highly visible from Chambéry and the surrounding towns. It offers a great view on the valley below, as well as the Lac du Bourget. The path to get there is pretty easy (although sometimes muddy) and is therefore very popular. This itinerary was the inspiration for the path I followed.

November 14, 2014

Hike to Dent du Chat & Molard Noir

The Dent du Chat (Cat’s Tooth) is a peak on the south-west side of Lac du Bourget, near Chambéry (Savoie). It has a great view on the lake. I mostly followed those instructions but, after the Dent, I continued to Molard Noir and the Relais TV du Mont du Chat before looping back to Bourdeau.

September 9, 2012

Chambéry

Yesterday, I went on a bicycle ride around Chambéry, the former capital of the Duchy of Savoy.

chambery