The Rhone-Alpes region is generally known as the link between Northern and Southern France. The Rhone-Alpes region is the second largest regional economy in France. The region has close ties to many of the surrounding territories, including Piedmont, Lombardy, Baden-Wurttemberg and Catalonia. There are 71 banks and financial institutes in the Rhone-Alpes region, making it the country's second largest financial center. Lyon also has an international school.
Research plays a major role in the region's economy.
There are 450 laboratories, higher technical institutes and EU research centers in the Rhone-Alpes region, and there are 7,000 employees in the sector. The region boasts an excellent transportation infrastructure. Lyon is linked to the TGV, which has connections to 65 other locations. There is also an international airport in Lyon, Lyon-Satolas, with direct flights to major cities throughout the world. Lyon benefits from a very high level of industrial investment, which has created genuine centers of excellence.