Rhône-Alpes
Rhône-Alpes is the second highest–ranked region in France with 5,9 million inhabitants and covering 44,000 km². It accounts for 10% of the national population in 8 administrative departments (or counties). This dimension places it amongst Europe’s ten largest regions.
Rhône-Alpes features a dense urban framework organised around a real network of cities. It is the second French periurban region. Lyon, the capital of Rhône-Alpes, has a population of 1,648,000 and is the second largest metropolitan district in France. In addition the region includes two urban centres with over 300,000 inhabitants: Grenoble and Saint-Etienne.
These major cities are surrounded by medium-sized town and cities, forming a particularly dynamic economic network with communication routes that enable rapid internal and external links.
This urban environment is balanced by world famous natural features (Mont-Blanc, Gorges de l’Ardèche, the Rhône Valley), and by many other exceptional natural areas including: 6 Regional Nature Parks, 2 National Parks, and 33 nature reserves, all of which make a huge contribution to the quality of life.