Auvergne-Rhône-Alps

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stretches across a large section of south-central and eastern France, reaching all the way to the borders of Switzerland and Italy. Its capital is Lyon, France’s third-largest city and one that I think is still surprisingly underrated by international visitors.

The region covers a huge variety of landscapes, from the volcanic mountains and countryside of Auvergne in the west to the French Alps in the east. The Alps are home to some of France’s most dramatic mountain scenery, including Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe.

This eastern part of the region is where you’ll find destinations like Annecy, Chamonix, and Chambéry, along with mountain villages, alpine lakes, and some of France’s best-known ski areas. In summer, the mountains are popular for hiking and other outdoor activities.