Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the natural region
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a name that comes up whenever people talk about greenery and calm. True to its reputation, it is home to the finest volcanoes in France! And to breathtaking activities and discoveries too!
Third stop on our Region Trip! Here we are in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region owes its reputation to its big cities, its food and also to its many unusual landscapes and nature reserves.Where nature still rules
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has it all when it comes to the great outdoors. If you are after peace and quiet, relaxation and a complete change of scene, you have come to the right place!
There are numerous nature parks spread right across the region. The most impressive are the nature parks of the Vercors, the puy de Dôme and the puy de Sancy, home to the famous Auvergne volcanoes. You can climb them thanks to a wealth of walking trails, and you can even fly over them in a hot-air balloon. Nor should we forget Le Puy en Velay, known as the starting point of one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. And you cannot miss the Chaudefour valley nature reserve: the Vanoise national park, the Baronnies provençales and Chartreuse nature parks and the Aravis massif can also be visited in the region.
Thanks to its enviable location, the region boasts many world-famous ski resorts. Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif with its legendary Aiguille du Midi, as well as plenty of resorts in the Alps such as Les Deux Alpes, Val d'Isère and Alpe d'Huez. Sadly the health situation meant we could not go there this winter, but the resorts are ready to welcome us this summer.Activities to suit every taste
As we mentioned above, winter sports are on offer in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but they are far from the only activities worth a mention.
There are countless walks such as the Puy de Montchal and Lac Pavin, the Puy des Goules and the Sarcoui cave, or Les Gardes and the Pont du Cantal, to name just a few.
Another well-known attraction is the Ardèche gorges and their famous Pont d'Arc.
There are family activities too, such as the Gévaudan park and its many breeds of wolf, or the Vulcania theme park.
For history and architecture lovers, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has a great deal to offer. It is packed with remains from centuries past, such as the medieval town of Pérouges, the fortress of Polignac or, in the same vein, the château de la Roche. Then there are the perfectly preserved villages such as Lavaudieu, Salers (which shares its name with the local breed of cattle) or Royat, above Clermont-Ferrand, known as the home of the oldest oak tree in France.
If you are keen on more unusual outings, you can visit the Postman's Ideal Palace. It stands in Hauterives in the Drôme. This monument tells the extraordinary story of a postman who built this all-stone castle with his own hands.The cradle of great cities
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is dominated by nature, but that is not all it has.
It is also home to Lyon, France's third-largest city. We would particularly recommend visiting the old town and the Fourvière Basilica.
A few kilometres away, in the town sometimes called little Venice, you can explore Annecy with its canals and its lake.
Nor should you forget Clermont-Ferrand, with the cathedral of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption and the place de Jaude.
If spa treatments are your thing, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has the towns of Evian-les-Bains, world-famous for its spring water, and Vichy, known for its thermal springs, open to spa guests in winter and to the general public in summer.Food that everyone knows
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region also has a wonderfully characterful food heritage, rooted in tradition. It is known to all for its cheeses, whose reputation needs no introduction: Saint Nectaire, Fourme d'Ambert and Cantal.
The region is also known for its hot dishes such as aligot and potée auvergnate, or the brioche de Saint Genix, which I personally recommend.
This article would not be complete without mentioning the region's winemaking heritage. The Rhône valley is France's second-largest wine-producing region after Bordeaux. Many vineyards are open to visitors and plenty of wine trails have been set up across the region.Our tour of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ends here. I hope all this variety has made you want to discover the region. See you very soon for a fourth stop on the roads of our beautiful France.
Your welcome book is a valuable guide: keep it up to date!
Frequently asked questions
What are the most beautiful nature parks in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes? The Vercors nature park, the puy de Dôme and the puy de Sancy are among the must-sees, with the Auvergne volcanoes reachable via many hiking trails or by hot-air balloon. The Chaudefour valley nature reserve, the Vanoise national park, the Baronnies Provençales nature park, the Chartreuse and the Aravis massif round out the list.
Which ski resorts should you visit in the region? The region has world-famous resorts such as Chamonix, at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif and its legendary Aiguille du Midi. Les Deux Alpes, Val d’Isère and l’Alpe d’Huez complete the offer for winter sports enthusiasts.
What should history and architecture lovers see? The medieval town of Pérouges, the Polignac fortress and the château de la Roche bear witness to the region’s past. You can also discover preserved villages such as Lavaudieu, Salers or Royat, and visit the Palais idéal du facteur in Hauterives, in the Drôme.
Which cities are worth discovering in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes? Lyon, France’s third largest city, deserves a visit to its old town and Fourvière basilica. Annecy, nicknamed little Venice, charms with its canals and lake, while Clermont-Ferrand offers its Notre-Dame de l’Assomption cathedral and place de Jaude.
What are the region’s typical dishes and cheeses? The region is known for its cheeses such as Saint Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert and Cantal. Warm dishes like aligot, potée auvergnate and the Saint Genix brioche are also enjoyed there.
Can you visit vineyards in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes? Yes, the Rhône valley is the second largest wine-producing region in France after the Bordeaux region. Many vineyards are open for visits, and wine tourism circuits are offered throughout the region.
The region offers a diversity of landscapes and activities, from natural parks to mountain ranges, including world-renowned ski resorts.
| Type of natural site | Key location | Main activity |
|---|---|---|
| Natural parks | Vercors, Puy de Dôme, Puy de Sancy | Hiking, hot air balloon rides |
| Reserves and massifs | Chaudeffour Valley, Vanoise, Baronnies provençales, Chartreuse, Aravis | Observation, exploration |
| Ski resorts | Chamonix, Mont-Blanc, Les Deux Alpes, Val d'Isère, Alpe d'Huez | Winter sports |
| Pilgrimages and gorges | Le Puy en Velay, Ardèche gorges, Pont d'Arc | Spiritual walking, canyon exploration |
| Family activities | Gévaudan, Vulcano | Wildlife discovery, theme park |
| Historical heritage | Pérouges, Polignac, Roche, Lavaudieu, Salers, Royat, Hauterives | Visit medieval cities and castles |
| Major vineyards | Rhône Valley | Tastings and wine circuits |
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