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Guide of Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

Tourism, holidays & weekends in Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

Guide of Auvergne-Rhône-Alps - Tourism, holidays & weekends in Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

A preferred destination for lovers of mountain landscapes and outdoor leisure activities, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and its exceptional natural heritage are a haven for hikers who love protected, unspoilt countryside and sportier visitors in search of thrills. From walks in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park or the Vanoise National Park to cross-country skiing in the Bauges, through rock climbing in the Mont-Blanc massif, canoe-kayaking in the Sioule gorges or swimming in the lakes of Annecy, Aiguebelette, Aydat, Le Bourget, Grangent and Chambon, you'll be spoilt for choice at holiday time. Skiing fans will be overwhelmed by the sheer number of winter sports resorts in the French Alps! Less athletic visitors can also enjoy the wonders of nature by travelling along the famous Route des Grandes Alpes, an exceptional itinerary dotted with mountain passes at over 2,000 metres in altitude! And to unwind, you can't beat a rest on the lake shores of the Massif Central and the Alps, or a pampering break in the thermal spas of Aix-les-Bains, Brides-les-Bains, Bourbon-l'Archambault, Chaudes-Aigues, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Royat, Uriage-les-Bains or Vichy.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes also boasts a remarkable built heritage. Its castle forts, Romanesque churches, typical villages and towns of great architectural and cultural importance, like Annecy, Chambéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Le Puy-en-Velay, Montluçon, Moulins and Riom, are sure to wow you! History enthusiasts and lovers of old buildings mustn't miss the chance to visit some major heritage sites, like Lyon's historical city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the archaeological site of Saint-Romain-en-Gal, Souvigny Priory, Orcival Basilica, Brou Royal Monastery, the medieval towns of Charroux and Salers, the picturesque villages of Balazuc, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Labeaume, Pérouges and Yvoire, and the castles of Anjony, Crussol, Murol, Tournoël and Le Touvet.

South of Lyon, on either side of the Rhône Valley, stand two favourite destinations for holidaymakers: Drôme on one side, with its charming villages, gently rolling hills, lavender fields and mountains, and the Ardèche on the other, with its famous gorges so loved by kayakers, characterful villages, volcanic sites, medieval castles and superb panoramas.

In between visits to these attractions, you can enjoy some delicious regional products and famous specialities. Cheeses from Auvergne and Savoie, green lentils from Le Puy, Lyonnaise salad, potée auvergnate stew, poultry from Bresse, tartiflette, raclette and fondue, Romans ravioles, wines from Côtes du Rhône and Saint-Pourçain, Montélimar nougat, Saint-Genix cake and pompe aux pommes (a local apple pie) are all packed with flavour to tickle your taste bud!

Territories of Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

Alps

Whether or not you're a keen skier, the Alpes region is a choice destination with many treasures in store. The lively and dazzling cities of Grenoble, Chambéry, Sisteron and Briançon are sure to win you over. Its many lakes, Le Bourget, Annecy, Geneva and Serre-Ponçon, are ideal places for relaxation and water sports. The grand canyon of the Verdon Gorges will amaze you, and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc will welcome you to its ski slopes.

Auvergne

Auvergne's famous volcanoes are not its only visitor attraction. History enthusiasts can also make the most of Auvergne's rich heritage by exploring Le Puy-en-Velay and its Romanesque cathedral, the medieval town of Salers, Orcival Basilica, the spa town of Vichy and the many castles. When it comes to nature, Puy de Dôme, the Cantal mountains and the Tronçais forest are a hiker's delight.

Bourbonnais

Be immersed in the history of the Dukes of Bourbon by visiting major Auvergne heritage sites like Montluçon old town, Souvigny Priory or the historic capital of Bourbonnais, Moulins, before taking a relaxing trip to the beautiful Tronçais forest!

Dauphiné

Between the Alps and the Rhône, set off to explore Dauphiné and its amazing heritage: Grenoble and its museums, Vienne and its ancient monuments, Pont-en-Royans and its suspended houses, Mont-Dauphin and its fortifications, as well as Vercors and Chartreuse with their unspoilt scenery, are just some of the destinations not to be missed!

