Page "Rhône-Alpes" Paragraph 33

Although there have been people in Rhône-Alpes since pre-historic times, the earliest recorded settlers of the region were the Gauls ( Celts ).

Cities such as Lyon were founded by them and the region traded with both northern and southern Europe.

Most of the area became part of Roman territory during the invasion of Celtic Gaul led by Julius Caesar and was at various times part of the regions of Lugdunensis and Gallia.

Lyon itself became a major city in the Roman Empire.