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Main news and info for 2016in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

Copenhagen – March 2016

Press contact:Isabelle Faure – [email protected]

Website: www.inrhonealpes.comFor news, useful contacts and online photo library

Main news and info on Auvergne Rhône-Alpes for 2016 - www.inrhonealpes.com

http://www.inrhonealpes.com/


mailto:[email protected]

Contents

MAP AND LOCATION Page 3

1. A MAJOR DESTINATION IN FRANCE Page 4

Gastronomy and wine Page 4Nature and well-being Page 4Heritage Page 5Main festivals Page 5The Northern Alps Page 5The Volcanoes of Auvergne Page 6

2. ACCESS Page 7

3. NEWS ON WINE TOURISM AND GASTRONOMY Page 8

Côtes du Rhône Vineyard Page 8Beaujolais Vineyard Page 9Savoie Vineyard Page 9Some tasty news Page 9To link gastronomy and wellbeing Page 11

4. NEWS ON CULTURE AND CITY BREAKS Page 12

Big exhibits Page 12Saint Etienne Page 13Lyon, a new hotel opening Page 13

5. NEWS ON MOUNTAINS Page 14

New accommodation in the mountains Page 14Mille8 in Les Arcs Page 14Aquamotion in Courchevel Page 14

6. VIARHÔNA, THE NEW CYCLING DESTINATION Page 16



MAP AND LOCATION

A short video about Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region… http://voyage.rendez-vous.tv//Rendez-vous-en-Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.html



http://voyage.rendez-vous.tv//Rendez-vous-en-Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.html

1. A MAJOR DESTINATION IN FRANCE

• 2nd tourist destination in France with 19.7 billion € of French and foreign tourist consumption (8% of GDP)

• 180 million overnight stays per year for the French & foreign tourists in all kinds of accommodation

• 2nd region for the number of overnight stays in hotels in France (22 millions)

• Ranked n°1 for hotel capacity in France

• 168,000 direct employments

• 1.6 billion € of tourism investment

GASTRONOMY AND WINE

Alpine meadows, orchards and vineyards all combine to create France’s most richly stocked pantry. The region’s long list of superior Protected designation of origin ((PDO) products includes Bresse chicken, Ardèche chestnuts, Grenoble walnuts, Nyons olives, Puy lentils, Fin Gras du Mézenc beef, and above all the most extensive selection of cheeses, including Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, Fourme d’Ambert, Salers, Beaufort, Abondance, Saint-Marcellin and Picodon, to name but a few... This produce of excellence is just one reason why Lyon has a reputation for gastronomy and why so many top Michelin-starred chefs are based in the region, including Paul Bocuse, Georges Blanc, Régis and Jacques Marcon, Anne Sophie Pic, Emmanuel Renaut and Michel Troisgros.

And to accompany these delights, foodies are spoilt for choice among the wines of Beaujolais, Côtes d’Auvergne, Côtes du Rhône, Saint-Pourçain and the wines of Savoie, along with the mineral waters of Vichy, Badoit, Châteldon, Volvic and Evian.

The best way to enjoy these flavoursome treats is to follow the Route des Fromages in Auvergne, the Routes de Vin, or indulge in a gastronomic break in destinations defined by their fresh produce and fine wines.

NATURE AND WELL-BEING

Two National Parks, nine regional nature parks, the three large Alpine lakes, plus volcanic lakes, the stately Rhône and a host of other rivers running through hugely differing landscapes… From Mont Blanc (4,810 m), the roof of the Alps, to the craters of Chaîne des Puys, with lavender fields and three-hundred-year-old oak forests in between, before you lies a vast and wondrous playground for endless outdoor activities: hiking trails for energetic walkers and gentle footpaths for family exploring, cycling routes, breathtaking locations where you can dive into the water or soar into the air…

And to recharge your batteries, the region’s 25 spa towns, sitting on the shore of a lake or nestling on a mountainside, are havens of peace and quiet with a stunning architectural heritage ripe for



exploring; and not forgetting indulgent spa treatments, leaving you full of energy sourced from nature’s bounty.

