In the winter months this is the heart of Skiing in France with many of the largest and most well developed resorts located here including: , , , , , , , , , ,. This legacy of ancient occupation is still prominent in the modern-day Rhônes-Alpes, with a series of unforgettable attractions complementing the natural splendour and cultural traditions. A commercial and cultural hub in Eastern France, Lyon was founded by the Romans where the Rhône meets the Saône rivers. The region covers an area of more than 69,711 km 2 26,916 sq mi , making it the third largest in metropolitan France, with a population of 7,695,264, second only to. These include : , , , Beauchastel, , Boucieu-le-Roi, Chalencon, Desaignes, , , , near Les Vans , , , Vinezac and. From the wines of Châteauneuf du Pape with their velvety texture to Gigondas and Hermitage, the international acclaim afforded to the main labels of the Rhône-Alpes is well deserved. The area has a mixed economy: Lyon is traditionally a centre for the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, though also a major centre for service industries.
Since 2016, it has been merged into a new larger region known as Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Access by plane: has good connections throughout Europe, and is a hub for Easyjet. Made from rich reblochon cheese and smokey bacon, this is a simple yet satisfying meal that maintains great popularity for visitors to the nearby Alpine ski resorts. The Rhone-Alpes includes eight French departments: Ain, Ardeche, Drome, Isère, Loire, Rhone, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. The pretty medieval town of is a 'most beautiful village' in the department, and one of our personal favourite villages in France.
A popular activity is to ride the tram to the top of the Aguille-de-midi above the town on clear days and ride the cable cars across to the Italian side of the mountain spanning the massive Mer-de-glace glacier with only one support tower. A lot of this can be attributed to the diversity in different sectors such as high tech industries, tourism, and on offer. The wine industry of the Rhône-Alpes may well be dominated by the production of Côtes du Rhône, but the region offers more for the connoisseur and the layman alike. Various disciplines are showcased: music, dance, theatre… For the last five years, the Festival has grown in popularity. If you're not travelling by car, then the most convenient way to access these sites from major airports and train stations is by private taxi.
After having first been removed in 1956, tramways came back to the town in 2001. Many wine aficionados prefer the Mondeuse-based wines. The National Centre for Contemporary Art is one of the best in France. A useful classification of villages in the Ardeche is as 'villages of character' many of which are very beautiful and in very scenic locations. The Olympic town of and historic centre of Conflans is also in this area, and the town of is close to the ski-resort at Arêches-Beaufort.
It takes one and a half hours from Marseille, two hours from Paris or Montpellier, three hours from Lille and less than four hours from Strasbourg or Toulouse. Even a weekend getaway in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes can get you on your way to a free night. Traditional dining takes place at bouchons — establishments that derive their look and feel from 17 th and 18 th century inns that catered to silk workers in the region. Conflict and commerce Throughout the turbulent 16 th century, the Wars of Religion meant that the Rhône-Alpes was at the centre of conflict between warring factions, leading to the destruction of many towns and villages. A central part of the region is occupied by a north-south line of well-defined mountainous massifs: from north to south, Bornes, Beauges, Chartreuse, Vercors, Baronies.
Other charming alpine towns include, , , , , , and. Centre for the Bresse wetlands, an area of lakes and marshes famous for its birdlife. It is an area of high hills and plateaus, mostly made of old, acidic metamorphic rock. With its three main cities, , Grenoble and St. Lyon is closely associated with the two rivers which run through the city. It is located on the right bank of the Saone River and at the foot of Fourvière Hill. You can still find many relics of this period in modern day Lyon, such as the Ancient Theatre.
It is also world renown for it's restaurants and art. Because the region is so extensive and to make your planning easier we have reviewed the principal highlights for each of these departments below - please see the travel guides for each department for lots more information and places to visit. The hilly country of the Drome and Ardèche departments does not offer a lot of good agricultural land, except in the valleys, where fruit and vegetables are a major industry; but in recent years, both these industries have suffered on account of cheaper imports from southern Europe. These mountains are mainly made of limestone and are becoming a karst landscape. Receding glacier, accessible by rack and pinion train. There are eight departments within the region, which are the Ardeche, Isere, Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Ain, Drome and the Rhone.
What are the statistics and key data of Rhône-Alpes? For four days around the 8 December, about 4 million people come to Lyon to enjoy the show, which is well worth it! There is a large spa town at , on the banks of Bourget Lake and is a favourite for visitors to this area. It was due to this staunch opposition, however, that much damage was suffered, but through the bravery and valour of Jean Moulin, the city and Moulin himself have become emblems of French pride and wartime honour. History of the Rhone-Alpes To trace the history of the Rhône-Alpes is to journey back to an era of early human civilisation and to feel has felt the influence of both ancient Carthage and Rome on this spectacular region. It lies between the rivers Rhone and Saône, and on the steep western bank of the Saône. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article.