The Rhone-Alpes is one of the most populated of the French regions, its main cities include Lyon an old Roman city well known for its architecture and the annual Festival of Lights Fête de la Lumière which is held on the 8th of December each year in honour of the Virgin Mary who apparently saved the city from a deadly plague in the Middle Ages.

Other notable cities include Annecy a beautiful city which is perched on a lake and Grenoble well known for its winter sports and the home of the 1968 Winter Olympics. The Rhone-Alpes gets its name from the river Rhone and of course the Alps.

Rhone-Alpes is a stunning contrast of landscapes both mountains and deep fertile valleys. The east is dominated by the Alps while in the south lavender and olives are grown. In the north the terrain gives way forest and pasture and is an important wine region both Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône are produced here.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to the west the Ardeche is home to one of the deepest gorges in Europe and with its white water rivers the area is popular with canoeists. National Parks in the Rhone-Alpes include the Cevennes, Vanoise, Vercors, Pilat and Ecrins

The main industries of the Rhone-Alpes include tourism, winter sports, metal working and manufacturing.

Local wines include the famous Beaujolais and Côtes-du-Rhône.

The climate and weather in the Rhone Alpes varies tremendously however it does boast nearly double the annual rainfall of any other French region but this is mostly in the mountain areas. The south of the region enjoys a more Mediterranean feel and is much hotter and drier.

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