Savoie

Savoie department is located in southeastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, at the heart of the French Alps, and its capital is Chambéry. The department is one of the world's most important ski destinations, home to famous resorts such as Val Thorens and Les Trois Vallées. Its economy depends heavily on winter and summer tourism, light industry, and mountain agriculture (cheese). Stunning mountain scenery, alpine lakes, and proximity to Italy and Switzerland are among the department's main features, though the cost of living in the touristy mountain areas is high.

Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Albertville

• Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) – campus de Jacob-Bellecombette - The region's main university, with diverse programs (law, economics, science, sports, languages, and more).
• IUT de Chambéry - An IUT (university institute of technology) with technical and management programs.

Towns in Savoie are generally safe and family-friendly. Chambéry is a calm student city with some busier neighborhoods, but overall safety is good. Ski resort towns get very crowded in the winter season, but public spaces are well managed.

Chambéry is an important station on the Lyon-Turin and Geneva axis, served by TER and occasionally TGV trains. Urban and regional bus networks connect towns to the lakes and ski resorts. For getting to villages and mountains, having a car is more convenient.