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About the region
Savoie is a French department located in the Rhone-Alpes region in the French Alps. It is one of the two departments of the old Duchy of Savoy that was annexed by France on March 24th 1860, the other being Haute-Savoie.
Region areas
Tourism, which is quite important to Savoie, began to develop towards the end of the 19th century, mostly summer oriented. The increase in the popularity of skiing in the 20th century made Savoie home to the largest number of ski hills in France, including many famous ones.
Attractions
Savoie presents many attractions related to the house of Savoy. Two such distinct sites are the Abbaye Hautecombe and the Chateau Chambery which are the oldest Savoyard buildings.
Transportation
The Rhone-Alpes, being a major European transit hub, links northern France and Europe to the Mediterranean. The department of Savoie benefits by the status of the region and thus is very close to some big international airports, which facilitate arrivals and departures.
Events
Savoie is a major skiing region in France, but it is also host to many wonderful events, some not even related to skiing. Such events are the Savoy Fair and of course the Festival on Lake Bourget dedicated to classical romantic composers.
Restaurants & Nightlife
The cuisine of Savoie is mainly specialized in cheese. The region is a true mecca for such dishes like fondue, tartiflette and raclette. Beside the food, the wines are also something to look forward to, especially since Savoie is famous for bottling some of the best wine in France.
History & Civilisation
Savoie was long part of the states of Savoy, though it was occupied many times by France starting in the 16th century. It was integrated into the Mont-Blanc department from 1792 to 1815, later being annexed by France in 1860. The former Duchy of Savoy became the two departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
Savoyard cheese – the best in the world
The department of Savoie is one of the best known cheese producing regions in France, if not the world. Some of these brands of cheese include Savoie Gruyère, Reblochon, Beaufort and Tomme de Savoie, which are the most famous in the region.