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CITY , GASTRONOMY , NATURE , RIVERSIDE , WINE
Type :
Classic Cycle Routes of France  Linear cycle routes  Self-guided  Electric bike option 
hybrid :
e-bike :
Duration :
17 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
FRSB895
City Gastronomy Nature Riverside Wine
Explore the ViaRhôna: From Geneva to Sète by Bike
ViaRhôna - From Geneva to Sète
17 days,  
€ 2275

Introduction

FRSB895
  • Visit the historic old town and scenic lakeside of Geneva
  • Explore Lyon’s vibrant culinary scene and UNESCO-listed old quarter
  • Discover the medieval grandeur of Avignon
  • Relax in Sète, enjoying its canals, beaches, and fresh seafood delights
  • Cycling through Provence's iconic landscapes

Day to Day

Day 1   Arrival in Geneva
 

Arrival in Geneva and installation to your hotel. Take the time to discover this beautiful city of Switzerland, also known as the "capital of peace" with its humanitarian tradition, it will seduce you with its international charm and its old town offering a wide choice of delicious restaurants. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Lake Geneva.

  
Day 2   Geneva - Seyssel (or train option)
 

Your first bike ride takes you from Switzerland to France along the Rhone, you will discover the "Défilé de l'Écluse" and then the first vineyards between mountains and valleys, while keeping in view the sumptuous mountains of the Alps. This part of the trip will be on some busier roads, but the rest of the week it will be much quieter. You will spend the night in the charming little town of Seyssel, on the banks of the river.


Challenge: 60.8km, 656m ascent, 786m descent

  
Day 3   Seyssel - Champagneux
 

Leave Seyssel and cycle between ridges and plateau on both banks of the Rhone. Arrival in Chanaz, also called "La Petite Venise Savoyarde", enjoy a pleasant break in one of the charming restaurants along the canal of Savières. Continue on towards Culoz and Belley, peaceful small towns with a rich heritage that punctuates the Bugey mountain. Continue your journey, in a surprising nature to arrive in the region of Champagneux.


Challenge: 55.9km, 260m ascent, 248m descent

  
Day 4    Champagneux - Villebois
 

Today you pass through Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, for the greedy, we advise you to stop there to taste the famous brioche pralines! Further away, a little detour towards the village of Glandieu will allow you to refresh yourself with its majestic waterfall, a wonder of nature.Then you cross Morestel, stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, city of painters, flowered city and city in poetry. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Villebois, this is where you’ll stay overnight.


Challenge: 65.6km, 338m ascent, 346m descent

  
Day 5   Villebois - Pérouges
 

This ViaRhôna stage takes you through unspoilt countryside of Burgey above the Rhône. You pass lovely villages this morning : Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, and the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre. Your destination will soon be in sight as you approach the hilltop medieval village of Pérouges, labeled one of the most beautiful villages in France.


Challenge: 55.4km, 199m ascent, 174m descent

  
Day 6   Pérouges - Lyon
 

This last cycle day cleverly links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including at Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. Then enjoy the magnificent cycle route through central Lyon, along the Rhône’s banks. At the Rhône’s confluence with the Saône, you come to a brand-new quarter marked by contemporary architecture, the most striking building being the Musée des Confluences. Your options for the rest of the day are endless but you can also reward your soul of cyclist with a delicious meal in a "petit bouchon", typical restaurant in the city.


Challenge: 43.4km, 109m ascent, 213m descent

  
Day 7   Lyon - Vienne (or train option)
 

After buzzing Lyon, the itinerary leads through the towns of Grigny and Givors, on to St-Romain-enGal. The historic importance of navigation is clearer here than anywhere else along the Rhône. Museums at St-Romain-en-Gal and Vienne give a good picture of the river’s rich history, from classical to contemporary times.


Challenge: 37.1km, 203m ascent, 212m descent

  
Day 8   Vienne - Serrières
 

This remarkable cycling day offers a great variety of landscapes. From Vienne, once an ancient capital of Roman Gaul, to the nature reserve of L’île au Beurre, bearing witness to the Rhône’s wild side, via steeply terraced vineyards, including the prestigious Côte-Rôtie, and the first major orchards along the Rhône Valley, this stage will delight those interested in history, nature and gastronomy.


Challenge: 32.7km, 81m ascent, 96m descent

  
Day 9   Serrières - Valence
 

Your itinerary today runs between steep vineyards and dense orchards. Heading south from Lyon, this is the first ViaRhôna stage to enter the rugged Ardèche, a beautiful département (or French county) on the mighty Rhône’s west flank. Here, the tamed river supports orchards, market gardens and vines producing top-class Saint-Joseph wines. Arriving in Tournon-sur-Rhone enjoy a pleasant break laden with Gallo-Roman history.


Challenge: 61.6km, 116m ascent, 130m descent

  
Day 10   Valence - Montélimar
 

After a halt at Valence’s southern river port of L'Epervière, your route leads you back onto the western, Ardèche bank of the Rhône. The Ardèche is known for its exceptional caves, archaeological sites, characterful villages, châteaux and nature reserves. Continuing south along ViaRhôna and cycle on the recent Himalayan-style footbridge at Rochemaure is a great experience, built using the pillars of the Vieux Pont, it is an historic bridge over the Rhône. Here you are at the gates of Provence: "Montélimar" where a human presence has existed for more than 50,000 years. Renowned for its nougat, Montélimar is a pleasant town where it is good to stroll in the old city center.


