French Bike Tours - Email: info@french-biketours.com - Telephone +33 (0)553242210 - WWW.FRENCH-BIKETOURS.COM
Take your bike and discover the Via Rhôna! From Lake Geneva in Switzerland to the Mediterranean Sea, follow a route that has been used by successive civilizations for over 2,000 years. Wonderful landscapes, towns, authentic villages, impressive nature, vineyards and delicious gastronomy await you along the way!
These 6 days will give you the opportunity to cycle quietly along the banks of the Rhone, between the Bugey Mountains and the Jura Massif, take a breath of fresh air enjoy the Alpine peaks around.
For this trip we've decided to start from Seyssel, to avoid the first part of the Via Rhôna from Geneve which is on busier roads. You can easy reach Seyssel by train from Geneva or Lyon. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Lyon, “the city of lights”. Gastronomes, lovers of good wines, wildlife and history,... this cycle trip between Seyssel and « the capital of the Gauls » will be a good choice for you !
| Day 1 | Arrival in Seyssel | |
Arrival in Seyssel and installation in your hotel. Discover this charming village separated in two by the Rhône, its peculiarity is to have two churches, two cemeteries, two Post Offices, ... Only one emblematic bridge separates the two city centers. Located at 250 meters above sea level, Seyssel is also the lowest village of Haute-Savoie.
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| Day 2 | Seyssel - Champagneux | |
Leave Seyssel and cycle between ridges and plateau along the 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 sit at the foot of the Bugey mountain. Continue your journey to arrive in the region of Champagneux. Challenge: 55.9km, 260m ascent, 248m descent
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| Day 3 | 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 on, a little detour towards the village of Glandieu will allow you to refresh yourself with its majestic waterfall, a wonder of nature. Next you arrive in Morestel, the ‘Cité des Peintres’, stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and visit the art galleries. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Villebois, this is where you’ll stay overnight. Challenge: 65.6km, 338m ascent, 346m descent
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| Day 4 | Villebois - Pérouges | |
This ViaRhôna stage takes you through the 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
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| Day 5 | Pérouges - Lyon | |
This last cycling day cleverly links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including 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
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| Day 6 | Departure from Lyon | |
End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Lyon.
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Of course you can also book extra night(s) during the trip. We can give you these prices on request. Please mention where you would like to add extra night(s).
5 Nights included
2/3 Star Hotels or 3/4 Star Hotels (supplement applied)
All Breakfasts and 1 Dinner-tray on day 3 in Villebois (as no alternatives in the surroundings) 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 informations on request
We will supply the directions of this trip with a personalized code which gives you access to our travel App.