Historic cellar visit in Chambéry

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1

   Drink in the City That Once Held the Shroud of Turin

   history Free

   Before your wine tasting, walk to the Château des Ducs de Savoie. The castle chapel housed the Shroud of Turin from 1502 to 1578 - 76 years. The Shroud only moved to Turin because the Archbishop of Milan was too sick to travel to Chambéry, so they brought the relic to him. It never came back. Chambéry was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from 1416 until the dukes abandoned it for Turin in 1563. The wine you're about to taste was once served to people who came to see the most famous relic in Christianity.

   Log Memory
2. 2

   Taste 23 AOC Wines in One Flight

   wine Price: moderate

   Head to Maison des Vins de Savoie - the official showcase for the region. They offer flights covering all 23 AOC wines from across Savoie. Start with the whites: Jacquère (crisp, mineral), Altesse/Roussette (honeyed, complex), and the rare Gringet. Then the reds: Mondeuse (Syrah's parent) and the nearly-extinct Persan. Ask the staff to explain the difference between 'Vin de Savoie' and specific cru designations like Apremont or Chignin. Budget €15-30 for a comprehensive tasting.

   Log Memory
3. 3

   Find the Elephants That Explain Everything

   Optional

   history Free

   Walk to the Fontaine des Éléphants in the old town - four elephant heads without bodies, known locally as 'Les Quatre Sans Culs' (the four without backsides). They honor Général de Boigne, a local who made his fortune in India and gave much of it back to Chambéry. The fountain reveals the city's identity: always looking outward, connected to places beyond the mountains. Savoy spent centuries caught between France and Italy. The wines reflect this - neither fully French nor Italian, something entirely their own.

   Log Memory
4. 4

   Explore the Medieval Old Town After Your Tasting

   adventure Free

   After your tasting, walk the medieval old town. The narrow streets and covered passages called 'allées' were built for a city that rained constantly. Look for the Rue Basse du Château - the oldest street, dating to the 12th century. End at a café on Place Saint-Léger and order a digestif of Génépi (alpine herbal liqueur). The cathedral nearby was the Chapel Royal until 1779. You're drinking in a city that shaped European history and then got overlooked.

   Log Memory

Insider Tips

• Start here if new to Savoie - it's an excellent overview before visiting individual domaines

• Ask about "Vin de Savoie" vs. specific cru designations (Apremont, Abymes, Chignin)

• The medieval old town is worth exploring after your tasting