Situated between Paris and the Côte d’Azur, on the border with both Switzerland and Italy, and offering access to two international airports (Lyon and Geneva), impressive rail connections and a vast motorway network, the Rhône-Alpes region is literally at the crossroads of Europe.
Boasting 8 natural parks and peerless sites such as Mont Blanc and the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the Rhône-Alpes offers a wide range of different landscapes: mountains, vineyards and gentle valleys, fields of lavender and olive groves.
In the Rhône-Alpes, water is everywhere: from snow to glacier ice, rivers and streams to lakes…the Rhône-Alpes is where three of France’s biggest lakes can be found (Lake Geneva, Lac du Bourget and Lac d’Annecy).
Every form of sport is readily available, set against an impressive natural backdrop: hiking, mountain biking or even paragliding and canoeing… the Rhône-Alpes is not only the second most important golfing region in France with over 60 courses but it also has the largest ski area in the world and has hosted the Winter Olympics three times.
Enthusiasts of art and culture will not be disappointed by the region’s Villes d’Art: Lyon, which is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, Annecy, Grenoble, Chambéry, and Saint Etienne.
And last but not least, connoisseurs of good food and wine will be spoilt for choice by the range of local specialities available to taste along with a Beaujolais or a Côtes du Rhône, and by the sheer number of famous restaurants (with Paul Bocuse at the top of the list) in the region.
ACCESS:
AIR :
AIR FRANCE KLM website for travel agents. Discover a surprising range of products and informations with both Air France and KLM where you can remain informed about best deals and latest news. Enjoy all these advantages. They will help you sell better, faster and easier. It’s only a click ahead!
Aéroport International de Lyon Saint Exupéry
From August 2010, new express shuttle Lyon Centre / Lyon airport in 30mn. www.rhoneexpress.fr
Aéroport International de Genève
Aéroport Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont Blanc
Aéroport Chambéry Savoie
Aéroport Grenoble Isère
Aéroport de Saint-Etienne Bouthéon
RAIL:
International services (high speed trains):
International train services : www.raileurope.com
National services: national rail services link Rhône-Alpes with many destinations in France, especially with high speed trains (TGV)
National train services : www.sncf.com
Regional services : local rail services criss-cross the region for regular connections and link alpine resorts with country towns
Regional train services: www.ter-sncf.com
ROAD :
With more than 1,300 kilometres of motorways, Rhône Alpes is among the best served regions of France for efficient access by road. Info on www.via-michelin.com