HERITAGE

For heritage enthusiasts, the region opens out like a living history book, from the millennia-old cave paintings in the Caverne du Pont d’Arc to the futuristic Musée des Confluences in Lyon, along with 24 villages officially recognised as ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’ and Gallo-Roman sites such as Vienne Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Gergovie, the site of Vercingetorix’s victory over Julius Caesar. History is everywhere, in archaeological remains, Baroque and Romanesque churches, the Cluniac sites (a Council of Europe Major Cultural Route) and countless castles and châteaux, from the start of the rural St James’s Way pilgrimage route in Le Puy-en-Velay to the international metropolis of Lyon.

Other heritage treasures lie in the region’s outstanding arts and crafts and industrial traditions, in industries as varied as decorative knives, lace-making and the pneumatic tyre at L’Aventure Michelin, and also in its cultural history, with the Lumière brothers’ invention of cinematography and the advent of design.

MAIN FESTIVALS

- January – Biennale Internationale du Goût – Lyon (gastronomy)- Early February - International Short Film Festival – Clermont-Ferrand – (film)- March / April - Design Biennale – Saint-Etienne - May - Les Nuits Sonores – Lyon - (electro music)- June to September - Horizons – Arts Nature en Sancy – Sancy Massif – (land art)- July - Jazz à Vienne – Vienne (jazz festival)- August - Fête du Lac – Annecy – (sound and light show)- Late August - Ironman 70.3 in Vichy – (triathlon)- Late August - International Street Theatre Festival – Aurillac – (theatre)- Late August - Festival de La Chaise-Dieu – La Chaise-Dieu – (classical and religious music)- September - Evian Championship – Evian les Bains – (golf)- September to December - The Lyon Biennales – Lyon – (alternating between dance and

contemporary art in even and odd-numbered years).- December - Fête des Lumières – Lyon – (sound and light show)- December - Critérium de la Première Neige – Val d’Isère and Alpine Ski World Cup races

( Courchevel, Méribel)

THE NORTHERN ALPS

The world’s largest ski area, the Northern Alps are the ultimate winter sports region, having held the Winter Olympics on three occasions, in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992). Suitable for every style, every preference and every discipline, the Alpine ski resorts are the perfect destination for snowsports enthusiasts into everything from gentle pottering to extreme skiing.

In all, there are 17 major ski areas here, such as the Portes du Soleil in Haute Savoie and Switzerland and the Three Valleys and Espace Killy in Savoie. And with around 180 resorts, everyone is sure to



find their ideal winter sports destination. Skiers who favour unspoilt countryside and authentic experiences will love the village resorts, such as Chamonix, Megève, Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz.

And for those looking for switched-on, all-out skiing spots, the list includes Courchevel, Val Thorens, Tignes, La Plagne, Val d’Isère, Les Arcs, Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes, which offer a winning combination of adrenaline, partying and wide open spaces.

THE VOLCANOES OF AUVERGNE

The Auvergne Regional Volcanoes Nature Park is a natural treasure trove unique in Europe. The Puy de Dôme, the most famous of these dormant giants, officially a ‘Grand site de France ®’, rises to 1,465 m, offering an unrivalled panorama of the 80 volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys.It’s accessible both winter and summer on ‘Le Panoramique des Dômes’ cog railway. And at 1,886 m, the Puy de Sancy is the highest point in the Massif Central. The Puy Mary, another ‘Grand Site de France ®’ (1,758 m) in the Cantal Massif, is also a fine example of France’s natural heritage.

Vulcania, the volcanism and earth sciences theme park, provides an entertaining insight into the geological phenomena that have shaped the planet, for novices and experts alike.

Unspoilt villages, flavoursome local cuisine, volcanic lakes, no end of outdoor activities… the Volcanoes of Auvergne are an inexhaustible source of exploration!



2. ACCESS

A new route from Copenhagen to Lyon will open on April 16th. This route will run 3 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) and is operated be easy jet.A wonderful occasion for Danish visitors to discover Lyon, the capital gastronomy of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and its great region: Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône vineyards, gastronomy, food markets and local products, lakes and mountains offer with Annecy and Bourget lakes, around 160 ski resorts and many outdoor and sport activities proposed, the ViaRhôna, the cycling lane along the Rhône Valley, great cities of art such as Grenoble, Chambéry, Valence… http://www.inrhonealpes.com/article/new-copenhagen-lyon-route-with-easy-jet-from-april-16th?

