Things to do — Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Lyon is the urban essential. The Vieux Lyon (UNESCO) unfolds its traboules (covered passages crossing buildings), its bouchons (traditional Lyonnais restaurants), Saint-Jean Cathedral, astronomical clock. The Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica (19th century) dominates the city from the hill that prays. The presqu'île (between Rhône and Saône) concentrates 18th-century squares (Bellecour, Terreaux, Carnot), shopping streets, the Paul Bocuse Halles. The Croix-Rousse ("the hill that works") tells the story of silk (Maison des Canuts). Confluence is the modern district (Musée des Confluences spectacular architecture by Coop Himmelb(l)au). Don't miss dinner in a bouchon (Daniel et Denise, Le Garet, Café Comptoir Abel), lunch at the Paul-Bocuse Halles, a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts (France's 2nd collection after the Louvre).

Annecy and its lake are the other essential. The old town of Annecy, nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps", is one of France's most picturesque: Thiou canals, Palais de l'Isle (former 12th-century prison perched on an islet), Lovers' Bridge, Annecy Castle (museum). Lake Annecy is one of the purest Alpine lakes in the world (29 km², 14.6 km long): swimming at the Marquisats, Albigny, Saint-Jorioz beaches; boat trips (CGN cruises), lake tour by bike (40 km of secure cycle paths on the former railway). Nearby: Pont de l'Abîme (Faverges), Angon waterfall, Fier gorges.

Chamonix and Mont Blanc are pure high mountain. Aiguille du Midi cable car (3,842 m, one of the highest in the world, €76): exceptional 360° view, step into the void ("Pas dans le vide", suspended glass structure), access to Vallée Blanche for mountaineers. Montenvers train + Mer de Glace (€38): the Alps' 2nd largest glacier (7 km), ice cave carved each year. Brevent + Flégère (cable cars + gondola): exceptional panoramas of Mont Blanc. Lac Blanc hike (3h, 800 m elevation gain, exceptional view). Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB): 170 km circuit in 10-12 days, passing through France, Italy and Switzerland — one of the most beautiful treks in Europe.

Auvergne unfolds its volcanoes and thermal baths. The Chaîne des Puys (UNESCO since 2018): 80 volcanoes aligned over 45 km. Puy de Dôme (1,465 m, rack railway or 1h hike, exceptional 360° panorama). Vulcania (European Volcanism Park, 15 km away, ideal for families). Mont-Dore and Super-Besse: thermal and ski stations. Salers and Murol (classified Most Beautiful Villages). The Cantal (3rd largest volcano in Europe): Puy Mary (1,783 m, exceptional panorama), Jordanne valley, wild gorges. Vichy (UNESCO since 2021, Great Thermal Towns of Europe): Belle Époque spa town.

The Alpine resorts in summer as in winter. Val d'Isère + Tignes (Espace Killy, 300 km of pistes, Grande Motte glacier open in summer). Méribel + Courchevel + Val Thorens (3 Valleys, 600 km, the world's largest domain). Les Arcs + La Plagne (Paradiski, 425 km, futuristic). Megève (chic, traditional, 30 min from Geneva). Avoriaz + Châtel + Morzine (Portes du Soleil, 200 km French-Swiss). Family resorts: Les Saisies, La Plagne, Châtel. In summer: downhill mountain biking, hiking, paragliding, climbing.

The vineyard is worth the detour. Beaujolais (north of Lyon): 10 crus (Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Régnié, Morgon, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Chénas, Juliénas, Saint-Amour). Visit the villages of golden stones (Oingt, Bagnols, Charnay). Northern Côtes du Rhône (from Vienne to Valence): Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage — the world's greatest Syrah wines. Savoie Wines: Apremont, Mondeuse, Roussette de Savoie (to drink with Savoyard fondue).

Not to miss: Pérouges (Most Beautiful medieval Village, 30 min from Lyon), Vienne (Roman antique theatre, Jazz à Vienne Festival in July), Grenoble (capital of the Alps, Bastille cable car, Grenoble Museum), Chambéry (historic capital of Savoie, Dukes' Castle), Hautecombe Abbey (Tomb of the House of Savoie, on Lake Bourget).