The history of the Rhône-Alpes is apparent from the artistic and architectural achievements of successive Empires and Dynasties. Strategically situated in Central Europe with its northern and eastern borders protected by mountains, invaders, explorers and travellers had to pass through the region to pursue their goals to the west. Behind them they left many monuments to mark their passage.
The harsh conditions endured by early hunting man over 20,000 years ago is brought to life in the Palaeolithic caves of the Ardèche. They provide a catalogue of the beasts and birds that roamed the land in those far off days, rhinoceroses, giant owls, bears and woolly mammoths.
The presence of the Romans is particularly apparent in the Lyon area. Lugdunum as it was known, was the capital of the Three Gauls Region and was a thriving metropolis during the 15th century bc. Gladiators entertained crowds of up to 10,000 people in the Grand Theatre just outside Lyon. The smaller Odeon just next door would have been the scene of dramatic dialogue, poetry renditions and perhaps even a travelling circus.
Documentary evidence reveals that a third amphitheatre, the remains of which are in the Jardins des Plantes, was where Christian martyrs were put to death in defence of their religion in the first century ad.
As the Holy Roman Empire went into decline, Christianity grew in popularity and the many cathedrals and monasteries are evidence of the depth of ecclesiastical tradition in the region.
Grenoble had its own Bishop as long ago as the 4th century ad. however it was the Archbishops of Lyon who controlled much of what went on in the area, right up until the early 14th century. Over the next 200 years the western departments were gradually subsumed under the Kingdom of France and followed the history of the mother country.
To the east of the region, the Royal House of Savoie dominated every aspect of the alpine people for many centuries. This royal line can trace its ancestry back to Humbert the Whitehanded who lived sometime in the late 10th century. Always a friend to the Italians, they were granted land and the title, Count of Savoie.
Slowly but surely the House of Savoie acquired land and placed family members into strategic positions of authority. Several became Bishops and close proximity to the Kingdoms of Italy and France ensured many fortuitous marriage alliances.
By the mid-15th century an alliance with Piedmont resulted in Savoie being upgraded to a Dukedom taking in the present departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie and Piedmont.
Clever statesmanship and military know-how kept the area intact and independent during the mid-millennium upheavals and political intrigue that saw many lesser Dukedoms succumb to either French, Italian or Spanish rule.
By 1713, Savoie was considered a precious ally in any conflict and the Hapsburgs, keen to secure friendship, conferred the Kingship of Sicily on the family. To this was later added Sardinia.
The Royal House of Savoie became firmly embroiled in the history of Italy and their fortunes rose and fell as Italy struggled to unify. It was not until 1836, however, that the Savoie departments finally became part of France.
