Subregions

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Regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — switch to interactive map
Regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
 Ardèche and Drôme
Rolling hills, low mountain ranges and deep canyons, with a Mediterranean climate and vegetation.
 Auvergne
A mecca for hillwalkers and lovers of historical architecture; trek through Auvergne in search of châteaux and churches.
 Greater Lyon
The second-largest urban area in France also contains fine countryside with world class vineyards and orchards.
 Isère
Some lesser-visited parts of the Alps, home to the monks of Chartreuse and the academic heartland of Grenoble.
 Savoie
A formerly independent nation, with some of the best-known ski resorts, including Albertville, Chambéry and Les Trois Vallées.
 Haute-Savoie
The highest part of the French Alps, with Mont Blanc and famous ski resorts including Chamonix.

Cities and towns

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Clermont-Ferrand's incredible black cathedral
  • 1 Lyon — capital of the region and one of France's largest cities
  • 2 Annecy — charming old town and stunning lake, with a wealth of canals
  • 3 Aurillac — the end of August brings the annual street theatre festival
  • 4 Chambéry — once the capital of the Duchy of Savoie, and the birthplace of the Rights of Man
  • 5 Chamonix — the heart of Alpine France; the natural base for exploring Mont Blanc
  • 6 Clermont-Ferrand — a city of modern industry ringed by extinct volcanoes
  • 7 Grenoble — large academic centre surrounded by mountains
  • 8 Saint-Étienne — perhaps best known to football fans, this is a topographically interesting city
  • 9 Samoëns — a charming and typical example of a French mountain village

Other destinations

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  • 1 Le Grand Massif - one of France's top skiing areas at a relatively low altitude.
  • 2 Mont Blanc - at 4,810 m, is the highest summit in the European Union.
  • 3 Portes du Soleil - international skiing destination on the Franco-Swiss border.
  • 4 Puy-de-Dôme - stunning rock pinnacle topped with antennae, often hidden in clouds. Look out for eagles.
  • 5 Vanoise - a massif on the French-Italian border with large ski resorts.
  • 6 Vercors - a prealpine massif with diverse landscapes and some wilderness areas away from the pistes.