Holidays in the Rhone-Alpes, France

The Rhone-Alpes is a large, mountainous region in the south-east of France, which has something to offer all visitors, whether they visit in summer or winter. In the summer, you can follow walking trails in the mountains, relax on the lakeside beaches or explore historic towns and villages, while the region is home to some of the most exclusive and famous French ski resorts, which attract visitors from all over the world in the winter.

Mountains and skiing

Many of the most famous skiing resorts in the Rhone-Alpes region are very exclusive and very expensive, but there is nothing to stop visitors staying somewhere cheaper and spending a day on the slopes at Val d'Isere, Meribel or Courcheval. Some of these ski slopes also host winter sports competitions, whether downhill skiing or snowboarding. Even though they are only small towns, they are well equipped with bars and restaurants to keep everyone entertained after they've finished on the slopes. In the summer, these mountain towns can be just as beautiful and a lot quieter. The highest mountain the Alps, Mont Blanc, is located in this region and you can enjoy great views of the peak from relatively easy walking trails on nearby hills and mountains.

Towns and cities

The main city in the Rhone-Alpes region is Lyon, which is where most people flying to the area will arrive. Parts of Lyon are very functional and industrial, but its historic centre has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings in Lyon's old town date from Roman remains, including an amphitheatre, which offers great views over the city, to period houses from the Renaissance. There is plenty of green space in the city centre, including a large zoo in the Tete d’Or Park and skiers may want to take a break from the slopes to check out the illuminated city monuments during the month of December. Other historic towns in the region include St Etienne, home to an extensive modern art museum, and Annecy, nicknamed the Venice of Savoie for its many canals and 12th century buildings that line the waterways.

Lakes

Annecy is also home to a large lake that shares its name, one of the purest lakes in Europe. In summer, the beaches that are dotted along its shores are busy with locals and tourists alike and you can try out water sports like windsurfing and water skiing. Further north is the famous Lake Geneva, which marks the border between France and Switzerland. You can take pleasure cruises on the lake from which you can enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and the city of Geneva itself. The French shore is home to a number of spa towns, including Evian-les-Bains, now famous for the bottled water available worldwide.



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