An easy-to-access region in the heart of Europe By plane:

Lyon Saint Exupéry international airport (www.lyon.aeroport.fr)The fourth-largest French airport and multimodal hub gives direct access to 115 destinations. With 63% international traffic, it is a major point of access in Europe. Accessible destinations include Germany, Spain, UK and Italy,… as well as the new long-haul line between Lyon and Dubai. New visitors centre: The Espace Welcome, a hub for multimedia information, is located between terminals 1 and 2 in the high-speed train station.

Geneva International Airport (www.gva.ch)Information for visitors to France can be found at the Visitor’s Centre

By train :International Transportation Service (Large-line Trains) :

Eurostar offers direct connections between London and Lyon four times a week Connection with Brussels : Thalys (as well as Thalys Soleil and Thalys Neige) and high-speed

train from Brussels to Lyon Connection with London: Eurostar London – Lyon high-speed train and “Eurostar des neiges” Connection with Barcelona: Train from Barcelona – Lyon Connections with Turin and Milan: high-speed train from Lyon

International routes: www.voyages-sncf.com

National Transportation Service: National lines run between Rhône-Alpes and a number of destinations in France, mostly by high-speed train, and especially with Paris.National routes: www.sncf.com.

Regional Transportation Service: Express regional trains cover the whole region, ensuring regular connections that run between mountain resorts and large cities in the region.Regional express trains: www.ter-sncf.com. By road:With more than 1,300 kilometers of highway, Rhône-Alpes is one of the best-serviced regions in France for roadways.More information on: www.via-michelin.com.



http://www.inrhonealpes.com/article/new-copenhagen-lyon-route-with-easy-jet-from-april-16th

3. NEWS ON WINE TOURISM AND GASTRONOMY

CÔTES DU RHÔNE VINEYARD

Terres de Syrah, the Cave de Tain wine tourism trademark.Located between Valence and Lyon at the foot of the Hermitage hillside, the Cave de Tain is now a wine tourism key player in the Northern Côtes du Rhône vineyards.The Cave de Tain proposes:

A wine shop opened all year long with an area for private tastings, The Cav’tour, guided tour of the wine cellar, history, vineyards and wine tasting for

beginners, connoisseurs and experts (guided tours in French, English and German), Guided tours in the vineyards with a wine expert and wine & chocolate workshops, The Fief de Gambert: located in the middle of the vineyards, a special area for seminars and

business events with a tasting room and a restaurant.The wine cellar in Tain l’Hermitage is the first producer of Syrah in Europe. It produces and sells 5 crus among the musts of the Northern Côtes du Rhône wines: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cornas, Saint-Péray as well as “vins de pays” on 1,000 ha of vines. www.cavedetain.comContact : Marie-Josée Faure – Delphine Ledent – Yohann [email protected]

The brand new wine cellar of Stéphane Ogier in AmpuisStéphane Ogier, a wine-maker and Côte Rôtie, Condrieu and St-Joseph producer, opened in January 2016 his brand new wine-cellar including a tasting room and a wine making area. A contemporary building created by the architect Guillaume Pilon, an interior design by Vavro and toilets decorated by Jaké, a street art artist from Lyon! Located just in front of the Côte Rôtie steep slopes in Ampuis, this exceptional wine-cellar could welcome visitors and wine-lovers. Project for 2017: 5 rooms in a new guest house on the wine estate, offering to every wine-lover a full wine tour package…www.stephaneogier.fr

The New Tourist Pavillon – VienneA vast ground level, accessible to all, bringing together a reception and information area, a lounge area to relax and discover the Wine Wall*, a boutique, bookshop and gifts, with a scenic area to help discover the region. Depending on the season, these modular areas will be transformed so that tourists passing through the region or regular visitors will discover different layouts and information aids throughout the year. Upstairs, overlooking the River Rhône, there will be an area entirely devoted to “gourmet expertise” with cooking lessons, taste workshops, an introduction to wine-tasting, etc., * The Wine Wall is an original work, ten meters high, which will eventually include every wine from the eight official AOP regions of the northern Côtes du Rhône area. A real interactive wine library!http://www.vienne-tourisme.com



http://www.vienne-tourisme.com/

http://www.stephaneogier.fr/


http://www.cavedetain.com/

BEAUJOLAIS VINEYARD

Domaine de Vavril: in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards, in Beaujeu, the historical capital of the Beaujolais, the Vavril wine-cellar proposes guided tours and wine tasting, a room for seminars (180 persons) and a « gîte” (holiday rental) with a swimming-pool. The wine cellar produces: Beaujolais-villages and crus (Côtes de Brouilly, Chiroubles et Régnié)Contact: Maud LAFARGE – Marketing [email protected] www.vavril.fr

