Famed for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics, Albertville is an attractive town in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. It was established in 1836 by King Charles Albert of Sardinia with the merging of medieval Conflans and the town of L’Hôpital. Today, Albertville is designated as a “Town of Art and History”.
Things to do in Albertville
Stroll through the centre of Albertville to admire its Neoclassical-style town hall and the Place de l’Europe, which is framed by alfresco cafes and boutiques. Views of the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed along Rue Gambetta, an attractive paved street that leads to the Eglise de Saint Jean Baptiste. Designed by Eugène Denarié in the 1860s, this Neo-Gothic church is renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows.
Want to relive the 1992 Winter Olympics? Visit the Halle Olympique, an indoor arena that hosted figure skating and speed skating events during the games. Today, it hosts a small exhibition about the events that took place here, as well as a restaurant, a 17-metre-high climbing wall and an international standard ice-skating rink.
Nestled in the hills of Albertville is the medieval village of Conflans, which is ringed by 14th-century walls. Wander along its narrow streets and admire the Baroque-style Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption before enjoying the magnificent views of the Combe de Savoie Valley. Occupying a centuries-old brick home is the Musee d'Art et d'Histoire de Conflans, which details the cultural, sporting and artistic heritage of the region.
Getting around Albertville
Albertville is just under two hours’ drive from Lyon and 1.5 hours from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Trains connect to the Albertville railway station and buses travel throughout the town.