Challenge: 70.9km, 151m ascent, 193m descent

  
Day 11   Montélimar - Pierrelatte
 

Leaving the beautiful city of Montélimar, cycle beside branches of the Rhône and pass through historic towns: Viviers, with its medieval spirit; Bourg-Saint-Andéol, its treasures including a rare sculpture of a Mithraic deity. Today your short itinerary is packed with heritage treasures, especially religious ones, including cathedrals, chapels and grand clerical residences. Those who love history as well as nature can enjoy their fill.


Challenge: 33.4km, 64m ascent, 98m descent

  
Day 12   Pierrelatte - Orange
 

Today is your last cycling today, and not just anyone. The program of the day : Pedaling through a impressive nature with the scents of Provence and across the charming village of Pont-Saint-Esprit. In the afternoon you reach the beautiful city of Orange. Of the numerous Roman buildings and monuments originally built, you still can see parts of the City Wall, the Arc de Triumph and the Theatre (UNESCO heritage), the stage wall of which the Sun King, Louis XIV, described as the most beautiful wall in his country.


Challenge: 51km, 74m ascent, 71m descent

  
Day 13   Orange - Avignon
 

We offer 2 routes on this cycling day. One follows the ViaRhona, the other takes you through the world-famous wine town Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where a stroll through the town should not be missed. Continue to the city of Avignon along the Rhône Cycle path, a relaxed way to cycle into the city. On arrival in Avignon we recommend a walk through the old town and a visit to the Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace).  


Challenge: 37 km, 146m ascent, 167m descent
or
Challenge: 52 km, 295m ascent, 316m descent

  
Day 14    Avignon - Arles
 

Taking a quiet cycle route, you leave Avignon and pedal directly to St Rémy, possibly the most beautiful and certainly the most typical town in Provence. Take a break in the shaded square or wander the old centre with its shops and cafes. A visit to the monastery Saint Paul de Mausole, where van Gogh spent a year, is highly recommended. Leaving St Remy, you can admire the Roman Arch as you head to the Alpilles. Enjoy great views of Les Baux, the “city in rock” with its spectacular location and fortress ruins. Continue to Arles, once the second largest city of the Roman Empire. Today, Roman culture and Romanesque heritage characterise the historic centre of Arles. It is also the city of Vincent van Gogh. Make your way to your hotel. 


Challenge: 57km, 128m ascent, 126m descent

  
Day 15    Arles - Aigues-Mortes
 

Your itinerary today will take you from Arles to Aigues-Mortes, immersing you in the enchanting landscapes of southern France. You will cycle through picturesque villages and explore the Mediterranean charm of the landscape. This stage crosses the Camargue Gardoise (the western, Languedoc side of the Camargue) and you will discover an exceptional flora and fauna. You cycle along the former towpaths beside the Canal du Rhône à Sète, crossing through typical marshland to reach the splendid walled port of Aigues-Mortes, Nestled on the Mediterranean coast, Aigues-Mortes captivates with its medieval allure and well-preserved city walls. Explore the charming cobblestone streets, visit the impressive Constance Tower, and soak in the maritime ambiance of this historic French town. Aigues-Mortes is a captivating blend of history, architecture, and coastal beauty.


Challenge: 53.5km, 0m ascent, 9m descent

  
Day 16   Aigues-Mortes - Sète
 

As the ViaRhône route ends, the Mediterranean awaits, with its beaches easily accessible by bike. You will cycle along the Canal du Rhône and pass Le Grau-du-Roi. Your ride continues along the Mediterranean and its beaches, with lively resorts and activities all around. As you follow the ViaRhôna, you'll be surrounded by the sea on one side and saltwater lagoons on the other. Between Palavas-les-Flots and Sète, close to Montpellier, the itinerary follows the sandy beaches. Visit the Maguelone Cathedrale for a glimpse of the massif of Gardioles covered with scrubland. Sète Harbor, on the edge of the Etang de Thau, marks the end of the adventure. 


Challenge: 62.4km, 54m ascent, 48m descent
 

  
Day 17   End of your trip
 

After breakfast, your trip ends in pleasant Sète, the biggest French fishing port on the Mediterranean coast, also known for its beautiful beaches.

  
Prices, Data, Booking

Practical Info

16 Nights included 
 

2/3 Star Hotels or 3/4 Star Hotels (supplement applied)
 

Breakfasts included during the trip

Maps and tourist information on all the places of interest

24/7 Bilingual Emergency hotline

Luggage transport to your next accommodations. Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum)
 

For time tables and further information check the website of SNCF or rome2rio for all French National trains (SNCF).

We strongly advise you to download the sncf mobile app prior to departure.

If you want to travel on a train with your bike, you can find more information via this link.

Parking information on request

We will supply the directions of this trip with a personalized code which gives you access to our travel App.