> From the rare truffles of the Drôme to the vineyards of Beaujolais, > the Rhone- Alps reveal the treasures of French cuisine. Gastronomic pleasures are complemented by the lush countryside, filled with fields of lavender. UNESCO- designated Lyon has 1st-century Roman ruins and the 19th-century Basilica of Fourvière. Forts and castles dot the landscape around Grenoble. Work off excess calories on the slopes of Chamonix and Megève. Visit during autumn to take advantage of the grape harvest and many festivals.

Dom Perignon, Cristal, Veuve Clicquot... The very names evoke images of decadence and luxury, from star-studded parties in sunny destinations to candlelit evenings in 5-star surrounds. Champagne-Ardenne breaks out the bubbly by the millions of cases every year, drawing thirsty travelers the world over to taste its unparalleled sparkling wines and explore the chalky caves in which the Champagne matures. The surrounding countryside is rife with deep forests, rolling limestone and bright waterways.