Introduction
Rhône-Alpes is France's second largest and second wealthiest (in GDP per capita) region after the Île-de-France. Almost exactly the size of Denmark and slightly more populous (6.2 million against 5.5 million inhabitants), Rhône-Alpes is the 6th largest economy of any European region.
Its capital, Lyon, is only second to Paris in size and is often acclaimed as the gastronomic capital of France (at least outside Paris), which also makes it one of the best places to eat in the world. In Roman times, Lyon (Lugdunum) was the capital of Gallia Lugdunensis, a province stretching from Brittany to the Alps.
Rhône-Alpes is composed of the former Duchy of Savoy (annexed to France in 1860), of the historical province of Lyonnais, of the southern part of Burgundy and the northern half of Dauphiné. The sparsely populated, laid-back Alpine region contrasts sharply with the hustle-bustle of the Rhône Valley.
The traditional Franco-Provençal and Vivaro-Alpine languages have virtually disappeared since King Francis I tried to impose Parisian French as the only official language of the kingdom. Most of the 50,000 Franco-Provençal speakers left in the region today are in Savoy (Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments), which did not become French until the late 19th century.
Famous people from Rhône-Alpes include (chronologically): the writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the celebrity chef Paul Bocuse, the ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet, and the composer Jean Michel Jarre.
Cuisine
Culinary specialities from the Rhône Valley include quenelles (a mixture of creamed fish, chicken, or meat), grattons (pork grilled in fat), caillette au épinard (spinach quail), gras double (tripe cooked with onions), barboton (lamb stew with potatoes and carrots), salade lyonnaise (lettuce with bacon, croutons and a poached egg), soupe à l'oignon, poulet au vinaigre, civet de porc, tête de veau sauce verte,, and poulet de Bresse aux morilles (Bresse chicken with morels).
Culinary specialities from the Alps include gratin dauphinois, Savoy cheese fondue, ramequin (a sort of cheese fondue), raclette, tartiflette (potatoes cooked in reblochon cheese, lardons and onions), polenta, ufs à la Monteynard (rice mixed in soft-boiled eggs and cheese), and matafan (a salty crêpe with potatoes).
The better known cheeses of the region are Abondance, Beaufort, Bleu de Bresse, Bleu de Gex, Bleu de Termignon, Bleu du Vercors, Cervelle de canut, Fourme de Montbrison, Picodon de Crest, Reblochon, Saint-Marcellin, Sarasson, Vacherin, and various kinds of Tomme.
Desserts include bugnes lyonnaises (angel wings), coussins de Lyon (sweets made of chocolate and marzipan), marrons glacés, matefins (thick apple pancake), nougat, poire à la beaujolaise, pommes caramélisées, tarte à la Cuerde, tarte aux citrons meringuées, tarte aux pralines, tarte bressane, tarte au sucre, and tarte flambée.
Rhône-Alpes has four wine-growing regions: the Beaujolais in the north, the Côteaux du Lyonnais around Lyon, the Côtes du Rhône in the south, and Savoy in the east. The town of Voiron, in Isère, makes the green and yellow chartreuse liqueur. The Evian and Badoit mineral waters come respectively from the Haute-Savoie and Loire departments.
Attractions
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Vercors Regional Nature Park |
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 The Vercors Regional Natural Park offers visitors a mesmerising blend of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and thrilling outdoor activities. This pristine landscape features dramatic limestone cliffs, deep gorges, lush forests, and meadows teeming with wildlife, including chamois, mouflon, deer, and Alpine ibex. The park boasts exceptional biodiversity with 85 protected plant species and 75 orchid species. Beyond its natural splendour, the Vercors holds significant historical importance as a bastion of the French Resistance during World War II, with numerous remembrance sites such as the Memorial of the Resistance and the Museum of the Resistance in Vassieux-en-Vercors. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy hiking along 4,000 km of marked trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving in thousands of underground cavities, and skiing at resorts like Villard-de-Lans in winter, whilst nature lovers can explore remarkable attractions including the Grotte de Choranche cave system and Mont Aiguille, the emblem of the region. |
Département de la Loire
Firminy
Saint-Étienne
Département de l'Ardèche
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Monts d'Ardèche Regional Park |
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 The Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park offers a remarkable blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage. Created in 2001 at the initiative of chestnut farmers, this UNESCO Geopark boasts over 50 extinct volcanoes, 4,000 kilometres of hiking trails, and 3,000 kilometres of rivers. Visitors can explore Mont Mézenc (the park's highest point at 1,753 metres), witness the source of the Loire River at Mont Gerbier de Jonc, and discover rich biodiversity including 2,800 plant species and diverse wildlife such as golden eagles and otters. Beyond natural attractions, the park preserves medieval castles, Romanesque churches, and traditional villages that reflect its thousand-year history. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities ranging from winter sports at Croix de Bauzon to summer kayaking on the Eyrieux or Chassezac rivers, while those seeking relaxation can visit one of three renowned thermal stations. The region's distinctive chestnut cultivation heritage is celebrated through dedicated museums and visitor centres. |
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Saint-Montan |
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 A charming medieval stone village nestled in the Ardèche mountains between Montélimar and Orange... Read more |
Other attractions
Aubenas
Aven d'Orgnac Caves
Balazuc
Boulogne Castle (ruins)
Joyeuse
Labeaume
Largentière
Lalouvesc
La Voulte-sur-Rhône
Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park
Mount Gerbier de Jonc
Ray-Pic Falls
Païolive Wood
Peaugres Safari
Privas
Tournon-sur-Rhône
Vals-les-Bains
Viviers
Vogüé
Département de la Drôme
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Ideal Palace in Hauterives |
