A Travel Guide to the Rhone-Alpes
Located between Côte d’Azur and Paris, bordering with both Italy and Switzerland, the region of Rhône Alpes is located in the crossroads of the European continent. The region has peerless sites like the Gorges de l’Ardèche and Mont Blanc along with eight natural parks. It offers a wide range of varied landscapes with vineyards, mountains, gentle valleys, olive groves and fields of lavender. Water is found everywhere in Rhône Alpes, from glacial ice to snow, streams, rivers and lakes. Three of the biggest lakes in France are found in Rhône Alpes, namely Lac d’Annecy, Lac du Bourget and Lake Geneva.
Rhône Alpes is a great place for sport lovers as well. Visitors interested in mountain biking, hiking, paragliding or canoeing will surely have a great time. It has more than 60 golf courses and is the second most important region for golfing in France. It has hosted winter Olympics three times and has the largest area for skiing in the world.
The wealth and glory of Vienne was created during the Roman Empire. And since then it has retained its identity as one of the most important archaeological heritage site in France. Some of the most visited attractions include the Roman Theatre where the famous jazz festival Jazz à Vienne is held every year, the garden of St Bell, the Temple of Argus does and Livia and many other similar attractions along with attractions from other periods of history such as the St-André-le-Bas cloister and the Cathedral of St Maurice are found here. All of these attractions have given Vienne the title – the City of Art and History
Lyon is the capital of the region, and each and every corner of it oozes atmosphere. In Lyon the visitor can enjoy heritage sites that are over 2000 years old, stylish shops, art and culture and urban illuminations. The festivals of Lyon are certainly worth visiting, especially the light Festival in December when the buildings seem to shimmer and dance with the help of special visual effects. Many visitors come here to celebrate New Year. The finest square in Lyon is Place Bellecour. It is located between the Saône and the Rhône and has the statue of Louis XIV. Generally, the square is always busy and has a number of activities to indulge in.
There is a wide variety of self catering holiday accommodation in the Rhone-Alpes ranging from apartments in the towns, gites and cottages in the countryside and by the lakes to ski chalets in the valleys.
