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The Rhone-Alpes region is the meeting point of northern and southern Europe, bordering on Switzerland and Italy. This region contains a wide variety of sites and a wealth of historical, geographical, cultural and economic treasures. The Rhone-Alpes region includes the Ain, Ardeche, Drome, Isere, Loire, Rhone, Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments. The capital of the RHONE-ALPS region is the gallo-romane city of Lyon. The mountains including Mont-Blanc (4807 meters), natural parks, rivers and mountains rivers, and famous vineyards.

La Drome department is in the old Dauphine Province, which includes the Drome, Isere and Haute-Alpes. The Savoie and Haute-Savoie and a part of Isere represent the Alps in the RHONE region.

This region is very diverse, and a comprehensive description of each region in which we have our tours is outlined below. Starting with the Drome Provencal, followed by Savoie, and then by Beaujolais you can get a good idea about each of these departments and what there is to see, taste, and experience before your visit!

Drome Provencal (bordering Provence)

Some history...

The Dauphine region and former frontier province in southeastern France, was divided in 1790 after the French Revolution into the departments of Drome, Isere, and Hautes-Alpes. This territory, after the fall of the Roman Empire, constituted the largest part of the first kingdom of Burgundy. Later on, it progressively became in the possession of the Carolingian kings, then the second Burgundian kingdom of Arles and finally became a possession of the counts of Vienne, whose title, Dauphin, gave the region name. The last Dauphin of Vienne sold the region to France in 1349.

What about La Drome...?

Between the Vercors mountains to Provence, the Drome is above all about diversity, the product of a mingling of Alpine and Mediterranean influences. Pine woods share the landscape with lavender fields and olive groves, here where the Alps and Provence meet. Yet the Drome possesses authentic features of its own, reflected in both its man made and natural environment, its crafts and its agricultural activities. On the eastern limits of the Drome lie the first bastions of the Alps. This is the Vercors, a densely forested region. Then there is the Diois, whose wealth lies on the Clairette de Die vineyards. Further south, the "Baronnies", home to limes, olive groves, lavender... To the west lies the Rhone Valley, closely planted with orchards and vineyards.

Specialty of the Drome:

Olive oil from Nyons is the only olive to be accorded "Appellation d'Origine Controlee" (AOC) White garlic ( Sturdy and fleshy) Truffles ...the black diamond Aromatic, medicinal plants and herbs ( thyme, mint, sage, fennel, rosemary and savory) Cheese specialty of the Drome: The Picodon ...is a goat cheese and is amongst the very few cheeses to be granted and "appellation d'origine controlee."

Savoie

Some history…

Savoie has a rich history. The first people lived in this region is dated from 12000 BC. They are hunters and they are the first leaving some traces in Savoie. By 900 BC, different tribes occupied the region. They were mainly agriculture based. Between 121 and 61 BC, the Romans took the region. After a long period of occupation, the tribes of Allobroges decided to be a part of the Roman Empire. The Romans improved the road system and develop the city of Geneva, Annecy. Savoie had always been the temptation of its powerful neighbor. This region had been occupied five times. In 1815, the people of Savoie "les Savoyards" find back their ancestral monarchy. Under the influence of the revolutions of 1848, Savoie decide to be unified with Italy against Austria with heavy military contributions. Later on, Savoie will feel misled by Italy and "les Savoyards" will turn back to France.

The Nature in Savoie
The Vanoise National Park is of the seven existing French national parks and La Vanoise was created first. From a superficie of 53 000 hectares, this park is entirely comprised in the department of the Savoie, between the upper valleys of the Tarentaise (isere) and Maurienne, and encompasses high mountains reaching over 3 000 m with many glaciers. Sheltered from the oceanic rains by the Pre-Alps , the massif is endowed with a relatively dry and sunny climate. Limestone, gypsum, sandstone, quartzite, schists,…lies within a complex geological structure. The range in altitude and the position of the Park contribute to its remarkable geological , floral and faunal richness. For more information about the Maurienne region and the possibilities for hiking and cycling see these links:
http://savoie-maurienne.latitude-gallimard.com/savoie-maurienne-article0486.html
And further info at http://savoie-maurienne.latitude-gallimard.com

The region of the Haute-Savoie is situated from the Mont-Blanc (4 807m) to the Lac of Annecy, from the meridional side of the Lac Leman to the Alpages of Aramis (pre-alps), from the forest of the Bauges to the vineyards of Cotes du Rhone. La Haute-Savoie offer a palette of different countryside not commun in France.

