From Avignon to the Mediterranean Sea by bike

Take a last look back at the great papal city before ViaRhôna leads you across the Rhône into the county of the Gard. A dedicated cycle track will be put in place here; for the moment, follow the green strip of land between the TGV rail bridges and Aramon Bridge. Then the route zigzags between vineyards and orchards before joining the Pont du Gard Greenway, heading to the Rhône-side port of Beaucaire, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its rich historical legacy, and set at a point where the regions of Languedoc and Provence meet.

This stretch links two towns packed with fascinating history and monuments. At Beaucaire, the river port reaches into the heart of the old town, a place to enjoy many discoveries. Arles, with splendid Roman and medieval monuments, boasts an exceptionally rich heritage. This provisional but signposted portion of ViaRhôna takes you along quiet roads, across a plain crisscrossed by tracks to remote mas (the name for the farms in the parts) and by irrigation canals helping water the crops and orchards here. You then enter Arles from the southwest.

This stretch links two towns packed with fascinating history and monuments. At Beaucaire, the river port reaches into the heart of the old town, a place to enjoy many discoveries. Arles, with splendid Roman and medieval monuments, boasts an exceptionally rich heritage. This provisional but signposted portion of ViaRhôna takes you along quiet roads, across a plain crisscrossed by tracks to remote mas (the name for the farms in the parts) and by irrigation canals helping water the crops and orchards here. You then enter Arles from the southwest.

A provisional signposted stretch of cycle route has been put in place between Beaucaire and Saint-Gilles while awaiting the creation of a dedicated route alongside the Canal du Rhône à Sète. At present, you follow quiet roads into the start of the Camargue plain, cycling amidst fields divided up by irrigation canals. Saint-Gilles with its medieval centre takes visitors back to major pilgrimage times. Beyond town stand slopes producing Costières de Nîmes wines.

The ViaRhôna route has been set up between Gallician and Aigues-Mortes. On this stage along a greenway, you cross a portion of the Camargue Gardoise (the western, Languedoc side of the Camargue). The flora and fauna are exceptional. 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, set amidst marshes, vineyards and saltpans. Take in these extraordinary landscapes from the top of the Tour Carbonnière, an historic guards’ tower. Two further cycling circuits starting from Gallician enable you to discover more of the surrounding vines, marshes and reedbeds.

This stage marks the end of the whole ViaRhône route, with the Mediterranean and its beaches beckoning, and very easily accessed by bike. First you need to cycle alongside the Canal du Rhône à Sète between Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau-du-Roi. Then you ride alongside the Mediterranean and its beaches, with lively resorts and activities all around. ViaRhôna takes you meandering along the beachfront, between the sea and the salt lagoons behind. Have your swimsuits and towels at the ready!

From Palavas-les-Flots, close to the bigger city of Montpellier, the itinerary is winding between beaches and saltwater lagoons. Do not miss the Maguelone Cathedrale where you will glimpse at the massif of Gardioles covered with its garrigues. A shellfish tasting while sipping a glass of "Muscat de Frontignan" will be your rewards for this last stage of the ViaRhôna. The arrival to the Sète Harbor, at the edge of the Etang de Thau, marks the end of the adventure.