RHÔNE-ALPES INFORMATION
RHÔNE-ALPES Typography
The region of Rhône-Alpes, which was established in 1980, is located in the southwestern part of France. The region is bordered by the French regions of Burgundy and Franche-Comté on the north, Switzerland and Italy are to the east, the regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon are to the south and the region of Auvergne is to the west. The region is composed of the eight départements: Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Savoie, Isère, Loire, Rhône and Savoie. The region’s capital is Lyon and its major cities are Annecy, Bourg-en-Bresse, Grenoble and Valence.
RHÔNE-ALPES Geography
Rhône-Alpes is located in the east of France. To the north are the French regions of Bourgogne (Burgundy) and Franche-Comté, to the west it borders the region Auvergne, to the south it borders Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The east of the region contains the western part of the Alps and borders Switzerland and Italy. The highest peak is Mont Blanc, on the Italian border. The central part of the region is taken up with the valley of the Rhône and the Saône. The confluence of these two rivers is at Lyon. The western part of the region contains the start of the Massif Central mountain range. The region also borders or contains major lakes such as Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and Lake Annecy. The Ardèche is home to the deepest gorge in Europe.
As with the rest of France, French is the only official language of the region. 50 years ago, Franco-Provençal was widely spoken in the whole region. Many of the inhabitants of the south spoke varieties of Occitan although it is in steep decline in this region. There were relatively large immigrant populations from Poland, Italy, Portugal and North Africa, amongst other places.
RHÔNE-ALPES History
Although there have been people in Rhône-Alpes since pre-historic times, the earliest recorded settlers of the region were the Gauls. Cities such as Lyon were founded by them and the region traded with both northern and southern Europe. Most of the area became part of Roman territory during the invasion of Gaul led by Julius Caesar and was at various times part of the regions of Lugdunensis and Gallia. Lyon itself became a major Roman city.
The region, excepting Savoy, was part of the Merovingian and Carolingian Kingdoms before becoming a royal territory under the Capetians. As it became a royal territory early on in French history, its history has not differed much from France since.
RHÔNE-ALPES Climate
According to Météo France the region boasts 24 different climates. On average the Rhone Alps has twice as much rainfall as any other French region and with its 7000 km of water sources, it is no wonder that water is such a dominant feature.
However, this oceanic influence is subdued by the barrier of the Massif Central to the west, the Mediterranean currents in the south and the Alps to the east (600-2000 mm rainfall per year): anti-cyclonic tendencies are the norm.
Within the region's borders such contrasting climates are impressive: in just a few kilometres it is possible to go from a damp climate to a very dry one.
Similarly the mountain weather (wet) is diametrically opposed to that in Montélimar (Mediterranean - hot and dry). The corridor formed by the Saône and Rhône valleys, effectively the Rhone Alps' backbone, is relatively dry.
RHÔNE-ALPES Transportation
Rhône-Alpes is a major European transit hub, linking northern France and Europe to the Mediterranean area. Millions travel along its motorways in summertime from Paris to holidays at the sea. The E15 Euroroute (Britain to Spain) runs through the region. There are international airports at Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Étienne and many other minor airports and airfields. The region is also a transport hub for the rail-network with the TGV running through Lyon from Paris and the north, to the Mediterranean. A trans-national, high-speed rail-link is under construction from Lyon to Turin.
RHÔNE-ALPES Demography
Rhône-Alpes is the only region of France that contains 3 major cities in France. It forms the triangle Lyon - Grenoble - Saint-Etienne. This triangle is the economic core of the region. These three urban areas are very complementary, and have smaller cities around, like satellites.
Lyon's area : 1,798,395 inhabitants (2008)
Grenoble's area : 560,222 inhabitants (2008)
Saint-Etienne's area : 321,703 inhabitants (1999)
Valence's area : 164,334 inhabitants (2008)
RHÔNE-ALPES Main cities
Albertville, Annecy, Bourg-en-Bresse, Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon, Montélimar, Roanne, Saint-Etienne, Valence.
RHÔNE-ALPES Wine
See the France's Vineyards Map and also Beaujolais Vineyards, Savoie's Vineyards, Vallée du Rhône Vineyards.
RHONE-ALPES HOLIDAY RENTALS in Region of FRANCE
MORE THAN 10.000 B&B in all France
MORE THAN 10.000 Gîtes in all France
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