Chambery is located at the junction of two Alpine Valleys in the department of Savoie, in south-eastern France. It is a hidden gem and indeed a small, safe and quaint place to live your life.
It is within the reach of two regional parks and one can witness many signs and symbols preserved from the glory of the past. It is a known fact that Chambery was the capital of the Savoie since the 13th century.
While studying in Chambery you can visit crowd-free museums, sprightly cafes and go for serene strolls along awe-inspiring surroundings.
Chambery is home to famous Arts et Métiers ParisTech (ENSAM), an engineering graduate school and INSEEC Business School. So, you can go for various doctoral and masters programs offered by these prestigious institutes.
Accommodation
Students can opt for staying in University Halls or in a private hall of residence. The Private housing options are also available on rental basis. One can go for rooms on sharing basis or individual rooms.
The cost for these accommodation varies as the cost of staying in a university Hall of Residence is around 155-172€/month whereas the in the private hall of residence, the cost of a single room vary from 220€ and 380€. If you are staying in a single room the cast will be 380€ + daily utility bills (heating, water) + local taxes called “Taxe d’habitation”
Cost of Living
The cost of living largely depends upon student’s preference of stay, food, and clothing. On an average, the monthly budget of a student in Chambery will range between 620€/month to 800€/month depending upon the choice for accommodation.
On an average, a student is likely to spend ≈ 126€/month on the basis of 2 meals 5 days a week if staying on the university campus and eating food in a university restaurant. Other utilities like the internet can cost you from 19€ à 30€, Public transport = 6€ for 10 tickets if you are under 26.You are required to use one ticket per trip irrespective of the distance.
For clothing, you will need around 150€/year for the winter clothes. You will be able to find many inexpensive stores in Chambery.
Around 15€/month will be required for Hygiene and cleaning materials.
Leisure Activities expense will depend upon the choice of places but you can consider around 20-30€.
Travel and Transport
The city of Chambery is well-connected via road, rail and air. Chambery Airport serves many flights and Chambéry-Challes-les-Eaux station connects city via fast and non-stop TGV services to Paris and Italy. The local bus system is also well-connected.
Climate
In the hottest month of July, temperature soars up to 22°C and in the coldest month of December it dips to 3°C. October is the wettest month of the year and receives 110mm of rain on an average.
Part-Time Work Opportunities
Students can opt to go for part-time jobs provided their programs and the university they are going to join, permits them. They can work for the maximum 964 hours in a year. Students can choose to take assistantship or any other vacancy available at the institute campus or can go for part-time jobs at cafes or restaurants.
Culture
Chambery is a Secular and multicultural town where all religions and faith are equally respected. There are a number of cultural sites where one can visit over the weekends and learn about the historical and cultural importance of the place.
Entertainment
Being a small and quaint place, Chambery has its own advantages. All the major supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and bars are just at a walking distance of 10-15 minutes. Weekends are quite busy as you will have plenty of options to explore like an ice skating rink, stables, and indoor swimming pools. You can witness the awe-inspiring views of the mountains from the hill park near the pools. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy awesome food and drinks.
