In Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, the French Alps and Mont Blanc are a mountain paradise.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

A dynamic, mountainous region of France in central-eastern France, known for its ski resorts, gastronomy and Lyon, its regional capital.Let’s travel around scenic French destinations such as Annecy, Chamonix, the Baronnies Provençales, or the Auvergne volcanoes. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is full of activities accessible for a weekend or even for several weeks. The French Alps attract winter sports fans every year! In summer, travelers enjoy getaways in the hills of the Drôme and the gorges of the Ardèche. The region is renowned for its gastronomy, including its cheeses (raclettes, fondues and tartiflettes), its potée auvergnate and its Côtes du Rhône wines (Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape).

Where is the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region?

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is located in the southeastern quarter of France and comprises 12 départements: Ain, Allier, Ardèche, Cantal, Drôme, Isère, Loire, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Rhône, Savoie and Haute-Savoie.

This superb region covers almost 70,000 km², or 13% of the French territory. Or, roughly, the size of Ireland.

It is the second most populous region in France after the Île-de-France (Paris and surrounding departements,) but it is far from being entirely habitable, as it is also the most mountainous region in France! This highly diverse area combines high-density urban areas, such as metropolitan Lyon, with rural and mountainous areas of low or very low population density.

Map of the region Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes in France with departments and cities

Map of the region Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

 

Why discover the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region?

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is a prime destination for mountain enthusiasts, offering breathtaking landscapes, majestic volcanoes, stunning gorges, and invigorating hiking trails. .

This region of France is adorned with 12 protected natural parks, including La Chartreuse, Les Écrins, the Mont-Blanc massif, the Parc National de la Vanoise, the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne and Lake Annecy.

Immerse yourself in its remarkable and rich heritage of castles, Romanesque churches and charming villages frozen in time. Explore vibrant cities such as Lyon, Le-Puy-en-Velay, Annecy, and Clermont-Ferrand.

Le Puy-en-Velay is a gem in the heart of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. The two must-see monuments are Notre-Dame Cathedral and the amazing statue of Notre-Dame de France.

The Puy-enVelay in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region

Visiting the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region means discovering the culinary delights of Lyon, marveling at the grandeur of the Alps and Mont-Blanc, or losing yourself in the romantic vistas of Annecy. A journey to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region promises an authentic and fulfilling experience, celebrating nature’s wonders and the joy of simple pleasures!

Stories and tips for staying and visiting other regions of France

About

A black and white portrait of Celine and her comic traveler alter-ego C-Ludik.

Hi ! My name is C-Ludik and I’m the person who runs this creative space. Welcome to ‘Tween here and there, a travel blog that shares awesome destinations, stunning photographs and captivating travel stories from around the world. No two landscapes are ever the same because of a different light, different conditions… whether it's a new or an old place. That’s what I love about nature and landscape photography. As the famous Ibn Battuta traveler said: « traveling – it leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller ». He’s right ! Behind the photographer, I see myself more as a storyteller. When I arrive on a place, I try to respond to what I see and tell the story of the land. If you love travel, exploring new places, and seeing more of this beautiful world then you'll be right at home here. ‘Tween here and there is the travel inspiration for those with full-time jobs and for those in search of any off-the-beaten track destinations around the world, near and far.

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