The region of Rhone-Alpes, named after the Rhone River which runs through it and the Alpes mountain range on its eastern border with Italy and Switzerland, is located in the east of France. The western part of the region contains the start of the Masif Central mountain range and Lake Geneva is on the east. Rhone-Alpes is particularly scenic with dense forests, huge lakes, deep gorges and picturesque mountains.

Three of France's major cities are located in Rhone-Alpes forming the economic core of the region. Collectively the cities of Lyon, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne are home to approximately 2.6 million inhabitants. Lyon, the regions' capital, is considered the gastronomic capital of France and its specialties' include Lyon sausage, salami, tripe and quenelles. The city was built on the west bank of the Saone River and attracts visitors and property buyers with its theatres, museums, architecture and large gardens.