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Rhône-Alpes

Pictured Above: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Station

To the east of the région is the western part of the Alps. The Rhône and Saone rivers meet in Lyon, the second largest metropolitan area in France, after Paris. Lyon has been known for several centuries as the French capital of gastronomy, due to its number of famous chefs and proximity to two of France's best known wine-growing régions: the Beaujolais to the North, and the Côtes du Rhône to the South. Therefore, you cannot visit Lyon without experiencing its famous cuisine. To do this, visit one of the Bouchons, a very typical and traditional restaurant in Lyon which only serves local, traditional Lyonnais dishes and local wines. Known for hiking and winter sports, Rhône-Alpes has snow-capped peaks, and is where the Rhone River begins and flows to the Mediterranean. In the Rhone valley, visit vineyards, medieval castles, and ancient Roman ruins. This région also offers several glistening lakes, including Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. Finally, discover the city of Evian, the birthplace of Natural Mineral Water known throughout the world, situated between Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Highlights
Départements: Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Savoie, Isère, Loire, Rhône, and Savoie.

Capital: Lyon

Regional Wine:
Beaujolais wine is very popular in Lyon and remains the most common table wine served with local dishes. Lyon Chartreuse liqueur is also made in this région.

Good to know:
-Rhône-Alpes is located on the Eastern border of France, above the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région.