Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes Region is found on the eastern side of France with Bourgogne (Burgundy) and Franche-Comté to the north and the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions to the south. Boarding on Switzerland and Italy.
The Region is composed of the following: Ain (01) with the Capital: Bourg-en-Bresse; Ardèche (07) with the Capital Privas; Drôme (26 with the Capita: Valence; Isère (38) with the capital Grenoble; Loire (42) with the Capita: Saint Etienne ; Rhône (69) with the Capital: Lyon; Savoie (73) with the Capital Chambéry; and Haute Savoie (74 with its Capital city of Annecy.
Annecy
For a number of years this was a regular stop on our travels from Paris into Italy. We enjoyed taking the route though the Alps and we always enjoyed our stay in Annecy. The river than runs through the town with restaurants and stores is all very pleasant. On some stays I have rented a bike and cycled along the trail that goes along the shore of the lake.
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| Palais de l'Isle | Château d'Annecy | |
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| Glenn & Karen Marcus in Annecy |
The Palais de l'Isle is often referred to as one of the most-photographed buildings in France. It is also called the "old prison" as for a while it was justed for just that. Originally built in the 12th century it has help a multitude of uses.
The Château d'Annecy (Annecy Castle) was at one time home of the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours, an offshoot of the House of Savoie during the 12th to 16th centuries. The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre built in the 16th century was the cathedral of François de Sales, and is home to a number of artworks and baroque pieces from the 19th century. The rue Sainte-Claire and its romantic arches date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
We have stayed both in the town, along the lake and at a hotel just outside of the town up in the hills. All have been good places each with either the benefit of being right in the city, or along the lake with is walking paths, or in the case of the Eden, up in the hills with a notable kitchen. Even after having out car broken into and luggage stolen we have returned but in the end, this is a very relaxing and scenic city.
Lyon
After so many years of racing between Paris and Nice, and Lyon being nothing more than an area of traffic congestion where there Autoroute goes under the city, we stopped in Lyon and only then realized what we have been missing. This is worth a visit.
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| Cathedral of Saint-Jean | ||
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There is a rich history to Lyon and the city is known for its food. There are two hills and two rivers that make up the geography of Lyon. The hill of Fourvière is to the west and it has the prominent 19th Century basilica at its top. To the north is the hill Croix Rousse. The Saône river runs through the town and the two hills and at the southern end of the city, the river joins up with the Rhône river.
We arrived in the afternoon. An incredible feat about flying Vancouver to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Paris and then picking up our car and booting it down to Lyon. There are plenty of good restaurants in the old centre(Ile-Saint-Jean) so your food choices are plenty. Leave the Place Bellecour and walk across the Bonapart Bridge opoosite the cathedral of St. Jean. In Old Lyon there are 15th Century and Renaissance buildings.
The Cathedral was the Seat of the Chief Bishop and it is decorated in Flamboyant Gothic style.