Rhône

The Rhône is a major transalpine river in Europe, running roughly 812 kilometers from its source in the Swiss Alps to its mouth in the Mediterranean. Its headwaters originate at the Rhône Glacier in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The river flows southward, passes through Lake Geneva, and after exiting the lake continues into France, where it follows the Rhône Valley toward Lyon and beyond to the Mediterranean.

In its Swiss and French portions, the Rhône is heavily managed for hydroelectric power and irrigation, with a network of dams and reservoirs. The river also supports navigation on its lower reaches. The valley around the river is renowned for viticulture: the northern Rhône bears varieties such as Syrah with appellations like Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, while the southern Rhône is famous for wines including Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other Mediterranean styles.

Ecologically, the Rhône and its delta occupy an important wetland region in southern France. The river’s lower course passes major urban centers, including Lyon in France, and ultimately forms part of the Camargue delta before discharging into the Gulf of Lion in the Mediterranean.

The name Rhône is used in geography and administration as well. In France, the river lends its name to the department of Rhône, whose capital is Lyon. The broader Rhône region also led to the historical Rhône-Alpes region, now part of the larger Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative area. The Rhône remains a defining feature of the landscapes, economy, and culture of the areas it traverses.