Architecture in Savoie
Fortifications marked a page of history in the Park. Their edification started in 1815 at the end of the napoleonian wars and took place in three periods corresponding to the great franco-italian tensions.

In alpine villages, the houses are typical of the region. The roof of the house are made of rock called "lauzes" used as an isolant for the snow and cold. The Baroque architecture is present in Savoie as well as Haute-

Savoie. Baroque churches are numerous in this region and they are unique in France.

What good "stuff' can you eat?

The Valrhona chocolate (created in 1922)
Nougat de Montelimar( White nougat made with sugar, honey, white of egg, vanilla, almonds, pistachio nuts or crystallized fruit) Can not resist it...!!!
The Pogne de Romans (Large brioche made with eggs and flavored with orange flower and rum. The origins of the Pogne lie in the Middle Ages!!!
La caillette de Chabeuil (an excellent local little pate made of liver and pork meat flavored with herbs)
And so many other specialties...

This mountain country offer a rich and generous cuisine. Patatoes, lard and dry fruits are very much used in recipes. La tartiflette is the regional meal of Savoie. It is a gratin composed of patatoes and lard baked in the regional cheese Roblochon. Raclette ( melted cheese, pork meats and potatoes) Fondue Sayoyarde (melted cheese)

And what about the Savoyard Specialities?

Cheese: Emmental, Roblochon, Tomme de Savoie, Chevrotin, and Beaufort.

Charcuterie: Dry sausage, and herbs sausage made with pork meat

Sweets: Les Cloches d'Annecy ( chocolate covered of praline).

What about a drink?

The vineyards of the Drome include both "appellation d'origine controlee" wines and "vins de pays".( See in Loire Valley region for more information about the different qualities of wine) The Drome enjoys sunshine and rainfall figures which are near-perfect for wine production. Regional Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Village, Coteaux du Tricastin, Chatillon en Diois, Cremant de Die, Clairette de Die, Coteaux de Die, Hermitage...

Vin de pays: Collines Rhodaniennes, Comte de Grignan, Valdaine or the Coteau des Baronnies.

Spirits and liqueurs Aperitifs: Pear brandy, walnuts liqueur...The quality of these liqueurs is exceptional!

The region of Savoie offers many minerals water such as Evian, Thonon.

The "Digestive liquor" of the Savoie: the Genepi .

Others famous liquors: Marc de Savoie (brandy) and Brulot Savoyard.

And what about wine…?
The Savoyard vineyard area is strictly limited to 1,700 hectares and represents 22 vintage wines and 4 AOC areas. The white wine of Savoie is dry or fruity and is best served cold and is excellent as an aperitif. It goes very well with fish dishes, raclettes (grated melted cheese) and fondues. The most famous vintages are: Abymes, Apremont, Chautagne, Chignin, Cruet, Jongieux, Montmelian, and Saint-Geoire-Prieure.

The red or rose wine are light wines. The Savoie Gamay is found in the well-exposed vineyards as Chautagne and Jongieux.

REGION OF BEAUJOLAIS
What about wine…?

The Beaujolais is a term to define the area of 9,500 hectares and yields fruity and light wines which are to be drunk when very young. This section is named by the "Beaujolais Nouveau" production.

The Gamay cepage (type of vine) allows fast vinification. The wines are bright red in color and have a pronounced taste of red fruit. The Beaujolais Villages represent the vineyards area of the center of the region. This area is composed 39 villages and the Beaujolais Nouveau wine is produced in an area of 6,500 hectares. "The word "Villages" is a pointer to the diversity of the vineyards and the wines, and in general this section of the Beaujolais may be said to mark the transition between the new or first wines, consumed as early as November, and those which may be left to mature"(Rhone-Alps Tourism).

The Beaujolais Nouveau represents 60 % of total production.

The Beaujolais Villages represents 30% of total production.

Great wines:

Brouilly, Chenas , Chiroubles, Cote-de-Brouilly, Fleury, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnie, Saint-Amour.