Located in the south-eastern part of France, the
Rhône-Alpes region shares its eastern borders with Switzerland and Italy. Loire, Rhône, Ain, Drôme, Isère, Ardèche and Savoie are the eight departments comprising
Rhône-Alpes which is home to just over 5.5 million people and scenery so spectacular it may be regarded the toast of the entire country. As it is a remarkable tourist destination, visitors to
Rhône-Alpes will find no limit to the many sites to see nor the many activities of which partake. The region is also quite famous for being a film director’s dream and the many museums provide a great deal of artistic culture.
The highest European peak, Mont Blanc, with its year-long ice-capped tip, is the summit of the mountains which rise up from Lac Leman (that is Lake Geneva). The winter time brings a white-wash of icy lakes and snowcapped peaks which make for a great ski experience, while the summer months bring an entirely different experience with conditions prime for swimming in lakes or hiking through flowery meadows. During those times, many national parks prove ideal to meet the needs of ambitious walkers. Owning a holiday home in a place such as this would prove beneficial throughout the year and also generate guaranteed year-long rental income. Of note, the winter-time flock of visitors to the ski resorts does not inhibit the rural life of the remote valleys, where residents have become hardened to the constant threat of avalanches as well as the harsh climate.
Local specialties include salade lyonnaise made with chicken livers and lamb shanks, andouillette à la lyonnaise which is sausages of tripe stuffed with veal and served alongside fried onions, and cervelas lyonnais which is a brioche filled with truffles, sausage, and pistachios. The region produces great wines, including the Côtes du Forez and the Côte Roannaise in the west, the Vins de Savoie such as Apremont, Chautagne, Abymes, Ripaille and the Vins du Bugey such as Cerdon in the east, and the Beaujolais vintages in the north.
The remarkable beauty of
Annecy, the region’s capital, is due in large part to its colonnaded streets, as well as the many tributaries of the Canal de Thiou and its associated railings that overflow with geraniums. Surrounded by several charming villages, the environment in
Annecy is perfect for many activities, including water sports, bathing and picnics on the beach.
The dramatic nature of the eastern departments is not mirrored throughout the region however. The Beaujolais area, for example, is a land of forests and pastures and is famous mostly for its wines. This area also produces a number of oils, such as pecan nut, olive, pine kernel and almond oils. Canoeists, cyclists, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the less explored department of Ardèche where a land dense with chestnut forests of nesting eagles exists by the tributaries of River Saône which slice through steep gorges.
The beauty of the environment along with the prosperous economical state of
Rhône-Alpes are indeed a great combination to entice people to come take up residence here or to invest in a second home.