Auberge de Clochemerle: this charming and family-run hotel is located in Vaux-en-Beaujolais, also called Clochemerle, named after a famous French book from Gilbert Chevalier “Clochemerle”. Romain Barthe, the chef has been awarded one star at the Michelin guide since 2012. He worked with several chefs, among them Michel Troisgros. He works only with season products… that you will enjoy in his Discovery Menu. His wife, Delphine, is the restaurant sommelier.Contact: Romain and Delphine [email protected] www.aubergedeclochemerle.fr

SAVOIE VINEYARD

An exceptional Château-Hotel : the Château des Comtes de Challes in Challes les EauxThis Château-Hotel is a charming 3-star hotel and a gastronomic restaurant located in the town of Challes les Eaux near Chambéry, in a XVth century château that once belonged to the Counts of Challes. The owner Florian Trèves, a wine-lover, proposes every day wine tastings in the wine cellar of the castle (550 references and 15 000 bottles).58 roomsLabelled as “Vignobles & Découvertes Coeur de Savoie”Contact: Florian Trèvesinfo@chateaudescomtesdechalles.comwww.chateaudescomtesdechalles.com

A charming hotel and restaurant in Savoie: Domaine Les Saint PèresIn the heart of the Savoie countryside close to Chambéry, the “Saint Pères” Domaine, this XIXth-century manor house is a unique and atypical place offering breathtaking views on the Bourget lake.The hotel proposes concierge services, beverages room-service, outdoor swimming-pool, heliport, a 350m2 room dedicated to events (weddings, seminars, family meetings…). Today, this former family residence of the Tournier family, owner of numerous hotels in Courchevel and St Tropez, has been transformed into a luxury hotel and restaurant.12 rooms - Reopening: May 2016.www.hotelsaintperes.com

SOME TASTY NEWS…

2016: Valrhona expands its Cité du Chocolat in Tain l’Hermitage !The Cité du Chocolat (chocolate museum) in Tain l’Hermitage (Drôme area) is the most visited place dedicated to chocolate in France. In June 2016, visitors will be able to discover a brand new area dedicated to chocolate work and craft as well as a lab pastry. We will also find an area to taste dishes



http://www.hotelsaintperes.com/

http://www.chateaudescomtesdechalles.com/


http://www.aubergedeclochemerle.fr/


http://www.vavril.fr/


made with chocolate prepared by Frédéric Bau, pastry chef and Manager of the Ecole du Grand Chocolat Valrhona (Grand Chocolat Valrhona school). Total area of the Cité du Chocolat: 2 000 m2.www.citeduchocolat.com/fr

Opening of Weiss workshops in automn 2016 in Saint-EtienneThe chocolate maker Weiss in Saint-Etienne (Loire area) is going to create its “museum”: Les Ateliers”. In autumn 2016, a museum of 500m2 will be built close to the Chocolaterie located in Saint-Etienne. One of the exhibition areas will tell you the story of chocolate and the great Maison Weiss in Saint-Etienne founded in 1882. The restaurant menu will be developed by the 2-star chef Christophe Roure, owner of the restaurant Le Neuvième Art in Lyon and native of the Loire area. Among the must-to-be-seen of the museum, you will discover a pedestrian bridge overhanging the lab and giving visitors a chance to discover the chocolate manufacture from above. Visitors will also be able to create their own chocolate bar!The Weiss chocolate factory is a part of the oldest ones in France. Since 1882 it has been creating chocolate from the cocoa bean to chocolate bars and sweets.www.chocolat-weiss.fr

The Manufacture Aix & Terra in Saulce sur Rhône (Drôme area)In the heart of its brand new Manufacture opened in September 2015 in Saulce sur Rhône in the Drôme area along the National Road 7, Aix&Terra offers now a restaurant to visitors.This brand from Provence proposes a home-made cuisine prepared with the recipes of the Manufacture and the local products.The Manufacture launches its new range “Julien Allano by Aix&Terra”, sauces and condiments developed by Julien Allano, the one-star chef of the restaurant Le Clair de la Plume in Grignan.The Manufacture created by the architect François Muracciole consists of three parts:

The workshop where visitors can discover the work of the jam makers, The restaurant: a friendly “table d’hôtes”, The Epicerie: the fine grocery where you can buy all Aix&Terra products (flower confit,

Provence honey, olive oil from Nyons with truffle, “aperitif” recipes, N7 packs…). The Epicerie also has a typical Provence style wine cellar with a selection of the best wines of the region: AOC Provence, Côtes du Rhône wines (crus) but also wines from the Drôme.

