Rhône-Alpes (English: Rhone-Alps) is one of the administrative regions of France, comprising the departments of Ain, Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Savoie, Isère, Loire, Rhône and Savoie.

The Rhône-Alpes is a vast and varied region, well known for skiing but also offer summer destinations with its rivers and lakes.

It is the second largest region in France in area (after the Midi-Pyrénées), and in population (after Île-de-France).

The region was named after the Rhône River and the Alps mountain range. Its capital, Lyon, is the second-largest metropolitan area in France after Paris.

There is heavy industry along the Rhone valley, but agriculture and wine are also important particularly in Beaujolais and Côte du Rhone.

Although there have been people in Rhône-Alpes since pre-historic times, the earliest recorded settlers of the region were the Gauls.

Cities such as Lyon (Lugdunum in Latin after the Gallic God Lugh) were founded by them and the region traded with both Northern and Southern Europe.

Most of the area became part of Roman territory during the invasion of Gaul led by Julius Caesar and was at various times part of the regions of Lugdunensis and Gallia. Lyon itself became a major Roman city.

The region, except Savoy, was part of the Merovingian and Carolingian Kingdoms before becoming a royal territory under the Capetians. As it became a royal territory early on in French history, its history has not differed much from France since.