The Rhone Valley is one of the most sought-after locations in which to live in France and to buy French property as a holiday home. It offers a special connection to nature, wine and good-living that so captures the essence of French life. Extending from the fertile plains to the east of Lyon, where the River Rhone drops down from Lake Geneva, the Rhone valley cuts a course due south through the departments of Isere, Ardeche, Drome, Vaucluse, Gard and Bouches du Rhone. In fact, for the majority of the time the Rhone River acts as a natural department boundary, separating Ardeche from Drome, and Gard from Bouches du Rhone.
On its journey the Rhone River and Valley take in many exquisite cities, towns, villages and hamlets in which all manner of Rhone Valley property can be purchased. Starting in the north the Rhone River passes through the centre of dramatic Lyon, from where the Rhone Canal begins. French property in Lyon offers something for everyone, from grand city apartments to chateaux surrounded by acres of land. Moving south of Lyon the Rhone Valley takes in the ancient Roman town of Vienne. Vienne was a very important wine port in Roman times, shipping the famous Rhone Wines downstream and out into the Mediterranean.
Between Vienne and Valence the countryside bristles with orchards and vineyards, offering some truly beautiful locations in which to buy that dream villa in France. South again the valley moves on towards the town of Montelimar. After Montelimar the Rhone valley becomes less well-defined, as it spreads out into more of a delta through the departments of Gard, Vaucluse and Bouches du Rhone. Rhone Valley property in the lower part of the Rhone Valley is very popular amongst foreign property buyers - especially the area around the Luberon, Avignon and Orange.
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