Who Are the Savoyards?
The Savoyards are the inhabitants of the historic Duchy of Savoy, now divided between the French departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie in the Alps, numbering several hundred thousand, traditionally speaking Arpitan, a Romance language distinct from both French and Occitan. Historically, Savoy was an independent duchy and later kingdom spanning parts of France, Italy, and Switzerland, maintaining distinct identity until annexation by France in 1860. Traditional Savoyard culture centers on Alpine life including mountain agriculture, cheese-making, transhumance, and distinctive wooden chalet architecture. Savoyard cuisine developed hearty dishes suited to mountain climate including fondue, raclette, and tartiflette. The Arpitan language declined severely under French linguistic pressure, with most Savoyards now speaking only French, though language revival efforts exist. Savoyard regional identity remains strong, expressed through tourism industry, winter sports, preservation of architectural and culinary traditions, and cultural associations promoting Savoyard heritage.