RHONE-ALPES TOURIST INFORMATION

Tourist information about the individual Rhone-Alpes departments of Ain, Loire, Rhone, Ardeche, Drome, Isere, Haute-Savoie and Savoie can be found through every property details page along with tourist information about the local towns, tourist attractions and information about events happening in Rhone-Alpes.

RHONE-ALPES TOURISM

The region of the Rhone-Alpes is situated in the South-East of France, between Paris (two hours by TGV) and the French Riviera, Provence Côte d'Azur. The Rhône-Alpes is an area of extremes : mountains and Mont Blanc (the highest peak in Europe at 15,771 feet), four vast natural parks (Vanoise, Vercors, Pilat and Ecrins), the Massif Central, vineyards, lavender fields, and magnificent pure lakes are among the most beautiful landscapes in France if not the world. The Rhône-Alps are perfect for natural activities and sports.

The Rhone-Alpes are the meeting point of north and southern Europe, bordering Switzerland and Italy. This region contains a wide variety of sites and a wealth of historical, geographical and cultural treasures. The Rhone-Alpes include the departments of the Ain, Ardeche, Drome, Isere, Loire, Rhone, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. The capital of the Rhone-Alpes is the gallo-romane city of Lyon.

The department of La Drome is in the old Dauphine Province, which includes the Drome, Isere and Haute-Alpes. The Savoie and Haute-Savoie and a part of Isere represent the Alps in the RHONE region.

A cultural cradle of heritage and history: Gallo-Roman remains, the medieval period, Romanesque art, and the Renaissance districts.

From the Vercors mountains to Provence, the Drome is divers, the product of a mix of Alpine and Mediterranean influences. Pine woods share the landscape with lavender fields and olive groves. The Drome possesses authentic features of its own, reflected in both its man made and natural environment, its crafts, traditions and agricultural activities. On the eastern limits of the Drome lie the first bastions of the Alps. This is the Vercors, a densely wooded region. Then there is the Diois, whose wealth relies on the Clairette de Die vineyards. Further south, the "Baronnies", home to limes, olive groves and lavender. To the west lies the Rhone Valley, planted with orchards and vineyards.

Gastronomy is one of the most famous characteristic of the region mainly thanks to the local production of wines such as Beaujolais and Côtes-du-Rhône, local cheeses, traditional dishes, Bresse chicken and owing to its famous restaurants and chefs, such as Bise, Blanc, Bocuse, Chapel, Chavent, Gagnaire, Orsi, and Point.

Savoie has a long history. The first people lived in this region dating from 12000 BC. They were hunters leaving many artefacts in Savoie. By 900 BC, different tribes occupied the region. They were mainly agriculture based. Between 121 and 61 BC, the Romans took over the region. After a long period of occupation, the tribes of Allobroges decided to join the Roman Empire. The Romans improved the road system and develop the city of Geneva, Annecy. Savoie had always been a temptation to its powerful neighbour. This region had been occupied five times. In 1815, the people of Savoie "les Savoyards" won back their ancestral monarchy. Under the influence of the revolutions of 1848, Savoie decide to be unified with Italy against Austri. Later on, Savoie felt misled by Italy and "les Savoyards" turned back to become part of France