Holidays in Rhone, Rhone-Alpes, France

Located in the north of the Rhone-Alpes region, the department of Rhone is dominated by the major city of Lyon and also some of the most famous vineyards in Europe. History buffs will enjoy exploring the area's archaeological sites, while there is still plenty of open space for nature lovers to appreciate, despite their proximity to the industrial, transport hub of Lyon.

Lyon

But Lyon is not just about industry. The oldest part of the town is typically medieval, with its winding streets and Renaissance architecture. There are lots of covered walkways and squares to explore, as well as the larger buildings such as the cathedral and the own hall. In fact, the centre of Lyon has even made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are open spaces too, to relax and enjoy a picnic, like the Tete d'Or Park, which also features a zoo, while the peninsula between the two rivers in the city, the Rhone and the Saone, is a popular spot with walkers and cyclists. There is a wide selection of museums in Lyon, featuring exhibits on subjects as diverse as textiles, fine art, hospitals and puppets.

There are older attractions in the city, which is also home to many Roman ruins; the best-preserved are the theatres which are not only great to explore but also provide a spectacular view over Lyon. Just outside the city you can find other example of Roman architecture. In Chaponpost visitors can see the remains of the large Gier aqueduct, which was used to supply Lyon with water in Roman times. More Roman ruins and interesting archaeological sites can be found in the south of the region, at Saint-Roman-en-Gal. Here are a collection of buildings that were once the Roman district of Vienne. Tourists can wander among the ruins and see the beautiful mosaics that were recovered from the site.

Wine

The district of Rhone is famous for two types of wine; Cotes du Rhone and Beaujolais. The Cotes du Rhone vineyards are in the south, on the banks of the Rhone River, while Beaujolais is produced in the north. The Cote Rotie vineyard, which makes Cotes du Rhone, is one of the oldest in France and can still be visited by prior arrangement today. The Beaujolais-producing region is much larger, and boasts 12 different types of wine that are made under the Beaujolais umbrella. Every year in early November, residents celebrate their most famous export, the Beaujolais Nouveau; with a wine festival that should keep you warm in the winter temperatures! It is possible to visit some of the vineyards for a tour or a tasting, while the Maison des Beaujolais tells visitors all about the history of the these famous wines.



The Author writes for Holiday Home Rentals who have a selection of Villas in Rhone and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.