The Rhône-Alpes region, in the second rank in France by its surface (43 700 km²) and by its population (5.776 millions inhabitants), has naturally its place in the big European regions. It might be compared to such countries as Belgium, the Netherlands.... It is also the second most visited region in France.
This is why, through its policy of help to touristic niches, the Rhône-Alpes region has been developing an ambitious programme of professionalisation, development and promotion of Tourism of Economic Discovery.
Indeed, industrial, scientific and technical tourism is one aspect of cultural tourism, which has continually and regularly grown over the last years, nationally as well as internationally. This kind of tourism and its development perfectly correspond to the economic and industrial realities of this region.
Favourite land for the development of industrial, technical and craftsmen activities, as well as advanced scientific research, the Rhône-Alpes region is also the cradle of inspired inventors : Jacquard, the Montgolfier brothers, Benoît Fourneyron ....