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 Postman Cheval's Ideal Palace in Hauterives is one of France's queerest attractions. Regarded as an extraordinary example of naïve art architecture, the palace was built between 1879 and 1912 by a French postman... Read more |
Grignan Castle
Montélimar
Suze-la-Rousse Castle
Valence
Département du Rhône
Département de l'Ain
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Pérouges |
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 Pérouges is a splendid fortified town with cobblestone streets and harmonious 15th and 16th-century stone houses... Read more |
Other attractions
Bourg-en-Bresse
Cerveyrieu Waterfall in Artemare
Département de la Haute-Savoie
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Annecy |
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 Annecy is an enchanting medieval town of canals, bridges and arched alleyways on a backdrop of Alpine peaks. Located 40 km south of the Swiss border, Annecy was the capital of the County... Read more |
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Chambéry |
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Chambéry was the capital of Savoy, then of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia. |
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Mont Blanc |
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At 4,810 m (15,782 ft) the Mont Blanc is Europe's highest mountain. Lying at the Franco-Italian border, the French side is accessible from Chamonix, the French capital of Alpinism and.. Read more |
Other attractions
Courchevel
Évian-les-Bains
Megève
Thonon-les-Bains
Val-d'Isère
Département de la Savoie
| Vanoise National Park |
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Vanoise National Park, established in 1963 as France's first national park, offers visitors a remarkable alpine experience. The park boasts breathtaking landscapes featuring over 100 peaks exceeding 3,000 metres, glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and diverse flora and fauna. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe iconic species such as ibex, chamois, marmots, and golden eagles in their natural habitat. With 600 kilometres of well-marked trails, the park caters to hikers of all abilities, from leisurely walks to challenging treks. The area's rich cultural heritage is evident in Neolithic rock carvings and medieval structures scattered throughout the park. Additionally, the park's peripheral zone includes traditional villages and renowned ski resorts, allowing visitors to experience both pristine nature and local mountain culture. The Vanoise National Park's commitment to conservation, coupled with its stunning natural beauty and recreational opportunities, makes it a compelling destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. |
Other attractions
Aix-les-Bains
Département de l'Isère
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Vizille Castle |
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The Château de Vizille is one of the most sumptuous castles in the French Alps. It was built in the 17th century by the Duke of Lesdiguières, governor of the Province of Dauphinée and close friend of King Henry IV. Bequeathed to the French state in 1924, the castle was used as a presidential retreat until 1960. It now hosts the Museum of the French Revolution of Vizille. |
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Pont-en-Royans |
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Pont-en-Royans is a lovely, quaint village of colourful houses suspended over a rocky protuberance along the river. It located near the Vercors regional park, half-way between Grenoble and Valence... Read more |
Other attractions
Chamrousse
Grenoble
L'Alpe d'Huez
Vienne
Villard-de-Lans
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The Vercors Regional Natural Park offers visitors a mesmerising blend of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and thrilling outdoor activities. This pristine landscape features dramatic limestone cliffs, deep gorges, lush forests, and meadows teeming with wildlife, including chamois, mouflon, deer, and Alpine ibex. The park boasts exceptional biodiversity with 85 protected plant species and 75 orchid species. Beyond its natural splendour, the Vercors holds significant historical importance as a bastion of the French Resistance during World War II, with numerous remembrance sites such as the Memorial of the Resistance and the Museum of the Resistance in Vassieux-en-Vercors. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy hiking along 4,000 km of marked trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving in thousands of underground cavities, and skiing at resorts like Villard-de-Lans in winter, whilst nature lovers can explore remarkable attractions including the Grotte de Choranche cave system and Mont Aiguille, the emblem of the region.
Firminy
The Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park offers a remarkable blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage. Created in 2001 at the initiative of chestnut farmers, this UNESCO Geopark boasts over 50 extinct volcanoes, 4,000 kilometres of hiking trails, and 3,000 kilometres of rivers. Visitors can explore Mont Mézenc (the park's highest point at 1,753 metres), witness the source of the Loire River at Mont Gerbier de Jonc, and discover rich biodiversity including 2,800 plant species and diverse wildlife such as golden eagles and otters. Beyond natural attractions, the park preserves medieval castles, Romanesque churches, and traditional villages that reflect its thousand-year history. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities ranging from winter sports at Croix de Bauzon to summer kayaking on the Eyrieux or Chassezac rivers, while those seeking relaxation can visit one of three renowned thermal stations. The region's distinctive chestnut cultivation heritage is celebrated through dedicated museums and visitor centres.
A charming medieval stone village nestled in the Ardèche mountains between Montélimar and Orange...
Mount Gerbier de Jonc
Postman Cheval's Ideal Palace in Hauterives is one of France's queerest attractions. Regarded as an extraordinary example of naïve art architecture, the palace was built between 1879 and 1912 by a French postman...
Ancient capital of Gaul, silk capital of Europe in the Renaissance, then industrial powerhouse, Lyon now likes to style itself as the 
Pérouges is a splendid fortified town with cobblestone streets and harmonious 15th and 16th-century stone houses...
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