Rhône-Alpes
The Rhône-Alpes region, formerly a separate administrative region, merged with the Auvergne region, creating the new entity Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – one of the 13 regions redefined by the tterritorial reform on January 1, 2016.
This merger with Auvergne not only redefines the region’s administrative boundaries but also ushers in a new era of collaboration and collective development.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region comprises 8 departments:
Ain (01 – Bourg-en-Bresse), Ardèche (07 – Privas), Drôme (26 – Valence), Isère (38 – Grenoble), Loire (42 – Saint-Étienne), Rhône (69 – Lyon), Savoie (73 – Chambéry), Haute-Savoie (74 – Annecy), and the Lyon Metropolitan Area (69M).
Lyon, although it was separated from the Rhône department in 2015, remains its capital or prefecture.
Rhône-Alpes – Historical facts
With a history spanning millennia, the Rhône-Alpes region boasts several ancient cave paintings, such as those discovered in the 30,000 years old Chauvet Cave.
The Rhône River long served as a natural border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France. From Gallic tribes to the establishment of small kingdoms and principalities, the region has been shaped by centuries of historical upheaval.
The historical province of Vienne, known as Dauphiné, was part of the Holy Roman Empire and was integrated the Kingdom of France in 1349.
, the Duchy of Savoy, also a former state within the Holy Roman Empire, was annexed by France in 1860.
Bugey, one of the four natural regions of the Ain department, joined France in 1601 and today encompasses a large part of the department’s territory.
Similarly, Bresse, formerly part of Savoy from 1272 to 1601, was annexed to France during the same period.
The rise of the silk industry in the 16th century ushered in a period of prosperity, stimulating economic growth and cultural development in the region.
This legacy of innovation and industry has continued through the centuries, contributing to the dynamism of the Rhône-Alpes region and forging its identity as a vibrant commercial, cultural, and heritage hub.
Rhône-Alpes today
The Lyon-Grenoble-Saint-Étienne triangle is the economic hub of the Rhône-Alpes region. Furthermore, the Métropole du Sillon Alpin, which encompasses Geneva, Annecy, Chambéry, Grenoble, and Valence, turns the region into the sixth-largest economic region in Europe.
Lyon La Part-Dieu, in the dynamic 3rd arrondissement, has established itself as the second-largest business district in France after La Défense district in Paris. The Metropolis of Lyon obtained the status of a local authority in 2015.
Historically, the Rhône Valley has played a vital role in transportation, facilitating travel between northern and southern France thanks, of course, to the Rhône River, but also to its impressive road and high-speed rail network (TGV).
The region boasts a diverse landscape, which includes several natural parks, the Alps mountains, and the Mediterranean coastline, combined with a favourable climate, making it a prime location for tourism development.
To further enhance connectivity, the region is well served by the international airports of Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Étienne, guaranteeing easy access for national and international travellers.
Area: 43,698 km2
Population: 6,449.000 (01/01/2014)
Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Colline de la Croix Rousse by Pline CC BY-SA 3.0