A gourmet must…http://www.aixetterra.com/en/

Auvergne Rhône-Alpes is the second region for Michelin starred chefs with 92 restaurants having at least 1 star.Among them 7 chefs hold 3 stars:

Régis et Jacques Marcon in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, Paul Bocuse in Lyon/Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, Flocons de Sel in Megève, La Bouitte in Saint-Marcel/Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Georges Blanc in Vonnas, Troisgros in Roanne… And above all the only woman with 3 stars, Anne-Sophie Pic in Valence.

http://restaurant.michelin.fr/



http://restaurant.michelin.fr/

http://www.aixetterra.com/en/

http://www.chocolat-weiss.fr/

http://www.citeduchocolat.com/fr

Auvergne Rhône-Alpes is the biggest AOC cheese tray in France!The region offers 21 cheeses with the AOC (Controlled Origin Appellation label)… out of 46 in France, hence almost 1 AOC cheese out of 2 is produced in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes!Among the big names we found Reblochon, Beaufort, Abondance, Cantal, Bleu d’Auvergne, Saint Nectaire, Rigotte de Condrieu, Picodon, Fourme de Montbrison…

To link gastronomy and wellbeing:

New spa “Les Sources du Haut Plateau” at Marcon restaurant and hotel The brand new spa “Les Sources du Haut Plateau” is the new product of Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid village, and a perfect complement to the accommodation and catering offer that Régis and Jacques MARCON developed.This “gourmet” village, known for its mushroom fest, is famous thanks to its 3 Michelin stars restaurant owned by Régis and Jacques Marcon. But the Marcon family also runs various other businesses in the village (hotels, La Coulemelle gourmet bistro and the brand new spa).Nestled at 1130 meters altitude and open to the surrounding nature, the facility offers many services in terms of wellbeing, relaxation and health prevention.The Nature Spa is open on the Doux Valley and the Ardèche mountains, with many amenities (hot tubs, massage beds, herbal sauna, panoramic sauna, steam room, ice fountain ...). 4 treatment rooms, a fitness area with sports trainer, a nutritionist and a beauty and hair salon complete the offer of this first-rate spa.Various packages including accommodation and catering are available, starting from £150 for two.www.regismarcon.fr



http://www.regismarcon.fr/

4. NEWS ON CULTURE AND CITY BREAKS

BIG EXHIBITS:

Contemporary Art Museum - Lyon Yoko Ono: lumière (light)March 9 – July 10, 2016The whole museum will be dedicated to the artist and her pieces of art. Since the 50’s Yoko Ono who is a musician, sculptor and video maker, has been creating a master piece of art linked to everyday life. Her texts, poems are inspired by every form of visual culture: theatre, painting, films... This exhibition is presenting illustrated poems from 1952 to works of art from 2016, and will be presented for the first time in France.http://www.mac-lyon.com/mac/sections/fr/expositions/2016/yoko_ono

Fine Arts Museum – Lyon

Autoportraits, from Rembrandt to selfieMarch 26 – June 26, 2016This exhibition is the first one to be organised in partnership with the Staatliche Kunsthalle in Karlsruhe (Germany) and the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburg, and will be presented in the 3 cities at different times throughout the year.It is all about the “auto portrait” or selfie, a real artistic style, which has become a society phenomenon.About 130 works of art will be presented: paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, videos... gathered in 5 themes: the artist’s look and mind, the artist’s work, the artist’s friends and family, the artist in action, the artist’s body.

