Rhône-Alpes hotels - Book hotels in France at great rates

The Region Rhône-Alpes is in the varied landscape of south eastern France with Lyons, the second largest city in France, as its focal point. The oldest church in Lyons is the church of St-Martin-d`Ainay dating from the 11th Century with mosaic floors and paintings done by Hippolyte Flandrin. The main street is the Rue de la République with the 325 meter long facade of the Hôtel-Dieu forming a visually striking landmark. The interior of the former hospital is now a museum about the city’s history and that of medicine. The north east tower of the Basilica of Fourvière affords a wonderful view over the city.

Grenoble once hosted the Winter Olympics, has a famous university and is the main town of the region to the east of Lyons. The Jardin de Ville was the once the garden of the castle of the Duke of Lesdiguiéres. One of the most important art collections in France can be admired in the Musée de Peinture et de Sculpture die Besichtigung. A popular trip is by cable car to the Fort de la Bastille for a good view over the city. The Route Napoleon starts on its long and winding journey to the Mediterranean cost at Cannes – a trip not to be missed but for which plenty of time has to be planned.

St-Etienne has an interesting museum of art and industry which has many exhibits on the manufacture of weapons, the textile industry and coal mining in the area. The region is quickly reached via the motorway A 7, Paris-Lyon-Marseille, or by fast TGV train from Paris or the south.

Population: 6 004 957 (2006)

Main towns: Lyon, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne