Introduction

Rhône is located in one of the 26 regions of France, Rhône-Alpes, which is in the southeast of the country. The region borders Switzerland and Italy, but French is still the only official language. The department of Rhone is not on the eastern border, but is more central. An estimate of Rhone's population in 2004 was 1,646,349 people.

History

Rhône became a department in its own right in over 300 years ago, in 1793. The department of Rhône-et-Loire was divided into two separate departments – Rhône and Loire.

Since then, the area has grown from 2791km square to 3249km square, incorporating suburbs of neighbouring Lyon.

Rhone's cities

• Lyon (capital of both Rhône and Rhône-Alpes)
• Villeurbanne
• Chaponost
• Bron

Weather

Pack a bottle of sun cream if you are visiting Rhône between June and September – temperatures during these summer months can reach 30 to 35 degrees. Rain and snow are not unusual during the winter, with temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees. It begins getting warmer towards the end of March.

Beaches

It may be not be situated on the coast, but there are some stunning beaches a short distance from Rhône, in the Rhône-Alpes region.

With a backdrop of stunning mountains, the fresh water beach in Aix-les-Bains is a must. The largest natural lake in France, Lake Bourget, is situated here (44 km square).

Or try taking a dip in Lake Geneva, when you visit the beautiful spa town, Thonon-les-Bains. It offers a stretch of coastline eight kilometres long.

Both of these towns are in different deparments of Rhone-Alps. Aix-les-Bains is situated in Savoie, and Thonon-les-Bains is in Haute-Savoie.

Tourist attractions and family entertainment

Rhône has a host of attractions to offer, all year round. Lyon, the second largest city in France, is brimming with things to see and do. The quaint cobbled old quarter, Vieux Lyon, has all the picturesque character of hundreds of years ago. Plan your trip carefully, and you may be lucky enough to see a concert in one of the old quarter's two Roman amphitheatres.

The city is vibrant, with a range of places of interest including museums, fantastic shopping, museums, cinema and markets. There is a different place of interest around every corner, and Lyon has justifiably been named a world heritage site.

Further afield in the Rhône-Alpes region are the Alps (including the highest peak in western Europe, Mont Blanc, at 4808m) and the Massif Central mountain ranges. Awe-inspiring views, beautiful walks and of course, snow sports like skiing and snow boarding keep visitors happy and healthy. See below for more details of Rhône-Alps ski resorts.

Head for the River Rhône itself, and enjoy a host of water-sports including sailing.

Food and drink

The Rhône area is renowned for a host of gastronomic delights.

If you have a taste for cheese, treat your taste buds with a sample of the soft and delicious St-Felicien or St-Marcellin. For those who love hearty meat dishes, andouillettes a la Lyonnaise is a must – a dish from Lyon of tripe sausages stuffed with veal and onion.

Raclette is also a traditional dish, and is served across the border in Switzerland. A warmed round of cheese is scraped on to plates and often served with potatoes and gherkins. Another cheese-based dish is the creamy layered potato slices, gratin dauphinois.

Wine tasting

The Rhône Valley comes into its own with wine production. Around 95% of the varieties produced in the area are red.

The most well known wine to come from the area is Côtes du Rhône. Often used as the 'vin de table' in eateries throughout France (and England), this is a very fruity, light and drinkable wine. The vast majority produced is red.

Other varieties of wine produced along the River Rhône include Chateauneuf du Pape, from the south of the area. The Rhône-Alps region also produces dry wines such as Vin de Savoie – red, white and rose. If you are interested in exploring the regions wines, contact Arblaster and Clarke, who provide wine tours of France.

Skiing and other sports

Rhone is just a stone's throw from one of the most popular ski regions in the world, and certainly in France. Head east from Rhône for resorts including Chamonix, Flanie, Portes du Soleil and La Clusaz.

The resorts provide for all levels of skiing, from beginners to experts. Snow boarding is also popular, and for true thrill seekers, there is a host of extreme winter sports. Try your hand at heli-skiing, cross country skiing, off-piste skiing, ice climbing, mountaineering. For more information, have a look here.

For those who prefer their feet on solid, snow-free ground, walking holidays around the area are available. Guided tours take in the region's highlights, and some include wine tours too. Have a look here for more details.

Ease of access

The easiest way of getting to Rhône is to fly. There are two airports around Lyon (Lyon-St Exupéry, 25km east of the capital of Rhône) and (Aeroport International Lyon-Bron, 10km south east of the city). Airlines including easyjet, British Airways and Air France link London to Lyon.

Value for money

With plenty of vineyards in the Rhône-Alps region, wine is very good value compared to UK prices. Unsurprisingly, popular ski resorts can be pricey. Eating out can also be expensive, but, generally speaking, the quality of food is excellent, particularly with the local specialities. Book early and you can get heavily discounted flights from the UK – have a look at easyjet.

Summary

Rhône has a lot to offer to its visitors. It is an ideal destination for a hot and relaxing summer holiday, with long walks and the beautiful city of Lyon to explore. If you have an energetic young family, head for the lakes, beaches and mountains of the Rhône-Alpes region. World famous culinary delights and an excellent local wine production are a major attraction. Easy, and usually not too expensive to get to, it is definitely worth taking a few days to explore Rhône.