Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Region · 🇫🇷 France

Population 8,205,557

Area 70,736 km²

Time zone Europe/Paris

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Featured Lists

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Essentials

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from the volcanic Massif Central to the high Alpine passes of Galibier and Iseran. This collection highlights the region's historical depth, featuring Lyon's UNESCO-listed Renaissance district and Roman theatre alongside the prehistoric art of Chauvet Cave. Architectural landmarks include Gustave Eiffel’s Garabit Viaduct and the medieval Palais de l’Isle in Annecy, while natural formations like the limestone Pont d’Arc and the subterranean chambers of Aven d’Orgnac define the rugged southern terrain.

15 places

VIGUIÉ Victoria / CC-BY-SA

Editor's Choice

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes offers a diverse range of cultural and natural landmarks, from the urban art of Lyon to the high-altitude landscapes of the Alps. This selection highlights the region's industrial heritage at the Maison des Canuts silk museum and the cinematic legacy of the Lumière brothers. Visitors can explore one of Europe’s largest trompe-l'œil murals, Le Mur des Canuts, or visit the 19th-century Fort de Feyzin. Natural highlights include the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier on the Mont Blanc massif, and the recreational waters of Lac des Sapins.

6 places

GIRAUD Patrick / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Historical Sites

This collection highlights the diverse historical legacy of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It includes the UNESCO-listed Chauvet Cave, home to some of the world's oldest figurative cave paintings in the Ardèche. Engineering feats are represented by the Garabit viaduct, a prominent railway arch bridge spanning the Truyère. In Lyon, the list features the ancient Roman Theatre of Fourvière and the Renaissance architecture of Vieux Lyon. The historic Montée de la Grande Côte street connects the city's silk-weaving history with its UNESCO heritage status.

5 places

Historic Castles & Fortresses

This collection showcases the architectural evolution of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, from the medieval stronghold of the Dukes of Savoy in Chambéry to the Renaissance elegance of the Castle of Grignan. It includes unique structures like the Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century fortified house built on a rocky island in Annecy, and the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, which has remained in the same family for a millennium. These sites represent strategic military defenses and ducal residences overlooking the region's lakes and river valleys.

8 places

Religious Heritage

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region preserves a diverse collection of religious sites, from the black volcanic stone of the Gothic Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral to the Romanesque masterworks of Le Puy-en-Velay, a historic starting point for the Camino de Santiago. Highlights include the 19th-century mosaics of Fourvière in Lyon, Le Corbusier’s modernist Saint-Pierre church in Firminy, and the flamboyant Gothic Royal Monastery of Brou. These sites showcase architectural evolution across centuries, featuring the distinctive Auvergne Romanesque style in Brioude and Issoire.

20 places

Natural Wonders

This collection spans the diverse geological history of southeastern France, from the prehistoric figurative drawings of the UNESCO-listed Chauvet Cave to the soaring 4,810-meter summit of Mont Blanc. The selection features iconic Alpine passes like the Col de l'Iseran—the highest paved road in the Alps—and the volcanic phonolite peak of Mont Gerbier de Jonc. Explore the massive Mer de Glace glacier, the limestone escarpment of the Rock of Solutré, and the varied landscapes of the Massif Central and the Dauphiné Alps.

16 places

Pymouss / CC BY-SA 4.0

Ancient Archaeological Sites

This collection showcases the diverse archaeological heritage of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, spanning from prehistoric megaliths to Roman landmarks. Highlights include the stone circle at the Little St Bernard Pass and the burial mounds of Tumuli de La Chau. In Lyon, the list features the grand Theatre of Fourvière and the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, alongside the early Christian remains of the Saint-Laurent de Choulans basilica and the 13th-century Carthusian ruins in the Sioule valley.

7 places

Ramon Perez / CC-BY-SA

Regional Cuisine Highlights

This collection highlights the gastronomic heritage of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, featuring legendary three-Michelin-starred institutions like Maison Pic and Troisgros. Explore historic food hubs including Grenoble’s 19th-century Halle Sainte-Claire and the confectionery traditions of Les Bonbons de Moinet. From the 13th-century wine cellars of Château de Juliénas to artisanal cheese at Ferme de l'Amélie and rustic Savoyard dining in Chamonix, these locations represent the region’s diverse culinary landscape, spanning fine dining, historic markets, and local craft producers.

15 places

Ludovic Courtès / GFDL

Architectural Highlights

This collection showcases the architectural evolution of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It features Romanesque masterpieces like the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port and the black lava-stone Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral. Engineering feats include Gustave Eiffel’s iron Garabit Viaduct and the medieval Nyons Bridge. The list also highlights Le Corbusier’s modernist contributions in Firminy, such as the concrete Église Saint-Pierre, alongside Lyon’s grand 19th-century landmarks like the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Opéra Nouvel.

20 places