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Boasting stunning landscapes and a superb range of facilities for both beginners and the more advanced winter sports fans, the Rhone Alpes is a premier European skiing destination. The area is not just famous for it’s world class skiing and snowboarding as the area also offers holidaymakers the opportunity to experience the charming rural areas, stunning sights and walking trails, not to mention the evening excitement of the resorts. Renting holiday accommodation in Rhone Alpes offers the ideal base to explore everything this stunning region has to offer.

For fans of French architecture, the region’s capital, Lyon, is well worth a visit. The Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Saint-Jean Cathedral are among the finest examples of building design in France, while the famous Saint-Jean and Croix-Rousse areas, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site are well worth visiting. Lyon is also a great place to unwind after a long day on the slopes as it offers a selection of quality bars and restaurants. Celebrations are held throughout the year, including the outstanding Festival of Light which is held every December.

For discovering the heritage and culture of Rhone-Alpes, few locations can offer as much as the village of Samoens, which has been designated as a national historic monument. ‘The Land of Art and History’ is a fitting title for an area boasting nine stunning fifteeth century chapels and one of the oldest settlements in the region. For a slice of tranquil atmosphere, head over to the famous Jaysinia Botanical Gardens, which makes the perfect day trip.

Also a must for any history aficionados is the wonderfully unspoilt medieval city of Annecy, which sits on the Thiou River. A walk through the charming streets is well reccommended and from here you can enjoy some of the area’s superb architecture, some of which dates from the 12th to the 16th Century. The Chateau d’Annecy and the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre are two of the area’s highlights, while the Palais d’Isle Jail is easily it’s most captivating.

Other impressive structural achievements can be found near the charming resort of Tignes, which was relocated from its original position further down the valley to make way for a new reservoir. Constructed here in 1952, and know as the Barrage de Tignes, the dam is well worth visiting, promising visitors countless photo opportunities of the dam which features a giant portait of Hercules. Considered to be the largest portrait in the world, the fresco was created by French artist, Jean-Marie Pierret (who was given a helping-hand from eight rock climbers).

The tallest mountain in the region and also the tallest in Western Europe, Mont Blanc deserves a mention and indeed a photograph or two when visiting the region. With over 700 kilometre of piste, the area offers a mix of skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities, while the stunning views are well worth the cable car ride alone. Also worth visiting is the d’Aguille du Midi, which is home to the world’s highest cable car. Don’t forget your camera as the cable car ride promises epic views over the Mont Blanc Massif.

For the perfect break in the Rhone Alpes, consider renting one of the quality Chamonix apartments and discover your own essential places to visit.