DESTINATION GUIDE

The Alps & Rhône

Lakes, peaks, volcanoes and vibrant cities

Photo by Dino Sabic on Unsplash

CLIMATE & BEST MONTHS

Best months

Avg high °C

4°

6°

9°

13°

16°

22°

24°

24°

19°

14°

8°

5°

max 24°

Rainfall mm

67

54

81

80

110

98

72

67

88

108

87

74

max 110mm

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

An honest read on this corner of Metropolitan France

The Alps & Rhône combines Alpine scenery, volcano landscapes, lively cities and family attractions across east-central France. From Annecy’s lake, Lyon’s Roman heritage and Grenoble’s mountain setting to animal parks, castles and ski resorts, it offers year-round variety. Families can mix outdoor adventures, cultural visits and easy-going countryside stops in one broad destination.

KIDS LOVE IT BECAUSE

3 reasons our team flagged

  • They can ride cable cars, explore mountain trails and enjoy lakeside fun in places like Annecy, Grenoble and the Alpine resorts.

  • Animal encounters are a big draw, from crocodiles and aquarium species to birds, bison and Alpine wildlife.

  • Castles, Roman theaters and interactive museums make history and science feel playful and hands-on.

CURATED FOR FAMILIES

Curated places & activities

Aggregated from OpenStreetMap, Wikidata and Wikivoyage, then ranked by our editorial team for family fit.

Ranked by family relevance

1
ZOO

La Ferme aux crocodiles

La Ferme aux Crocodiles thrills kids with hundreds of crocodiles, turtles and exotic reptiles in a huge indoor tropical greenhouse that’s easy to explore as a family.

View details →
2
ZOO

Zoo d'Upie

Zoo d'Upie is a family-friendly bird and animal park where children can get close to many species and enjoy spacious outdoor play and picnic areas.

View details →
3
ZOO

Réserve de bisons d'Europe de Sainte-Eulalie

The Réserve de bisons d'Europe de Sainte-Eulalie is a unique place for kids to see European bison and learn about wildlife conservation.

View details →
4

Téléphérique du Salève

Cable car

The Téléphérique du Salève cable car gives kids a fun ride up the mountain with panoramic views over Geneva and the Alps plus easy family walks at the top.

View details →
5

Parc animalier de Merlet

Zoo

Parc animalier de Merlet is a scenic mountain animal park where children can hike gentle trails and spot ibex, chamois and marmots in a natural setting facing Mont Blanc.

View details →
6

Aquarium de Lyon

Aquarium

Aquarium de Lyon captivates children with colorful fish, sharks and interactive displays, making it a fun and weather-proof family outing.

View details →
7

Globe of Science and Innovation

Museum

The Globe of Science and Innovation at CERN introduces kids to physics and space through striking exhibits that spark curiosity about how the universe works.

View details →
8

La Magie des Automates

Museum

La Magie des Automates enchants children with dozens of moving mechanical scenes, from fairy tales to animals, in an immersive and playful indoor museum.

View details →
9

Espace des Mondes Polaires

Museum

Espace des Mondes Polaires lets families discover polar worlds through ice rink fun, interactive exhibits and films about explorers and wildlife.

View details →
10

Annecy

City

Annecy delights families with its lakefront beaches, pedal boats, canals and easy bike paths in a compact, charming town.

View details →
12

Lyon

City

Lyon offers families a mix of riverside walks, parks, old town exploring and kid-friendly museums in a vibrant yet manageable city.

View details →
13

Grenoble

City

Grenoble is surrounded by mountains, giving active families easy access to cable cars, viewpoints and outdoor adventures plus museums in town.

View details →
16

Natural History Museum of Grenoble

Museum

Grenoble’s Muséum d'histoire naturelle engages kids with animals, fossils and hands-on exhibits about nature and the local mountains.

View details →
17

Lugdunum Musée et Théâtres

Museum

Lugdunum Musée et Théâtres Romains lets families wander real Roman theaters and see ancient artifacts that bring history to life for children.

View details →
18

Château de Chevreaux

Castle

Château de Chevreaux offers kids the excitement of exploring castle ruins in a rural setting with room to run and imagine medieval life.

View details →
19

Citadelle de Sisteron

Castle

The Citadelle de Sisteron impresses families with its dramatic cliffside fortress, tunnels and views, turning a visit into a real-life adventure.

View details →
20

Château du Sailhant

Castle

Château du Sailhant combines a fairy-tale castle setting with a dramatic volcanic landscape that fascinates both kids and adults.

View details →
SOURCES · OPENSTREETMAP · WIKIDATA · WIKIVOYAGE · TRIBES EDITORIAL

Stays we'd actually book in The Alps & Rhône

All properties in this destination are screened by the Tribes editorial team — verified kids clubs, family rooms, walking distance to beaches and parks. Member rates available when you sign in.

This guide is provided for general guidance and may contain automatically generated or summarised information. It may be incomplete or out of date; please verify essential details before you travel.