French regions - Rhone Alps

From the Rhone Alpes, the Rhone River flows south toward the Mediterranean. Its broad valley embraces thriving cities, Roman ruins, medieval castles, lavender fields, fabled vineyards and the snowy peaks of the French Alps.

In this region, rivers feed into the Rhone, and all roads lead to the city that straddles it, Lyon. With an immense range of cutural heritage, visit the Cities of Art, among them Lyons, the capital of the region, and St Etienne, Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy and Valence, all having fascinating old quarters, excellent restaurants and a vibrant cultural life.

A region flagged by its mountain peaks where winter sports abound, the Rhône Alpes region has the largest skiing area in the world and famous resorts such as Chamonix and Courchevel, set above discreet little villages nestling in the valleys. In summer, the slopes become vast green spaces, perfect for hikers and cyclists, and the gorges roar with torrents, lending themselves to white water sports.

From horse riding to canoeing and golf, there are activities for all ages. The region is also renowned for its nature reserves like the Vanoise or Vercors which host a rich flora and fauna. The lakes Leman, Bourget and Annecy are three great reasons to visit.

Regional specialities include Montélimar nougat, chestnuts from the Ardèche, fondue savoyarde, plus fine wines such as Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône.

Ain, Ardeche, Drome, Isere, Loire, Rhone, Savoie and Haute Savoie make up the departments in the Rhone Alpes.

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