Drôme-Ardèche

Sought-after destinations for lovers of nature and old buildings, Drôme and Ardèche offer many attractions ranging from character villages to medieval castles, through volcanic sites, the Ardèche gorges, the mountains of Vercors and the hills of Provençal Drôme.

Jura mountains

The ultimate green destination, the Jura Massif is a must for all lovers of nature and hiking, with its wonderful unspoilt landscapes alternating between wooded mountains, Alpine pastures, rivers and waterfalls. Meanwhile, the winter and summer sports resorts of Les Rousses and Les Monts du Jura will thrill fans of board sports and other outdoor leisure activities.

Lyonnais

On a visit to Lyonnais, as well as exploring cities full of exceptional heritage like Lyon and Saint-Étienne, you can also discover charming villages in the Land of Golden Stones, savour famous specialities, and enjoy beautiful landscapes in the Loire gorges or Mont Pilat.

Massif Central

A vast mountainous territory located at the very heart of France, the Massif Central is a favourite destination for lovers of nature and hiking. The Auvergne Volcanoes Park, Cévennes Park and Livradois-Forez Park truly have something to enchant everyone, with their outstanding natural areas strewn with countless paths!

Guide of Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

Ain

The Brou royal convent, gothic masterpiece, the Dombes lakes, the Saracen chimneys in Bresse, and the charming medieval town of Pérouges are among the gems to be discovered in the Ain.

Allier

Unspoiled nature, magnificent forest of Tronçais oaks, castles and fortresses, Sioule gorges and Vichy spa town are some of the features of the Allier.

Ardèche

Bringing together nature discoveries, relaxation, leisure, and sports activities, the Ardèche offers visitors its mountains, its captivating villages, its chestnut groves, its Ardèche Mountains Regional Nature Park, spas, and of course the famous Ardèche gorges.

Cantal

Boasting wild landscapes, the Cantal offers to the lovers of nature and authenticity numerous places of interest to discover: mountain massif of the mounts of Cantal and its famous puy Mary, Chestnut grove, medieval villages, typical dishes and renowned cheeses...

Drôme

Mixing tradition and relaxed pace of life, the Drôme also offers the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from the hills and villages of the Provençal Drôme to the Vercors Pre-Alps massif, wild and unspoiled place great for hikes and spotting bird life.

Haute-Loire

In the south of Auvergne, the Haute-Loire boasts a number of attractions, with its landscapes of forests, high plateaux and verdant prairies, its charming villages, its medieval castles and its City of Art and History of Puy-en-Velay.

Haute-Savoie

The Haute-Savoie boasts numerous remarkable sites, such as the famous Mont-Blanc, the highest peak of Western Europe, Lake Geneva lined with spa towns, prestigious winter and summer sports resorts, and the city of Annecy, nicknamed the Venice of Savoie with its wonderful lake.

Isère

Combining beautiful natural sites and historic sites, the Isère offers visitors its important heritage, with the Vercors massif, the City of Art and History of Vienne, the Chartreuse Regional Nature Park, and Grenoble, a city of Art rich in museums.

Loire

The Loire is a green département that invites walkers to the discovery of its attractions, among which the Pilat mountain area, the Loire Gorges, the Grangent lake, and Saint-Etienne, the city with seven hills.

Puy-de-Dôme

Situated in the heart of the Massif Central, the Puy-de-Dôme holds a marvelous natural heritage, as illustrated by the mounts Dôme, first volcanic mountain range in Europe, the mounts Dore and the Artense plateau. Besides these treasures, the visitors can also discover the city of Clermont-Ferrand, capital of Auvergne.

Rhône

Famous for its major city of Lyon, with an historic site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Rhône is also renowned for its gastronomy and for its famous Beaujolais vineyards.

Savoie

The famous winter sports and summer resorts, the vast ski resorts attracting skiers from all over the world, and the Vanoise massif, true paradise for the fans about mountain hiking, are just some of the features that make the Savoie a perfect destination for sporty types and nature lovers.

Weekends in Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

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