🍂 Autumn in Aix-les-Bains & Chambéry

Alpine light, soft layers, and two cities with quiet elegance

After a few days in Beaujolais, I traveled east toward the Alps, beginning a small two-city escape through Aix-les-Bains and Chambéry—two neighboring towns that feel like sisters: one relaxed and lakeside, the other historic and quietly regal.

This part of France has a gentler rhythm than the big cities, and autumn makes everything softer: the light, the colors, and the everyday moments that become worth pausing for.

Arrival in Aix-les-Bains — warm light and soft neutrals

The first evening light fell across the station just as I arrived, catching on the structure’s green beams and giving the whole scene a warm, cinematic glow. I stepped off the train in a layered neutral look—camel trench, cream blouse, high-waisted trousers—an outfit chosen for both the early-evening chill and that effortless transition from travel to town.

Aix-les-Bains immediately feels slower than the cities around it. Once a Belle Époque spa destination, the town still carries hints of its grand past: ornate balconies, old bathhouses, tree-lined avenues that straighten your posture just by walking them.
It’s a gentle place to start a journey—quiet cafés, soft light, and the Alps just beyond the rooftops.

Camille arriving in Aix-les-Bains train station.

If you’re visiting:

Stay near the Thermes Chevalley or Parc de Verdun for easy walks and spa access.
Head to Rue de Genève for boutiques and evening apéritifs.
For dinner, locals recommended Le 59, and they were right—warm service and seasonal Savoyard dishes.

Morning at Lac du Bourget — wind, water, and soft movement

Standing by a serene lake with wind tousling her hair

The next morning I walked down to Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake. The wind was picking up, making the water ripple in long silver lines and tossing my hair in that slightly dramatic, Alpine way.

Layering was essential: soft blouse, tailored trousers, and a taupe coat that moved easily with the breeze.
Aix-les-Bains has a way of mixing lake calm with mountain energy—an ideal stopover for anyone traveling between wine country and the Alps.

What to see around the lake:

The Promenade du Lac, perfect for slow walks and golden-hour photos.
The small port at Le Grand Port, where boats bob quietly against wooden docks.
A short drive away, the Abbaye d’Hautecombe, a stunning lakeside monastery with royal history.

Café Quietude — sunlight, sweaters, and slow espresso

No stay in France is complete without a morning café ritual. I found a small spot near the old center, with brass fixtures and marble tables catching the soft autumn light.

A warm knit, quiet makeup, and minimal jewelry suited the moment—a pause before the day’s movement. Travel days often start in cafés, but this one felt especially restorative: steam rising from the cup, sunlight filtering through the window, the city waking up outside.

Sitting in a cozy cafe enjoying a warm cup of coffee amidst sunlight

if you’re in Aix-les-Bains:

Look for cafés around Place Carnot—locals gather, and the atmosphere is wonderfully authentic.
Pair a cappuccino with a tarte aux pralines, a Savoy specialty.

Chambéry — behind the scenes in a cinematic old town

Smiling warmly while standing on a lively Parisian street in winter attire

A short train ride later, I arrived in Chambéry, a city with Renaissance charm, narrow streets, and a color palette of soft ochres and old stone. The air felt cooler, and the tone shifted from lakeside calm to urban-Alpine energy.

I spent the afternoon filming behind-the-scenes moments while wandering through the historic district—an oversized scarf, textured coat, and relaxed styling becoming the perfect autumn uniform.

Chambéry feels lived-in and warm, even on chilly days—a city built for wandering, with hidden courtyards, sloping lanes, and the faint sound of church bells between the buildings.

What to see in Chambéry:

La Fontaine des Éléphants — the city’s symbol, charming and unexpected.
Château des Ducs de Savoie — its courtyard alone is worth the stop.
Rue Croix-d’Or — the heart of shopping, cafés, and people-watching.

Reflections — windows, textures, and quiet pauses

The old town has narrow streets with shop windows that catch light in the prettiest way. I shot a small reflection series while walking—coat collar lifted, scarf layered for warmth, and that soft golden sheen late-afternoon brings.

These little pauses—the ones between destinations—are often my favorite frames of a trip.

