Discover Rhône-Alpes: the Alps, Lyon and great routes

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes brings together Lyon, the Alps and Mont Blanc, the Drôme and Ardèche, and the volcanoes of Auvergne as distinct destinations. The region’s character therefore ranges from urban history and cultural heritage to routes through varied landscapes.

Long routes by bike, on foot and on the road

The ViaRhôna connects Lake Geneva with the Mediterranean over 815 kilometres. The route passes Alpine panoramas, the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and southern Provence. It alternates between protected greenways and roads shared with other traffic, and showcases more than 2,000 years of history and cultural heritage along the way. Those who want to explore the route further can find, on ViaRhôna maps, continuous greenways, themed routes for different levels, and cultural, natural and protected areas along the route.

The region has 39,950 kilometres of marked hiking trails (as of 2026): 17,840 kilometres are GR/GRP trails and 22,110 kilometres are PR trails. The totals may be revised. The region is also equipped for itinerant travel on foot, by bicycle or on horseback; the routes mentioned include the ViaRhôna and paths of the Way of St James.

For a road trip, the Grand Tour offers another perspective. It stretches over 3,000 kilometres and twelve départements, is divided into 28 stages and includes 43 remarkable places. The number of stages and places gives an idea of the scale of this circuit without reducing the variety of its individual stops to a single type of landscape.

Nature experiences between mountains and water

In the ten regional natural parks, activities include mountain biking, hiking, climbing, via ferrata and adventure courses. The selection ranges from trails to explore independently to climbing and course activities. Canyoning combines hiking, climbing, caving and swimming in white water.

Winter sports are also part of the regional offering. In 2024, the regional winter sports offering comprised 174 ski resorts or areas, including 133 alpine resorts and 127 Nordic areas. The alpine and Nordic categories may count some resorts twice. The figures therefore do not represent 260 distinct places.

Lyon’s urban history and guided heritage visits in Savoie and Haute-Savoie

Lyon’s UNESCO-listed historic site preserves more than two millennia of urban development: from Roman Lugdunum and the medieval streets of Fourvière to Renaissance Vieux-Lyon and the Canut workers’ housing of Croix-Rousse. The city’s history is also connected with the confluence of the Saône and Rhône, three hills, and Lyon’s position as a crossroads for northern and southern European influences. This combination of topography and urban history makes Lyon a distinctive cultural theme for the trip.

Guided visits are offered at 103 heritage sites in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, with 127 accredited tour guides and five trainee guides. In Savoie, the topics range from medieval towns, spa towns and traditional villages to castles, fortresses, abbeys and mines. Museums, churches, chapels, farms and crafts are also part of this range.

Regional products and other destinations

Culinary highlights range from Nyons olive oil and Bresse poultry to green Puy lentils and Ardèche chestnuts. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is credited with 46 percent of French AOC cheese production; the region is also associated with 44 wines, including Côtes-du-Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage, Beaujolais and Brouilly.

Among the 21 emblematic tourist destinations are L’Aventure Michelin, Grotte Chauvet 2, the Panoramique des Dômes, Vulcania, the Train de l’Ardèche and Walibi. Together with the major cycling and hiking routes, Lyon’s cultural heritage, and guided visits in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, these offer a variety of themes for a trip.

Discover more destinations: Haute-Savoie, Isere, Savoie, Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Loire, Rhône.

See the main travel overview: France.