16 In Outdoor Experiences/ Sites

Cité Medievale de Conflans In Albertville

I made a mistake the first time I visited Albertville, France. Walked around the quaint town and saw the giant Tour de France t-shirt but discovered afterwards that I had missed one of the best parts of the area. Fortunately, I was going through the town on my way to Chamonix, so I made a stop and so glad I did. This is an experience I would have regretted missing: seeing the Cité Medievale de Conflans.

What Is The Cité Medievale de Conflans and Why Visit?Cite Medievale de Conflans

Cite Medievale de Conflans

Cite Medievale de Conflans

  • It’s a medieval village in Albertville, across the river and high on a hill
  • It’s small, with only about 6 cobblestone streets
  • There are some restaurants, artisan shops, and a baroque church, but what is notable are the views, particularly from the courtyard. When I was there (early in the morning), most places were closed
  • Why visit? The views and seeing all the storefront signs—these made the village so attractive

Getting To The Village

Entrance to Cite Medievale de Conflans

Entrance to Cite Medievale de Conflans

Follow the road from the river up the hill. There is a car park where you can begin your journey, a steep walk up a couple of flights of stairs until you get into the actual medieval village. Only locals can park in the village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can get some great views from the Jardin Public de la Tour Sarrazine.

Cite Medievale de Conflans

Cite Medievale de Conflans

Cite Medievale de Conflans

Jardin Public de la Tour Sarrazine

Jardin Public de la Tour Sarrazine Cite Medievale de Conflans

View from Jardin Public de la Tour Sarrazine

So, if you’re on your way to Chamonix or Annecy, make a short stop near Albertville to visit the the Cité Medievale de Conflans.

Check out my other posts that talk about the French Alps:

French Alps And A Short Visit To Switzerland

What Other Places In France Should You See?

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Jackie Smith
    August 22, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Loved the photos – and love medieval villages!

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 22, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks! Me too…I can’t get enough of them!

  • Reply
    Karen Warren
    August 22, 2016 at 10:14 am

    I love medieval cities! I hadn’t heard of the Cité Medievale de Conflans but I’ll have to add it to the list of places to look out for.

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 22, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      If it hadn’t been someone telling me about it, I would have totally missed it. Am glad I went back, even though it was deserted at 9 am in the morning.

  • Reply
    noel
    August 22, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    I prefer visiting tourist areas early morning or later afternoon when most visitors have taken the last bus and you get all the amazing views and street scenes to yourself – a good thing especially for photographers

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 22, 2016 at 5:23 pm

      So true. You get great photos, but unfortunately, sometimes the shops or sites haven’t opened yet or are closed. But sometimes it’s worth it.

  • Reply
    Carole Terwilliger Meyers
    August 22, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    Albertville looks sort of familiar to me. I think I might have stopped there many years ago on my way to Chamonix. What a pleasure to see it again!

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 23, 2016 at 7:51 am

      Yes, it’s a pretty place!

  • Reply
    Rachel Heller
    August 23, 2016 at 6:15 am

    I love anything medieval, and those signs are an unusual touch. Conflans definitely seems worth a stop!

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 23, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Yes it is worth a stop and doesn’t even have to be that long but I loved the signs too.

  • Reply
    Suzanne Fluhr
    August 23, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Was a winter Olympics held in Albertville or am I misrembering? Medieval European villages were often built at altitude for defensive purposes (so they could at least see who was coming); hence, the often splendid views.

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 23, 2016 at 8:33 pm

      You are correct! 1992 was the year. As for medieval villages, maybe that’s why I like them so much…for the views!

  • Reply
    alison abbott
    August 28, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    I love medieval villages and Albertville looks like one not to miss when visiting the area. Wandering the carless streets and taking in all that history can transport you back to another time so quickly. And the views….the icing on the cake!

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 29, 2016 at 10:25 am

      So true. I didn’t realize until I went thru the village that it had a great view.

  • Reply
    Irene S. Levine
    August 28, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I love colorful signage! These were meant to be photographed~
    Thanks for sharing an introduction to Albertville!

    • Reply
      Jan
      August 29, 2016 at 10:21 am

      So true. I think these signs are so great looking one has to photograph them.

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