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France - Rhône-Alpes

A brief summary of Rhône-Alpes

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 there is the region Auvergne. And 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. 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.

French is the only official language of the region. Many of the inhabitants of the south spoke varieties of Occitan although it is in steep decline in this region. There are large immigrant populations from Poland, Italy, Portugal and North Africa, amongst other places.

Although there have been people in Rhône-Alpes since pre-historic times, the earliest recorded settlers of the region were the Celts. Cities such as Lyon (Lugdunum in Latin after the Celtic God Lugh) 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.
Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France and specialities served in its bouchons include Lyon sausage, salami, tripe and quenelles (fish balls). In the east of the region the food has an Alpine flavour with dishes such as fondue and raclette common. The region is also famous for its Bresse poultry and the many varieties of cheese including Tomme de Savoie, Bleu de Bresse, Reblochon and Vacherin. Chartreuse liquor is made in the region.

As with all of France the local currency is the Euro. Whether renting property to move or holiday here, more information about Rhône-Alpes can be found here.