Matisse November 30, 2016 – March 6, 2017A huge retrospective dedicated to Henri Matisse (1869-1954), an artist famous for its vibrating and stunning paintings. Some of his drawings and sculptures will also be exhibited to reach about 250 master pieces of art from 1905 to 1952.

http://www.mba-lyon.fr/mba/sections/languages/english/museum/welcome-museum-lyon

Cité du Design – Saint-Etienne Culture Interface – Digital and Science fictionNovember 3, 2015 - July 19, 2016A unique event dedicated to the links between digital design and science fiction

Important to notice: the next Design Biennale will be held on spring 2017 http://www.citedudesign.com/en/home/



http://www.citedudesign.com/en/home/

http://www.mba-lyon.fr/mba/sections/languages/english/museum/welcome-museum-lyon

http://www.mac-lyon.com/mac/sections/fr/expositions/2016/yoko_ono

National Centre for Stage Costumes (CNCS) in Moulins

Barockissimo!April 9 - September 18, 2016 In 2016, the CNCS will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an exhibition dedicated to the baroque music showing the most beautiful costumes coming from the Arts Florissants’ productions.Hightly designed, the exhibition will present more than a hundred of costume, artwork reproductions, photographies, extracts movie, and of course... music !It is the first exhibition of the CNCS that will be fully available in English, with group or individual visits in English and bilingual catalogue. A great cultural visit before enjoying the old town centre of Moulins, home of the Bourbon kings.www.cncs.fr

SAINT-ETIENNE:

NEW: Saint-Etienne City Card, an exclusive pass to help you get the most from your stay in Saint-Etienne. 36 listed activities including: museums, guided tours, leisure activities, shows, shopping and unlimited access to public transport. With the Saint-Etienne City Card enjoy an architectural trip : discover the Cité du Design, be amazed in Firminy with the biggest site in Europe built by Le Corbusier, understand the roots of design in Saint-Etienne at the Musée d’Art et Industrie and its impressive collection of ribbons, arms and bicycle or immerse yourself in contemporary art at one of the several international exhibitions held each year at the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum, the second in France after Beaubourg in term of collection.The Saint-Etienne City Card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 consecutive hours. Prices from €18 to €38http://saint-etiennetourisme.com

Important to notice: Saint-Etienne will welcome some games for the EURO2016

LYON: A NEW HOTEL OPENING

Opening in late 2015, The Fourvière Hotel Lyon which will be located on the beautiful Fourvière hill in the old part of the city will be home to a 75 room property with the front desk located in the genuine chapel. The hotel will also house a restaurant known as the “Bistronomic”, an outdoor pool, SPA facilities and a garden terrace.Contact: [email protected]

Important to notice: Lyon will welcome some games for the EURO2016

The Radisson Blu Hotel will open on October 2016 after refurbishing of its 250 rooms



http://www.ehotels-lyon.com/


http://saint-etiennetourisme.com/

http://www.cncs.fr/

5. NEWS ON MOUNTAINS

NEW ACCOMMODATION IN THE MOUNTAINS

Châtel: 1861 HostelThis new type of accommodation welcomes skiers, bikers, boarders, hikers and all mountain lovers. Nicely located halfway between the village centre and the well-known bike park of Châtel, 1861 Châtel hostel offers to our guests cheap beds for a great service, including comfy beds, TV lounge, a bar with a sunny terrace, a grassy garden with a slack line, inflatable swimming pool and so much more! www.1861chatelhostel.com

New 5-star hotels in Val Thorens and Val d’Isère A heaven of luxury on the Europe’s roof, Hotel Pashmina in Val Thorens is the perfect

retreat for anyone seeking thrills and adventure in authentic, welcoming surroundings. Leave your everyday life behind, and experience the mountains in a new light… The Pashmina*****invites you to discover a unique experience in the world of Val Thorens and the 3 Valleys. http://www.hotelpashmina.com/en/

The Yule Hotel in Val d’Isère enjoys hosting friends and feasting together. This new 5-star hotel on the snow front, a few meters from the ski lifts, offers you an exceptional location at the foot of the Olympic Bellevarde and Solaise slopes. In a vintage Scandinavian style, our 41 rooms are spread out over five floors with a range of sizes and compositions, starting from our standard rooms to our family suite. Most of our rooms are south facing with stunning views of the ski slopes and large balconies, our other rooms have privileged views of the village. http://leyule.fr/en/

A new hotel from the Sibuet family (Maison et Hôtels Sibuet) who owns a dozen of hotel in the Alps, Provence, Lyon, the Riviera… this new hotel in Flaine, Terminal Neige Totem, is a 3-star hotel with a very modern and ethnic style, with a unique universe, in total harmony with its history and its setting.

