Using reclaimed marshland on the southern edge of Lake Bourget the site was developed for the French air force and from 1951 was named after Lieutenant-colonel SARRE, an officer from the base who had lost his life in an accident. In 1964 it was renamed Base Aérienne 725 and the quality of life it offered quickly made it a much sought-after posting for military personnel. Over time, its flying school became a world reference both for helicopter pilot training and for the development of new aeronautical technologies. Moreover, due to the technical difficulty of its airport the base was selected as a model for Flight Simulator®.

1983

The French government announced the closure of Airbase 725 as part of air force personnel cutbacks.

Savoie Technolac opened a business incubation unit designed to house new high-tech businesses.

With its focus on higher education and high technology activities the new science park drew its inspiration from the Californian model and accordingly its development plan ensured that the design and architecture of the site complemented the surrounding alpine environment.

Some 10,000 trees of diverse species were planted as part of an ambitious architectural and landscaping programme.

By 1991 Savoie Technolac had become home to some 20 companies and the University of Savoie had transferred its science and engineering faculty onto the park into buildings designed by leading architects in distinctive styles evoking the engineering disciplines.

On site services for the expanding business community were progressively put in place. The French post office opened a unit close to the business incubator and a business cantine was opened.

1995

The Chambéry Graduate School of Management and ENSAM (one of France’s leading higher education institutions specialized in industrial engineering and design) moved onto the park. From this point on more than 3,500 science, engineering and management students shared the park with around 100 innovative companies.

Savoie Technolac celebrated its 10th anniversary by inviting some 50,000 visitors from all over Europe.

The French President Jacques Chirac and Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission of the European Union, held a Franco-Italian summit meeting on Savoie Technolac.

2000

The aeronautics and pilot training technologies developed at the former airbase over the years left an indelible legacy and by the turn of the millenium, ‘innovation’ and ‘international’ had once again become the watchwords of the park. 15 years after its creation Technolac was now considered a flagship for technology driven economic growth in the south-east of France and could boast some 150 high-tech companies and more than 6000 people working in what had become a truly Californian style campus setting.

2001

Savoie Technolac obtained ISO 14001 certification (international environmental quality standard) and achieved national recognition for the environmental quality of its services and facilities.

2003

The park’s business incubation unit moved to new premises designed by the locally based international architect Jean-Loup Patriarche and was located literally on the edge of Lake Bourget, in original stilt houses called House Boats. The unit was designed to accommodate up to 25 new companies in 1100 m² of workspace.

2006

Local stakeholders set up the new French Institute for Solar Energy (INES) on the park. The INES was officially opened by the French Higher Education and Research Minister, François Goulard on the 3rd July as a collaborative centre of excellence in solar energy technologies bringing together the leading institutions in the field in France, including : the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), France’s National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS), the Research and Evaluation Centre for the Building Sector (CSTB), the University of Savoie and local government, including the Regional Council of Rhône-Alpes and the General Council of Savoie.

Building on the creation of the INES Savoie Technolac set out its ambitious goal of making Savoie a European leader and world reference in the solar thermal and photovoltaic industries.

The construction of a new building to accommodate the expansion of the National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) from around 80 to more than 250 personnel by 2008 began in March.

In August, Savoie Technolac celebrated its 20th anniversary. The occasion was an opportunity for a public of 50,000 to celebrate not only the Park’s past successes but also to look positively, beyond aeronautics, to its future in new areas such as renewable and eco-technologies. As a tribute to this historic transition some of the top air display teams in France including the ‘Patrouille de France’, the ‘Patrouille de Voltige de l’Armée de l’Air’ and the top civilian passenger Jet team, the Breitling Jet Team, provided nostalgia and entertainment with flypasts. Historic planes such as the Super Constellation and superb performances from the acrobatic display team ‘Guinot’ and the ‘Tango Bleu’ helicopter team also contributed to an unforgettable anniversary event.

By 2007 Savoie Technolac had become home to more than 180 companies, with 10-15 new arrivals each year, as well as to almost 6,000 students and researchers. A large scale expansion programme to add an extra 70 hectares over a 5 year period was launched, literally doubling the size of the site. Building for new business facilities was begun, including a new ‘Life Centre’, designed to incorporate a business conscierge service, a conference centre, restaurants, hotel facilities, a nursery school and a fitness centre.