The absolute romanticism of the small valley of «Charmettes»

One can regard Rousseau as one of the precursors of romanticism. This is not what Pierre Lasserre thought, he has written in his work Le Romantisme Français en 1907 "Rousseau is not a precursor of romanticism. He is complete romanticism...". The scene is set!.......

The Maison des Charmettes, housing now the Musée des Charmettes, is what can be called a literary house. The writer's souvenirs are kept there and his state of mind is still present there. The shady path, the "à la française" garden with its medicinal plants, vegetables, fruits and condiments, are exactly as it was in the 18th century. Lamartine himself, lover of close by Lake Bourget, was appreciable of the place; he spoke of it as "the nest of a first love".

Entrance to the museum is free and you can take advantage of it to discover the "Savages" exhibition through the theme seen by Rousseau and the America discoverers.

A few hundred meters from there you can take advantage of the hospitality of two artists Eric and Chantal Soulard. He is a musician, she is the artist responsible for the paintings which decorate the bedrooms baptised Emile, Héloïse or Charmettes in homage to their famous neighbour. From the «Ferme du Petit Bonheur », you can access the Chartreuse and the Granier by a direct path and you reach Chambéry old town by a very charming staircase. Eric and Chantal do not do meals which leads their visitors to discover the small restaurants that nestle here and there down town. On the other hand, in the morning, you will have a pantagruelic breakfast with home-made jams, some tomme des Bauges (cheese), and a beautiful home-made round loaf.

A wonderful opportunity to offer yourself a week-end which is cultural, sentimental and refreshing.