SAVOIE (73)
County of Rhône-Alpes
6036 Km2
About 323 000 inhabitants
Chief town : Chambéry
Sub prefectures : Albertville and Saint Jean de Maurienne
The Savoie County got its name from a state founded by European sovereign families, that existed from 1000 to 1860, which spanned the Franco-Italian Alps, before it was attached to the French realm.
Between the Rhône Valley and the Italian border, mountain ranges, 70 ski resorts make the largest skiing area in the world. It is situated between 500-2000 meters altitude, which allowed Savoie to organize the 16th Winter Olympic Games in 1992.
In addition to the ski destinations, are available a large variety of tourist sites : the Bourget Lake (the biggest natural lake in France), the heritage of the villages, towns and spa-towns. The fast growing services sector generates employments and business tourism.