Things to do in Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: The Best Sights & Landmarks

December 22, 2021 Natalie Tallman

From the rare truffles of the Drôme to the vineyards of Beaujolais, the Rhone-Alps reveal the treasures of French cuisine. Gastronomic pleasures are complemented by the lush countryside, filled with fields of lavender. UNESCO-designated Lyon has first-century Roman ruins and the 19th-century Basilica of Fourvière. Forts and castles dot the landscape around Grenoble. Work off excess calories on the slopes of Chamonix and Megève. Visit during fall to take advantage of the grape harvest and many festivals.
Restaurants in Rhone-Alpes

1. Aiguille Rouge

73700 Les Arcs, Bourg Saint Maurice France +33 4 79 04 24 00 http://lesarcs.com/webcams
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 495 reviews

Aiguille Rouge

Reviewed By eaalp

Impressive views . Challenging black run, enjoyed !!! Fantastic ski trip from 3200 mm till villaroger village 1200m.

2. Vieux Lyon

69005 Lyon France http://www.visiterlyon.com
Excellent
66%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,612 reviews

Vieux Lyon

Lyon's historic section is full of old buildings and a traditional old French atmosphere.

Reviewed By gavinb213

The best part of Lyon: fascinating and friendly. Wander around: get lost among the charming streets, stop for a drink or food at one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants.

3. Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere

8 Place de Fourviere, 69005 Lyon France +33 4 78 25 13 01 [email protected] http://www.fourviere.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,335 reviews

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere

Standing atop Fourvière Hill, this basilica, constructed in the late 19th century, has an ornate interior to contrast its grave exterior.

Reviewed By Moko2000

This is a very beautiful church and the mosaics and ceiling are amazing and the view over Lyon is amazing as well. You can either take the tram or walk up. Its very easy to reach from old town

4. Colline de Fourviere

Lyon France
Excellent
63%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,672 reviews

Colline de Fourviere

This hill was the location of Lyon's original Roman settlement and still is home to ancient ruins from that era.

Reviewed By Andrew081 - St. Albans, United Kingdom

Fourviere Hill famous for its firework display and processions during the festival of light (every December) is home to Tour Métallique de Fourvière (mini Eiffel tower), the ornate Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière (Cathedral) and the amazing remains of the Théâtre Gallo Romain (Roman Theatre) where open-air events are still held. Best reached by one of the two funicular railways from Vieux Lyon – railway cost is one standard metro/bus ticket (€1.90).

5. Aiguille du Midi

100 Place de l Aiguille du Midi Mont Blanc, 74400, Chamonix France https://www.montblancnaturalresort.com/fr/aiguille-du-midi
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,182 reviews

Aiguille du Midi

From Chamonix (1035m), fly over the forest to reach le Plan de l’Aiguille in 10 minutes (2317m). On your right, the Glacier des Bossons, in front of you the Mont-Blanc (4810m), on your left the Aiguille Verte, the Drus and the Aiguilles de Chamonix. Then take a second cable car which, in just 10 minutes takes you up to 3777m, over the seracs, the glacier des Pelerins and the hanging glaciers on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi. . From the top, a sightseeing panorama unique in the world. Experience a very high altitude.

Reviewed By Saif-UK - Worcester Park, United Kingdom

Amazing views ( must visit ) Lots of areas to visit Stepping in the glass box are amazing Staff are nice and friendly

6. Couvent de la Tourette

Route d' Eveux, 69210 Eveux France +33 4 72 19 10 90 [email protected] http://couventdelatourette.fr
Excellent
60%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Couvent de la Tourette

7. Le Chemin du Calvaire

Chemin du Calvaire Village, 74120 Megeve France +33 4 75 89 02 03 [email protected] http://www.aubenasvals.com
Excellent
54%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 245 reviews

Le Chemin du Calvaire

Reviewed By Whatelse5 - The Netherlands, null

Our friends made us discover this pretty hike, quite easy, we discovered Megéve without snow and it was very good and so beautiful

8. Brevent Cable Car

29 R Henriette d'Angeville, 74400, Chamonix France +33 4 50 53 22 75 [email protected] https://www.chamonix.com/telepherique-du-brevent,48-156996,en.html
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 994 reviews

Brevent Cable Car

ENJOY THE MOUNTAINS ! With its southern exposure, overlooking the Mont-Blanc Range, the Brévent is the ideal departure point for classic hikings and easy rambles to various mountain lakes (Lac du Brévent, Lac Cornu…)