Fashion tip:
Chambéry’s wind can appear suddenly—bring a scarf, it saves every outfit and gives every photo instant movement.

Strolling the Streets — texture, tailoring & movement

Chambéry’s cobblestone lanes have centuries built into them—some dating back to the Middle Ages, when the old town began taking shape under the Dukes of Savoy. Many of the streets that feel so cinematic today were once busy trade routes, lined with guild workshops and vaulted cellars.

You still sense that history as you walk: narrow Renaissance façades, soft ochre walls with Italian touches, and old passages that slip quietly between courtyards. It’s the kind of place where every turn feels layered—part fashion, part history, part lived-in charm.

Where to shop & snack:

Les Halles — tiny stalls with local cheeses, pastries, and chocolate.
Chez Clémentine — for a tartine or quick lunch.
Boutiques along Rue de Boigne — for chic coats and French basics.

Last Night in Chambéry — soft lights and a glass of red

As the sun dipped behind the rooftops, the cafés lit up with that soft, amber glow. I found a small table outside and ordered a glass of Mondeuse, the local red wine—light, spicy, perfectly Savoyard.

The whole scene felt like a movie still: warm coat, street lamps, clinking glasses, and the comfortable hum of an Alpine town at night.

Sipping wine at a cozy Parisian cafe with warm ambient lighting

Where to dine:

Restaurant L’Actuel — cozy and seasonal.
Le Savoyard — for raclette, fondue, and classic Savoie comfort dishes.

Departure Morning — trains, scarves & cool air

Waiting on a train platform enjoying a crisp autumn morning

The next morning arrived crisp and bright. Wrapped in layers, I walked to the station for my train south, the platform glowing under a soft haze of early light.

Stations are one of my favorite places to photograph—movement, anticipation, and the quiet moments in between.

Travel note:
If you’re catching an early train, Café du Théâtre and the station’s own coffee counter both open early and make takeaway effortless—espresso in one hand, a still-warm croissant in the other.

On the Way to Avignon — a reflective journey

The train from Chambéry to Avignon takes a little over 2 hours, slipping quickly from Alpine foothills into the wide, open landscapes of southern France. After leaving Savoie, the route flattens into the Isère valley, passes through the outskirts of Valence—a gateway between the Alps and Provence—and then continues toward the Rhône.

I watched the scenery shift in soft layers: mountain silhouettes fading behind me, orchards and old farmhouses appearing beside the tracks, and the first hints of Provence—the light becoming warmer, the colors more sun-washed. It’s one of those journeys where the geography tells the story for you: from cool Alpine mornings to golden southern afternoons in just a couple of hours.

staring thoughtfully out of a window on a quiet reflective afternoon

Where the Alps Fade and Provence Begins

Aix-en-Dauphiné / Savoie foothills
Medieval trade routes once crossed these valleys; the landscape still holds old farmhouses and terraced fields.
Isère River Valley
This valley was a strategic corridor from Roman times all the way through Napoleonic campaigns.
Valence
Known as the gateway to the South, Valence was a stop on the ancient Via Agrippa, the Roman road linking Lyon to the Mediterranean.
Rhône Valley
As the train follows the river south, you begin passing wine regions again—Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and the northern edge of Côtes du Rhône.
Approach to Avignon
The light becomes unmistakably Mediterranean, with stone villages and cypress hints, until the train turns toward the modern Avignon TGV station.

📘 The Journey Continues

If you’re enjoying following along from Beaujolais to the Alpine towns, my Autumn Travel & Style Guide arrives this spring. It’s a curated companion of fashion notes, scenic spots, café recommendations, and effortless outfits crafted from these journeys.

Inside you’ll find:

Simple, chic outfit formulas for autumn trips
Small, scenic walks in Aix-les-Bains & Chambéry
Café & terrace picks with the best morning light
2-day and 3-day style-forward itineraries

👉 Join my mailing list to be the first to receive it — plus my bonus Autumn Capsule Packing List.

💬 Need suggestions sooner?

I’m always happy to help.
💬 Chat with Camille for quick tips on wineries, driving routes, or where to book tastings. I’ll tailor suggestions to your dates, pace, and style.

À bientôt,
Camille 🍇✨

🍂 Autumn in Aix-les-Bains & Chambéry