Third leg of our Régiontrip! Here we are in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is famous for its large cities, its gastronomy, but also for its many atypical landscapes and nature reserves.

When nature reigns supreme

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a wealth of natural beauty. If you’re looking for peace, relaxation and a change of scenery, you’ve come to the right place! There are numerous nature parks throughout the region. The most impressive of these are the Vercors, Puy de Dôme and Puy de Sancy nature parks, home to the famous Auvergne volcanoes. Many hiking trails make it possible to climb them. You can even fly over them in a hot-air balloon. And let’s not forget Le Puy en Velay, famous for being the starting point of one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

The Chaudeffour valley nature reserve, the Vanoise national park, the Baronnies provençales and Chartreuse nature parks and the Aravis massif can also be seen in the region.
Thanks to its advantageous location, the region boasts many world-famous ski resorts. Chamonix, the Mont-Blanc massif with its mythical Aiguille du Midi, as well as numerous resorts in the Alps such as Les Deux Alpes, Val d’Isère and Alpes d’Huez. Unfortunately, the health situation prevented us from going there this winter, but the resorts are ready to welcome us this summer.

Different and varied activities

As mentioned above, winter sports are accessible in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but they’re not the only activities to mention. There are numerous hiking trails such as Le Puy de Montchal and Lac Pavin. Le Puy des Goules and the Sarcoui cave. Les Gardes and Pont du Cantal, to name but a few. The Ardèche gorges and its famous Pont d’Arc are also well worth a visit. There are also family activities such as the Gévaudan park and its many varieties of wolf, or the Vulcano theme park.
For history and architecture buffs, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has a lot to offer. The region is overflowing with relics from other centuries, such as the medieval city of Pérouges, the fortress of Polignac or, in the same spirit , the Château de la Roche. Then there are villages that have been completely preserved, such as Lavaudieu, Salers, named after the region’s cattle breed, and Royat, above Clermont-Ferrand, known as the home of France’s oldest oak tree.
For lovers of unusual activities, you can visit Le Palais idéal du facteur. It’s located in Hauterives in the Drôme region. This monument tells the original story of a letter carrier who built this stone castle with his own hands.

Birthplace of great cities

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is not only prominent for its natural beauty. It includes Lyon, France’s third largest city. We recommend a visit to the old town and its Fourvière Basilica. A few kilometers away, also known as Little Venice, you can visit Annecy, with its canals and lake. And let’s not forget Clermont-Ferrand, with its Notre-Dame de l’Assomption cathedral and Place de Jaude.
For lovers of spa treatments, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is home toEvian les bains, world-famous for its spring water, and Vichy, famous for its thermal springs, which are accessible to curists in winter and open to the public in summer.

Its universally acclaimed gastronomy

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region also boasts a picturesque gastronomic heritage, steeped in tradition. The region is famous for its cheeses, such as Saint Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert and Cantal. What’s more, the region is famous for its hot dishes such as aligot, Potée Auvergnate and brioche de Saint Genix, which I personally recommend.
This article would not be complete without mentioning the region’s wine heritage. The Rhône Valley is France’s second-largest wine-producing region, after Bordeaux. Numerous wineries are open to visitors, and a number of wine tours have been set up in the region.

Our tour of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region comes to an end. I hope this diversity has inspired you to discover this region. And we’ll be back very soon for a fourth stop on the roads of our beautiful France. Your booklet is an invaluable guide – keep it up to date!