Reviewed By Heslomonick - Birmingham, United Kingdom

We decided to go up the Brevent Cable car as it was another beautifully sunny day and we had a multi pass. We parked at the St Michael car park in Chamonix but then we had to hike up a very steep street in the blazing midday sun to get to the cable car station. And when we got there we found a perfectly good car park we could have used instead! Although I don’t know for sure whether there were any spaces when we arrived at 12pm. There were toilets at the cable car station, and some people were filling their water bottles from a tap. There was a little vendor selling coffee etc. There was also a cafe nearby. There were booths selling tickets (ie multi passes/single day passes et ) but the queues weren’t bad at all compared with Aguillie de midi. Probably about 10 minutes’ wait. The cable car went up the mountain very steeply and the boys (aged 5 and 7) loved it. There was virtually no queue despite it being such glorious weather (it was a Friday in August so maybe it is more busy on the weekends). It was hot inside the cable car though as it was such a warm day. There was just our family in the cable car although you could fit a few more people in if needed when it’s busy. When we got to the top the views, as usual when we go up cable cars in Chamonix, were spectacular and breathtaking. It was a good place to see paragliders as the paragliders jump off this part of the mountain and you can usually just see them as dots floating in the sky above Chamonix but up here on the mountain they were proper sized people zooming around in the air. It was great to watch. It was a bit cooler up the mountain but still roasting hot. We were just wearing shorts and t shirts with walking boots - other people seemed to have dressed for winter but had to peel all their layers off. We had a strange meal at the Comptoir snack bar where the children’s meals came with ice cream plus a ‘surprise’ according to the menu. But when I asked what the surprise was I was told that the ice cream was the surprise. This was indeed surprising as I had assumed from the menu that the ice cream was included for children anyway and they’d get a surprise as well. Fortunately my boys accepted the fact that the surprise was the ice cream they were already expecting. The whole menu was a bit confusing to be honest but I muddled through with the order somehow - you go inside to order and pay (they accepted credit cards) and then you get something which buzzed when your cooked food is ready so you go in to collect it from the serving counter. Then we had to go back later for the ice creams for the children - I showed my receipt to the man at the serving counter and he told me which ice creams I could pick out of the ice cream freezer. There were toilets at the cafe. Upstairs was a restaurant as opposed to a cafe. And nearby there was a bar which mostly sold drinks and sweet things. There’s also an odd looking diagonal lift which takes you a bit further up the mountain. I thought it was just for people wanting to go up to the restaurant there but in fact it just helps you get up a part of the hill and there’s another viewing platform and good places to see the paragliders jump off the mountain. Then we went up a different bigger cable car which takes up to 60 people in it and is manned. We had to show our multi pass again here. It was sort of more like going across from one mountain peak to another which was higher up rather than going straight up a mountainside. It was very hot in the cable car and standing room only. Again, there were amazing views but not that many railings and barriers so I had hard work trying to keep my 5 year old from peering over the edges whilst my husband took all his photos. Not my favourite bit of the day but it was very spectacular if you don’t mind precipitous edges. I think there may have been a bar/cafe here as well as the little outside vendor selling snacks - the tables and chairs were reserved for those customers. I didn’t see any toilets up at this point but there may have been some I didn’t see. Lots of people had climbing gear and when we went down in the cable car we could see them all climbing up and down the mountainside. Not my cup of tea but fun to see them. There was no queue at all for the cable car either at the top or the bottom. I think my husband wanted to hike down the mountain back to the car in Chamonix which would have been about 2 hours according to the sign, but I wasn’t sure how steep it would be for the children so I persuaded him we should get the cable car down so we could go swimming instead and cool down rather than hike in the blazing heat.

9. Port de Rives

Port de Rives, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains France http://www.ports-du-leman.ch/index.php
Excellent
38%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 261 reviews

Port de Rives

Reviewed By mariedesjardins - Prince George, Canada

I walked the boardwalk area near the marina one evening in July while in Thonon-les-Bains. The views of the lake and mountains are spectacular. There are many restaurants lining the waterfront. I also saw swans gliding along the lake near the walkway.

10. Theatre Romain (Antique)

7 rue du Cirque, 38200 Vienne France +33 4 74 85 39 23 http://www.jazzavienne.com
Excellent
50%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 338 reviews

Theatre Romain (Antique)

Roman theater which seats 13,000.

Reviewed By Michael_SF6310RH - Swansea, United Kingdom

We had a greatly enjoyable cruise on the river Rhone with Riviera Travel (30th May - 6th June 2019). We had to climb a steep hill to the Roman amphitheatre. The view was panoramic from the top but it was quite a climb to the highest seats and it was even more difficult to climb back down. My wife had to cling to the fencing and jump down from seat to seat as the steps were so steep. The theatre was built in the first century AD and was one of the largest in the ancient Roman world with a capacity of 11,000 spectators – remarkable.

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