Rhone-Alpes

Savoy Alps (Savoie and Haute Savoie) - high mountains in the east

The eastern part of the Rhone-Alpes region is 'high Alps' country', including the highest mountain in France, Mont Blanc (on the border with Italy) and many other high mountains and passes.

Outdoor activities - hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, skiing etc are predictably key activities throughout the region, where natural beauty is the great attraction rather than architecture, and each year some of the most exciting stages in the Tour de France take place here, including the frequent great climb at Alpe d'Huez.

This part of the Rhone-Alpes is largely encompassed by the departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie, probably two of France's most beautiful departments, extending from Geneva to the north and towards Briancon (Provence region) in the south. One of the highlights is  Annecy (and of course Lake Annecy) and the lovely villages of Talloires, Menthon Saint Bernard and Veyrier du Lac on the lake's edges and in the nearby mountains is the picturesque alpine village of Abondance. Not far away are the fabulous alpine towns of Chamonix, Megeve and Saint Gervais. The Olympic town of  Albertville and Conflans are also in this area.

Grenoble itself falls in the Isere department. Other highlights in the Rhone Alps include Lake Geneva and the towns along its shores, be sure to visit Evian les Bains, Thonon les Bains and the beautiful village of Yvoire. Don't miss the magnificent scenery in the Gex region, around Divonne-les-Bains, Ferney-Voltaire (including Voltaire Chateau) and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, along the valley of the Valserine, part of the Natural regional park of Haut-Jura.

There is a large spa town at Aix-les-Bains, on the banks of the Bourget Lake and Chambery is a favourite for vistors to this area. The Vanoise National Parc is another scenic highlight, while the classified beautiful villages of Bonneval (Savoie department) and Yvoire on the banks of Lake Geneva (Haute-Savoie) are also in this part of France.

see also the Isere travel guide

Ain, Loire and Rhone departments - the northern Rhone-Alpes

North-east of the mountains the landscape of the landscape is quite different, less dramatic but with its own distinctive appeal.

Among the highlights of this region are the Dombes plateau and lakes, north of Trévoux and Pérouges, ideal for bird-watching; Bourg-en-Bresse to the north of the region, and the surrounding pretty villages such as Coligny, Verjon, Pressiat, Cuisiat, Treffort, and Meillonnas, each with their own character.

In the north-west of the region around Villefranche-sur-Saone is the beaujolais wine region, while the main towns of Lyon (capital of the region) with its lovely Presqu'ile centre and Cremieu are to the east. Near to Lyon is the monastery at Eveux designed by Le Corbusier.

The pretty medieval town of Perouges is a 'most beautiful village' in the Ain department, while Oingt, at 20 km from Lyon, is in the Rhone department. Also close to Lyon are Anse, Trevoux and Theize. On the border with Switzerland and close to the Jura mountains, visit the spa town at Divonne-les-Bains, or head south in the Ain department to visit Belley and the Pays de Bugey.

In the Loire department is the attractive natural park of Pilat and in it the pretty villages of Pelussin and Malleval and the 'most beautiful village' of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez. Its capital is Saint-Etienne.

See more information in the Ain travel guide

Drome and the south

Bordering Provence, the Drome region of the rhone-Alpes is best known for its lavendar fields and quiet market towns.

Relaxing in the Drome-Provence region, surrounded by lavender fields, and visit Vaison la Romaine (itself across the border in Provence), or visiting the Vercors Natural Regional Park. Two picturesque villages include Le Poet-Laval to the north of here and La Garde-Adhemar to the west.

Among the most visited landmarks in the region are the Chateau de Grignan, the Chateau de Suze-la-Rousse, and the extraordinary monuments of Palais Idéal built by the postman Cheval at Hauterives.

travelling along the Valley of the Rhone, including the principal towns of Vienne, Romans-sur-Isere, Montelimar, Nyons and Valence, also the nearby town of Tain l'Hermitage best known for its gourmet products. The town of Crest also merits a visit, while a 'beautiful village' to discover in Drome is Mirmande, a medieval village near Montelimar

Ardeche - south west Rhone Alps

The Ardeche, to the south-west of the Rhone-Alpes, has several highlights and places of great natural beauty, including the Gorges de l'Ardeche - amazingly beautiful, about 40km of deep gorge with the Ardeche at the bottom and best accessed from Vallon Pont d'Arc (not to be confused with Pont d'Arc itself, the stone arch at the entrance to the gorges).

Another sight not to be missed in the Ardeche is the Bois de Paiolive near Les Vans, where olive trees are interspersed with large, curiously shaped rock formations, and the nearby villages of Chambonas, Naves and Banne (see below). The 'capital' of the Ardeche is Privas, also in a fine setting, while the cathedral town at Viviers has quite an extensive old town.

The classified 'most beautiful village' of Balazuc is on a cliff on the banks of the Ardeche River. a further classification of villages in the Ardeche is as 'villages of character' many of which are very beautiful and in very scenic locations. These include : Ailhon, Alba-la-Romaine, Antraigues-sur-Volane, Beauchastel, Banne, Boucieu-le-Roi, Chalencon, Desaignes, Jaujac, Labeaume, Meyras, Naves (near Les Vans), Saint-Montan, Thueyts, Vinezac and Vogue. (The majority of these are in the south of the department around Aubenas.)

See more information in the Ardeche travel guide and also in our Massif Central guide