With its mountains, volcanoes, lakes and vast grassy slopes, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a perfect blend of cities and natural spaces. That is what makes its landscapes so beautiful and well worth discovering or rediscovering in photo form!
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While the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regionis home to the roof of Europe, it is also a must-see French region known for its beautiful, varied landscapes, which are well worth taking a photo or two!
7 photos of must-see landscapes in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes:
Le Puy en Velay
Southeast of the Massif Central, you can find the historic capital of Velay: Le Puy en Velay. It is famous as being the starting point for one of the 4 Ways of Saint James in France. It is in a mountainous area surrounded by volcanic plateaus, which makes for a very unique setting. Yes, indeed, behind these orange roofs is a rocky outcropping known as the Rocher Corneille, which is topped by a statue of Notre-Dame de France. It’s a bit like France’s version of Sugarloaf Mountain!
At the foot of the statue is another mountain, Mont Anis, with a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary built on top. Legend has it that a widowed noblewoman asked Mary to put a stop to the recurring fevers she suffered from. The Virgin told her that if she travelled to Mont Anis and prostrated herself on the sacred stone, she would be cured. It seems to have worked, marking the first in a long line of miracles.
Getting there
Take a train to Le Puy-en-Velay, that’s it!
The best place for a photo
For a 360° view of Le Puy en Velay and the surrounding area, head to the top of the statue of Notre-Dame de France. For an image that really represents the city well, make sure the statue appears on the edge of your photo!
The Val d’Allier Nature Reserve
The Val d’Allier Nature Reserve, between Vichy and Moulins, is a magnificent natural area with 1450 hectares of remarkable flora and fauna. It is home to a varied landscape including beaches, prairies, moors and forests, criss-crossed by the Allier river.
This natural zone managed partly by the Bird Protection League is home to many birds. As you walk through the nature reserve, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of kingfishers, little egrets, least terns or typical shrikes. Some hundred local nesting birds and 150 migratory species pass through here each year.
Getting there
Take the train to Moulins, then rent a car with our rental service, Ma location Avis.
The best place for a photo
On the edge of the Allier for a lovely combination of river and forest.
The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park
The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park covers nearly 4506 square kilometers. This park is home to one stunning summit after another!
We especially love Le Puy Mary, a listed Grand Site de France. It is also the most commonly visited in Auvergne and with good reason: from the top, you have one of the most beautiful panoramic views in France — you can see all the way to Mont-Blanc!
Getting there
Take a train to Clermont-Ferrand, then rent a hybrid car (subject to availability) with AVIS® or Budget®. You can also get a discount on your rental with the Ma Location AVIS service.
The best place for a photo
The top of Le Puy Mary after a good hour’s walk!
Pont d’Arc in the Gorges of the Ardèche
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Gorges of the Ardèche while discussing the most beautiful natural sites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes! This “national nature reserve” attracts both locals and tourists alike, who come to admire this natural spectacle.
The gorges were carved by tumultuous waters some 36,000 years ago, giving the rocks strange shapes. The most spectacular is without a doubt the Pont d’Arc. This rocky arch some 54 meters high is at least 500,000 years old!
Getting there
Take the train to Montélimar, then rent a car with our Ma location Avis or Avis Budget service.
The best place for a photo
Below the bridge with the arch and the Ardèche in the background. Or from the Ardèche itself in a rented canoe.
Mont Aiguille in the Vercors
Between the Isère and the Drôme lies the Vercors mountain range. This regional nature park may be considered as part of the Prealps, but it nonetheless reaches an impressive 2341 meters of elevation.. With its cliffs, ridges, and gorges, you will encounter a wide variety of landscapes!
But the most surprising place is undoubtedly Mont Aiguille. The tooth-shaped mountain with a platform at the top has captivated the minds of many people who see the flat summit as a sort of paradise preserved from the secular world below.
Getting there
Take the train to Valence, then rent a car with our Ma location Avis or Avis Budget service.
The best place for a photo
The best place to observe Mont Aiguille is right in front of it from the foot of the Aiguille. This offers the best view of the mountain.
Lake Annecy
Another wonder of the Alps is Annecy, with its incredible lake! Why does the landscape seem so pure here? Undoubtedly because for more than 40 years, the guiding principles of the region have been “respect and protection”. They protect the natural flora and fauna, thereby permitting nature to flourish under the astounded eyes of the visitors.
The lake culminates at 440 meters of elevation, but for a better view of it, you must climb! The easily accessible Col de la Forcalz is also a jumping-off point for hang gliders. Those who prefer to walk and be rewarded for their efforts should head to Mont Veyrier, which offers an unobstructed view of the lake from one side and Mont-Blanc on the other!
Getting there
Take a train to Annecy! That’s all there is to it.
The best place for a photo
From the Col de la Forcalz at sunset. It’s simply stunning.
The Ecrins National Park
Another mountain range worth the detour, the Ecrins, is considered to be one of the most beautiful nature parks in France! The Ecrins National Park, between the northern and southern Alps, is home to an astounding variety of landscapes, with summits 4100 meters high and some 10,000 hectares of glaciers.
Here, you can see roe deer, eagles, chamois and even marmots flourishing in their natural environments: a spectacle that very few manage to immortalise with their cameras.
>> Discover all the national parks accessible by train in France
Getting there
Take the train to Valence, then rent a car with our Ma location Avis or Avis Budget service.
The best place for a photo
From the shore of one of the lakes, either the Lac de l’Ascension or the Lac de la Roche-de-Rame, with a clear sky and calm waters for a mirror effect between the landscape and its reflection in the water.