Crossword Genius

A mountain area in France (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alpha

'a mountain area in france' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'mountain area in france' is the wordplay.
'mountain' becomes 'alp' (alp is a kind of mountain).
'area in france' becomes 'ha' (short for hectare, unit of area with a French name).
'alp'+'ha'='ALPHA'

(Other definitions for alpha that I've seen before include "Beginning" , "very good rating" , "Brilliant star" , "Greek vowel" , "First letter of the Greek alphabet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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