This French Alpine town hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics and remains a gateway to major ski resorts. Its medieval Conflans district has stone houses from the 14th century.
Albertville, a town in the French Alps, hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics and maintains its Olympic ice rink for public skating. In the medieval quarter of Conflans, you can walk past the red-brick Chateau-Rouge and climb the Sarrasson tower for valley views. The weekly Thursday market fills Rue Gambetta with local vendors, while the surrounding mountains rise 2,000 meters above the town, creating opportunities for hiking and skiing.
Getting Around Albertville's Town Center
The neo-classical town hall sits at the heart of Albertville, next to the modern Place de l'Europe. As you walk down Rue Gambetta, you'll pass cafes in 19th-century buildings and reach the neo-gothic Church of Saint John the Baptist. Every Thursday morning, local vendors set up their market stalls along the cobblestone street, selling regional cheeses, meats, and produce.
Exploring Medieval Conflans
Two kilometers uphill from central Albertville lies the medieval quarter of Conflans. The red-brick Chateau-Rouge and Maison Rouge date from the 14th century, standing among stone houses built in the 1600s and 1700s. You can climb the Sarrasson tower, part of the original castle, for views across the valley. Local artists display their work in small galleries along the narrow streets, and restaurants in the main square fill with workers during lunch hours.
Olympic Legacy and Sports
The 1992 Winter Olympics left a lasting mark on Albertville. You can skate at La Halle de Glace Olympique, an ice rink designed by architect Jacques Kalisz. Visit the Olympic House museum in the former Palais de Justice to see exhibits from the 1992 Games, including uniforms, medals, and photos from the competition that brought 1,800 athletes from 64 countries. The museum highlights the historical significance of these Games as the last time former Soviet republics competed as one team.
Mountain Activities
Several ski areas surround Albertville: Meribel and Courchevel to the south, and Beaufort to the east. In summer, hiking trails lead to viewpoints of Belle Étoile (2,015m) and Dent de Cons (2,062m) peaks. Stop by the Art and History Museum in Conflans to pick up trail maps and audio guides for self-guided tours of the area.
Transportation Hub
Albertville sits 44 kilometers southeast of Annecy and 82 kilometers northeast of Grenoble. Buses run regularly to nearby ski resorts throughout winter, and trains connect to Paris, Lyon, and other French cities. The tourist office near Place de l'Europe has up-to-date schedules for all local transportation.
