【Introduction】There are countless enchanting combinations here. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is like a condensed version of the French Alps, featuring countless charming ski resorts and Michelin-starred restaurants, medieval mountain towns, and ancient castles—all waiting for you to experience. Every year, nearly a million Chinese tourists flock to France. For most people, France means Paris. But France is certainly more than just Paris. The reason France has become the world’s most popular tourist destination lies in its diversity: within a relatively small land area, France boasts an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, cuisines, and experiences.
Blue is an important color in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The snowy mountains are blue for half the day. The lakes are blue all day long. And the blue of the sky, set against the vibrant life on the ground in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, is the true backdrop of the region.
In the Ardèche Valley in southern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the gateway to Provence, irises always bloom in sunny weather. The mysterious blue of the irises painted by Van Gogh is close to the purple of the lavender that blooms here in summer.
The blue of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is also the pure, irresistible blue of the Majolica pottery. The ceramics here feature vivid, intense colors—an aesthetic that’s hard to understand if you haven’t been to southern France.
In the Alpine region, some lakes are meant to take your breath away—like Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), the largest lake in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes—while others are meant to be treasured in your memory.
Take Lake Annecy (Lac d’Annecy), for example, or Lake Bourget (Lac du Bourget). Next to these blue lakes are pearl-like cities. Annecy, for instance, consistently ranks among the most beautiful cities in France. The French say it is “the city of angels.”
Lake Annecy is quiet and picturesque, its water constantly shifting between shades of blue. The pristine waters of Lake Annecy flow through the old town along the Canal du Thiou. In summer, countless open-air cafés line the flower-filled shores. The distant Alps are reflected in the lake, the air is fresh, and the whole scene is relaxing. The canal water flows gently and is crystal clear. Welcome to the Venice of the Alps.