http://en.terminal-neige.com

MILLE8 IN LES ARCSSki, swim, eat and play… The MiIIe8 development above Arc 1800 opened this winter on December 2015 after opening some areas last season. This is a completely new concept rather than just a regular base village linked to a ski area. Mille8 is a an activity and entertainment hub, open at least 12 hours a day with indoor and outdoor facilities and events and activities taking place all winter. The outdoor facilities include a toboggan, a freestyle area, a secured area for children. The indoor facilities include a swimming pool, a spa, a play area for children. Mille8 is opening a new restaurant called Le Lodge.http://en.lesarcs.com/activities/mille8.html

AQUAMOTION IN COURCHEVELAquamotion is a new sport and aqua centre in Courchevel. It is the 22nd aqua centre to open in Savoie Mont Blanc. Sport enthusiasts will love the swimming pools, diving area, climbing wall and indoor surfing area. The spectacular surf wave is the first indoor example of its size in France. In the fun area, you can run, jump, shout and swim. Take on your friends on the three-lane water slide or



http://en.lesarcs.com/activities/mille8.html

http://en.terminal-neige.com/

http://leyule.fr/en/

http://www.hotelpashmina.com/en/

http://www.1861chatelhostel.com/

stock up on thrills in the 110m wild water rapids. The wellness area is equipped with a jetstream pool, a salt-water pool and a bubble pool. Aquamotion’s architecture is in complete harmony with the environment and enjoys natural light on all sides thanks to its vast bay windows. The roof, which follows the form of the land and looks like a vast green wave, is entirely covered with vegetation. A wood heating system was chosen for all the buildings and pools.Aquamotion opened last December 2015http://www.aquamotion-courchevel.com/



http://www.aquamotion-courchevel.com/

6. VIARHÔNA, THE NEW CYCLING DESTINATION

ViaRhôna is an 815 km green cycle path along the Rhône river, still under construction, which will eventually link Lake Geneva to the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Wonderful landscapes, towns, villages, vineyards and gastronomy await you along the way.

By the end of June 2016, the ViaRhôna itinerary should have permanent or temporary signage along the whole route. Trains are useful to reach points of departure or return on the cycle trip, to organize weekend trips, or simply to shorten a stage.

Currently the itinerary is 75% completed in the Rhône-Alpes (ie, 416 km out of 552 km) and nearly the half of it in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (ie, 55 km out of 118 km), with discussions underway for finalising the rest of the route and the works associated with it; and 34 % complete in the Languedoc-Roussillon region (ie, 49 km out of 144 km).

Since March 8th 2016 ViaRhôna and the Rhône Route in Switzerland has integrated the EuroVélo network and became the itinerary EuroVélo 17.

http://en.viarhona.com/

SOME EXAMPLES OF CYCLING STAYS ALONG THE VIARHÔNA:

Cycling holidays on ViaRhôna from Geneva to Lyon - 6 days / 5 nights Enjoy plenty of time to visit two incredible cultural capitals, Lyon and Geneva, and lead your own way on our cycling journey between them. The route we’ve carefully planned will introduce you to Pérouges, Chanaz, and Seyssel, to name a few of France’s best-kept secrets!www.cyclomundo.com

The ViaRhôna from Seyssel to Lyon - 7 days / 6 nights Leaving from Lake Leman to reach the Mediterranean Sea by the ViaRhôna is not the shortest or the fastest way, especially by bike, but it’s certainly the most beautiful! It is an invitation to contemplate landscapes, and discovering small villages, towns and small ports on the river.www.grandangle.fr

The ViaRhona from Vienne to Montélimar - 7 days A cycling trip along the Rhône river. All down the valley you'll enjoy pedalling at your own rhythm through a rich and varied built heritage, and the famous Côte du Rhône vineyards. Either on the left bank or the right bank of the Rhône river bank, you're sure to appreciate the diversity of environment in this mighty fluvial empire.www.safrantours.com



http://www.safrantours.com/

http://www.grandangle.fr/

http://www.cyclomundo.com/

http://en.viarhona.com/

· web viewnews on wine tourism and gastronomy page 8 côtes du rhône vineyard page 8 beaujolais...

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