En savoir plus sur les voyages depuis Chambery Airport
Tipping in France is appreciated but not required. A service charge is included by law in all restaurant bills, so any additional tip is a personal gesture of appreciation. Leaving a few euros for excellent service is common. For taxi drivers and private transfer drivers, rounding up the fare or adding a small tip of around 5-10% is a friendly and well-received practice.
France uses the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted throughout Chambery city and at most ski resort facilities in the Savoie region. It is useful to carry some cash for smaller local restaurants, mountain huts (refuges), market vendors, and tips. There are ATMs at the airport and throughout the city center of Chambery.
Chambery is a historic and lively city with a distinctly Savoyard character. The old town features medieval arcaded streets, the imposing Chateau des Ducs de Savoie, and the beloved Fontaine des Elephants. It was the former capital of the House of Savoy and has a fascinating Italian-French heritage. The city is known for its excellent food scene, local cheeses (Beaufort, Tomme de Savoie), Vermouth de Chambery, and the legendary chocolate truffle, which was invented here in 1895.
The Savoie region around Chambery is appealing in every season. Winter (December to April) is peak ski season, with the Alps at their most dramatic. Summer (June to September) is wonderful for hiking, cycling around Lac du Bourget (the largest natural lake in France), and exploring charming Alpine villages. Spring and fall offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and excellent conditions for exploring Chambery's historic city center.
French is the official language of France. In the Chambery area and at the airport, English is spoken at most hotels, ski resort facilities, and visitor services, particularly during the winter ski season when the region welcomes many international visitors from the UK and beyond.
The Savoie region offers outstanding summer activities. Hiking and mountain biking trails fan out across the Chartreuse and Bauges massifs. Lac du Bourget and Lac d'Annecy are beautiful destinations for swimming, kayaking, and cycling. Mont Revard, accessible from Chambery, offers panoramic Alpine views and excellent trails. The region is also popular with road cyclists. In summer, many ski resort cable cars operate for hikers and mountain bikers seeking high-altitude access.
Chambery Airport is one of the closest Alpine airports to several of France's most celebrated ski resorts. The Three Valleys ski area, including Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens, is roughly one and a half to two hours away. Les Arcs, La Plagne, Tignes, and Val d'Isere are also reachable. These short transfer times make Chambery a preferred arrival point for winter sports travelers looking to maximize their time on the slopes.
The Savoie region is a paradise for cheese and mountain food lovers. Must-tries include fondue Savoyarde, raclette, and tartiflette, all rich melted-cheese dishes perfect for cold Alpine days. Diots are local pork sausages cooked in white wine, often served with crozets, small buckwheat pasta unique to the Alps. For something sweet, seek out Gateau de Savoie, a light sponge cake with ancient origins, and of course, a Chambery chocolate truffle.
