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Rhône-Alpes, France

Make the most of your time in Rhône-Alpes, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

The large French province of Rhone-Alpes takes its name from its two significant geographical factors; it is home to the stunning and awesome Alps and the River Rhone which snakes its way through the region. It is the former of these two aspects which is most gripping though – the Alpine Mountains are known the world over for their skiing opportunities and their beauty, attracting visitors from Europe and beyond.

Rhone-Alpes is one of the largest divisions in France; testimony to this fact given by the presence of three major cities within, including the country’s third largest city Lyon. It is also home to Grenoble and St Etienne, and, all told, the region’s population stands at six million, ensuring its position as the second largest division by population.

This part of France is seen as a major European transport hub, both throughout history and indeed today, linking the north of the continent to the south. Many holiday-makers drive through this area of the country as they head for Italy or the French Riviera. There are also three major airports in the main cities, while French trains pass through the region on a regular basis. Rhone-Alpes borders both Switzerland and Italy to its east and it is with they who it shares its famous mountains. In terms of French regions, Rhone-Alpes shares borders with Franche-Comte, Burgundy, Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence.

The region is home to two of France’s national parks; it contains all of the striking Parc National de la Vanoise with its impressive peaks and mountains, while it shares the Parc National des Ecrins with Provence to the south. The area is also known for its numerous mountain spas, such as those at Megeve, Chamonix and Annecy. As already mentioned the Rhone works its way through this section of the country towards the Mediterranean in the south, but there are also several lakes too; part of Lake Geneva falls in Rhone-Alpes, while there is also Lake Bourget and the Lac d’Annecy, the former of which is good for water sports.

Rhone-Alpes contains the world’s largest ski area and has famously hosted the Winter Olympics on a record three occasions. They were held at Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968 and Alertville in 1992. Alternative sporting activities are aided by the presence of no fewer than 60 golf courses, while the variety of landscapes and the abundance of water ensure a plethora of other sports and activities are a distinct possibility. It is also worth noting that Europe’s deepest gorge is to be found in the Ardèche which happens to fall in Rhone-Alpes.  

The south-eastern region fits in well with the country’s reputation for good food and is, in fact, something of a French gastronomy centre. A number of famous wines are sourced and produced in the region, while local cuisine includes Bresse poultry, Lyon sausage, rosette salami, tripe, quenelles and a variety of cheese dishes. The region as a whole is good for art and culture; Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site, while there are many famous restaurants as well as a selection of museums and monuments placed through the area. Festivals such as Jazz a Vienne, Fete des Lumieres and the Biennials of Contemporary art and dance also attract visitors during the year.
 

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