Читать книгу Mountain Adventures in the Maurienne. Summer routes for a multi-activity holiday in the French Alps онлайн

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Crossing the Col du Galibier to explore the walled town of Briançon, the highest town in Europe, is another option. The old town and its maze of streets will be busy on a wet day but there are a number of forts that provide guided tours and a respite from wet weather. Further down the valley is L'Argentière-la-Bessée. This small town has successfully transformed from an industrial town into what may be described as an outdoor capital. It has a white water canoeing course and hosts numerous climbing competitions, as well as being home to the largest ice axe in the world, which stands outside the mairie (town hall). Many of the roads and streets are named after famous mountaineers, so a walk around the town may well turn into a who's who of classic Alpine mountaineering. Nor should you miss the chance to visit the old capital of Savoy, Chambéry, with its elephant statue in the middle of town (a celebration of General de Boigne's exploits in India rather than an indication of Hannibal's passing through the region). The large market on Saturdays, the old town architecture and Dukes' Palace encourage an amble through the maze of backstreets and alleyways. The title of capital of Savoy is also claimed by Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, which is home to the Opinel knife factory, a French classic. The factory houses a small shop offering a wide range of knives and household tools, all of the highest quality.