To the discovery of the department of the Rhone
It was on August 12, 1793 that the Rhône department was born from the separation in two parts of the department of Rhône-et-Loire. The Rhône department belongs to the Rhône-Alpes region and has the number 69 in the INSEE code. The department of Rhône integrates the former Lyonnais and Beaujolais.
It has an area of 2725.11 km² with a population estimated at nearly 447,409 inhabitants according to the latest estimate made in 2016.
Generally speaking, the Rhône department is a mountainous country, which is subdivided into two zones oriented from North to South. We find the first zone which is the center of the city’Lyon is a region that stretches along the Saône and Rhône rivers and takes in the entire eastern part of the department; fertile hillsides and slopes cover this area, which contains vineyards, fruit trees, and a variety of crops of all kinds. Also, there are meadows in the valleys. In the west, in the second zone, there is a more accentuated relief, which makes it the part that offers less fertility.
The Rhône department is made up of two districts, 219 municipalities and 12 inter-municipalities. Among the main towns are Lyon, Villeurbanne, Vénissieux, Bron, Meyzieu, Oullins, Saint-Genis-Laval, Ecully, Francheville, among others.
The department takes its name from the Rhône river. After the creation of the metropolis of Lyon, the river only passes through the territory of the department for about five kilometers, between Sérézin-du-Rhône and Ternay, downstream from the metropolis, the river also serves as a border with the department of the’Isère between Loire-sur-Rhône and Condrieu. The department of Rhône abounds in enormous interesting characteristics to discover.
Hence the purpose of this article which goes to the discovery of the department 69 of France.
The Rhône department
The Rhône department is made up of a set of interesting cities to visit. Each city, even if it is not very well known, has its own historical, cultural, architectural, among other assets that can seduce many tourists from around the world. Graceful sites, pleasant valleys, vast viewpoints abound in the Rhône department. A whole bunch of natural curiosities or other aspects to discover in the different cities that make up the department 69. An immense wealth carried by the most known city as well as the most historical of the department which is Lyon.
Let’s discover them more fully.
Cities to visit in the Rhône
The city of Lyon
It is the third largest city in France, a World Heritage Site’UNESCO for the important historical architecture it enjoys. During your trip to Lyon, you can discover another heritage, the Croix-Rousse district. You can also visit the Presqu’island of Lyon which combines beauty and prosperity.
The city of Évreux
Évreux is a French commune located in the Rhône department. It is located at the’west of the historic city of Lyon. This is another interesting city, especially as the home of the’one of the buildings of Le Corbusier.
You can visit the monastery of La Tourette open to visits where you can discover its famous style windows and the simple lines of the buildings it hosts.
The city of Anse
If you like peace and quiet and would like to visit a city in the Rhône department, you will find it here Rhône department, you can opt for Anse. It is located 29 kilometers north of the reference city of Lyon. In Gallo-Roman times, the town of Anse was an important city and today there are still buildings that bear witness to this glorious and highly important past.
The city of Belleville
It is a small city located in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside in the department 69. Like its name, the city does not lack charm which can attract some curious people. Indeed, Belleville is full of attractive monuments that are ideal to visit if you are there on vacation.
These are the well-preserved Hôtel-Dieu and the Notre-Dame de Belleville church.
The city of Villeurbanne
Another interesting city to visit is the city of Villeurbanne. A town in the center-east of France, located in the metropolis of Lyon. It is a prehistoric city that had to welcome Roman settlers from Lugdunum.
The city is famous for having hosted the Villeurbanne insurrection during the Second World War. You can visit the Gratte-ciel district, the ASVEL sports hall, the Astroballe.
The Rhone: department of wine
The Rhône department is located at the crossroads of the roads to the Mediterranean coast or to the Alps. This department illustrates, through its charming cities, the French art of living: French culture, French gastronomy, French wine making. Yes, if France is so well known and respected as a wine country, the Rhône department has something to do with it.
It is important to know that the viticulture of the department represents 45% of the farms in the Rhône.
The Rhône wine is produced in the departments of Rhône (69), Loire (42) and Lyon (45)’It is produced in the Ardèche (07), the Gard (30), the Drôme (26) and the Vaucluse (84). The Rhone vineyards are in the AOC-AOP category and cover 73,838 hectares. They are planted on limestone and granite soils. If the Rhone vineyard is so productive, it is because it takes advantage of’a temperate-Mediterranean climate with mountain and continental influences.
In 2008 alone, nearly 2,833,154 hectoliters of wine were harvested in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. At the level of the department 69, it is even one of the leading agricultural activities of the department which has three wine production areas in AOC that are Beaujolais, Coteaux du Lyonnais, Côte Rôtie and Condrieu. The Beaujolais is located between the Saône and the Massif Central.
A rich variety of wines is offered by this vineyard, from the black gamay to the white juice, from the finest to the most aromatic. The Coteaux du Lyonnais are located further south. It is an AOC whose production is mainly made from gamay. As for the Côte Rôtie and Condrieu, it is located in the Rhone valley.
You can taste dry white wine, red wine, but also rosé wine.
Green spaces to discover in the Rhône
The Rhône department There are also many green spaces that you can discover when you are in one of its communes. You can for example visit the Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon. It is a park of exceptional beauty with sublime botanical gardens, breathtaking rose gardens, a magnificent small zoo.
You can also discover a sanctuary dedicated to turtles, a deer enclosure. Your children will all be happy to meet in one of the playgrounds without forgetting the activities at the lake, the small cafe, among others. The Parc de la Tête d’Or has everything to please.
Another green space which is largely worth a detour, it is the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage in Vaulx en Vélin. If you are in family or in couple, you will be able to spend beautiful hours of navigation in particular at the level of the inflatable aquatic park. You will spend beautiful moments there and you will have many anecdotes to tell around you. You can walk your dogs, ride your bike, walk in a group or even fish.
You can also discover at the level of the Rhone, the medieval village Salva Terra. Located in the Monts du Lyonnais, this park offers visitors the opportunity to experience an extraordinary day in the Middle Ages. You will be able to meet beautiful characters who will make you live unique moments of entertainment.
Still in terms of green spaces to discover in the Rhone, you will certainly not miss the Garden of the Five Senses at the Village d’Ivoire. The garden borders Lake Geneva and offers a magnificent warm and romantic atmosphere to visitors, strollers, among others. Another ideal park for walking is the Domaine de Lacroix-Laval, located in Marcy-L’étoile.
As other interesting green spaces to discover in the Rhône department, we can add the Domaine de Vizille, the Parc de Buisson Rond, the Jardins de l’Eau du Pré Curieux, the Parc naturel régional du Pila, among others.