19,24 km cycling route from Aix-les-Bains to Chambéry
To begin with, choose from two possible starting points: the canal-side village of Chanaz, from where you can take a boat along the Canal de Savières down to Aix-les-Bains’s Grand Port, passing under Lac du Bourget’s unspoilt wooded western bank and below Hautecombe Abbey; or Aix-les-Bains, a thermal spa resort with a wealth of history going from Roman vestiges to Belle Époque villas. The cycle route then leads you southwards alongside the great lake, via an extremely scenic panoramic cycle path going down to Le Bourget-du-Lac. Lastly, following the greenway along the Leysse River – one of France’s very earliest greenways – continue to the city of Chambéry, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, enjoying a cycle path much used by Savoyard locals who ride along it to get to and from work!
Elevation of the stage
Waytypes of the stage
Surface of the stage
The Route
You can start this stage of La Belle Via cycle route in original manner, boarding a boat at Chanaz en Chautagne (also linked to the ViaRhôna cycle route) taking you on a mini-cruise down the Canal de Savières and then across Lac du Bourget to reach the Grand Port, the main harbour of the Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes area. Getting back onto dry land with your bike, from the Grand Port, you first follow a stretch of La Belle Via (V63) that runs down the lake alongside the Promenade Lamartine, very soon joining the greenway called the Avenue Verte Nord that continues along the lake shore. Along this stretch, consider pausing at a beach or two, or at a restaurant in one of the lake-side villages.
At Le Bourget-du-Lac, the southern end of the lake is now a protected natural area that stands out for its biodiversity. This part of the stage is really easy, presenting a shift in altitude of just 2%. Finally, follow the Hyères River towards Chambéry.
Link to the Tour des Bauges à Vélo cycling circuit
From the lake-side Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes, you can cycle off for Chambéry, Montmélian, Albertville and Annecy. This circuit takes you riding beside the foothills of the Parc Naturel Régional des Bauges (also designated a UNESCO Geopark), along a magical path beside the local mountains that makes for easy cycling. Dotted with vineyards, lakes and extremely scenic countryside, with the mountains forming the backdrop, the Tour des Bauges à Vélo is signposted and mostly follows the same tracks as La Belle Via cycle route. Along its length, enjoy taking your time to unearth natural, cultural and wine gems, all to be savoured at your own pace.
Practical information
Tourist offices
- Office de tourisme Aix-Les-Bains Riviera des Alpes, 8 rue du Casino Allée du Grand Passage, 73100 Aix-les-Bains - 04 79 88 68 00
- Chambéry Montagnes 5 bis place du Palais de Justice - 73000 Chambéry - 04 79 33 42 47
SNCF train services
- Stations: Aix les Bains, Chambéry, Vions and Chanaz (if starting out from Chanaz and the ViaRhôna cycle route)
Don't miss
- Chanaz: Moulin à huile (a walnut oil mill); the Maison de Boigne and its dovecote; the vieux bourg (or old village); the Musée Gallo-Romain at nearby Portout; La Brûlerie (a craft coffee maker); the Canal de Savières
- Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille: Hautecombe Abbey (dramatic resting place of the Dukes of Savoy)
- Lac du Bourget: the Savoie–Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes wine-making area, awarded Vignobles & Découvertes status given the number of welcoming addresses open to tourists; Hautecombe Abbey; the numerous lake-side beaches and water sports available (the lake has been accredited France Station Nautique status for its facilities); the lake-side villages
- Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes: the natural thermal spa resort; the Grand Cercle casino; Aqualis, centre d’interprétation du lac du Bourget (explaining all about the lake); guided tours covering such themes as Art Nouveau & Art Deco, the grand hotels (palaces in French) of the Belle Époque, or Queen Victoria in Aix-les-Bains; the Musée Faure (dedicated to fine arts)
- Le Bourget du Lac: the priory and its formal French gardens; the Château de Thomas II and adjoining protected natural area of the Domaine de Buttet; the Observatoire des Aigrettes (a free bird observatory in the wetlands of the protected natural area)
- Chambéry: the Château des Ducs de Savoie; the Fontaine des Eléphants monument; the Rotonde ferroviaire (a circular building originally made to service trains); the trompe-l’œil decorations in the Saint-François-de-Sales Cathedral; the Musée Savoisien (on regional history); the Musée des Beaux Arts (on fine arts); themed guided tours covering the medieval quarter, the allées (secret passageways), hôtels particuliers (fine townhouses), major monuments and the colourful trompe-l'œil artworks dotted around the city.
Travellers’ reviews