Albertville
In the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, lies Albertville. Formerly known as Conflans, this French town was renamed Albertville by King Charles-Albert of Sardinia in 1836.
Its geographical location at the heart of the Alps forms a crossroads between the rivers Isère and Arly, and the valleys of Tarentaise, Beaufortain, Val d’Arly, and Combe de Savoie. Albertville is often called the “Crossroads of the Four Valleys.”
Famed for its mountain assets, Albertville is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics! If you’d like to learn more about this event that brought new prestige to the town, visit La Maison des Jeux Olympiques d’Hiver.
Albertville is also a gateway to winter sports and hiking in forests, plains, or high altitudes.
It’s a Savoyard town with medieval charm, rich in art and history. In the town center, stroll among late 19th-century buildings with neo-classical architecture such as the Town Hall, the Courthouse on Place de l’Europe, or Saint John the Baptist Church on Rue Gambetta. Some of the most picturesque spots are along the banks of the Arly River, as well as in the most authentic district: the Medieval City of Conflans.
Medieval City of Conflans
Are you a history enthusiast? Then you must explore the old village of Conflans! Now one of the oldest districts of Albertville, this former medieval city is home to historic monuments: admire houses built in the 17th, 18th, and even the 14th centuries!
Perched on the hills above Albertville, the medieval town overlooks the valley and offers a lovely panoramic view. Wander its narrow streets, discover old shops with wrought-iron façades, visit the Church of Saint-Grat with its 18th/19th-century neo-classical baroque style, its garden, and the Sarrazine Tower.
On the main square of the medieval district, you’ll find a fountain and a 14th-century red-brick residence: the Maison Rouge or Palais Pisan. Influenced by nearby Italy, it was built in 1397 in a medieval Gothic style and has been a listed historic monument since 1913, representing Italian architectural aesthetics of the time.
During your visit to Conflans, you can also discover a castle that once protected the town. Formerly called the “Château de Costaroche” (meaning “against the rock”), it has been known since 1971 as the “Château de Manuel de Locatel,” named after the family who built it between 1579 and 1583 and inhabited it until 1916.
Finally, for hiking lovers, there’s the Hauts de Conflans Trail in Albertville—a moderately challenging loop above the medieval quarter and Conflans, offering stunning views over the Combe de Savoie.
Hotel Le Télémark is located 55 km from Albertville and Conflans.
