Voie Douce de la Payre : Le Pouzin / Privas
This route offers a gentle way of cycling along the Payre, a small tributary of the Rhône, to reach the pleasant capital of the county of Ardèche. This beautiful greenway linked to the ViaRhôna cycle route has given a new lease of life to the former railway line up to Privas, renowned for producing marrons glacés (candied chestnuts). Entirely tarmacked and easy to cycle along, this short cycle path takes in many interesting works of engineering – tunnels, viaducts, bridges, footbridges, even hydraulic works. Plus there are some spectacular gorges through the rocks to admire beside this gentle cycle route.
Voie Douce de la Payre from Le Pouzin to Privas
The cycle route is signposted ‘Voie Douce de la Payre’.
This greenway is connected to ViaRhôna cycle route departing from the the southern exit from Le Pouzin at the round-about on the RD86 road.
The excellent asphalt surface along this 20km-long cycle track helps make up for the slight ascent (gradient of 1%) almost all the way along as far as Privas. An ideal cycling trip to tackle as a family.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Don't miss
- Le Pouzin: the Roman bridge with its single arch spanning the Ouvèze River
- Baix: a village with ancient roots; the Viaduc de la Payre
- Alissas: its impressive viaduct along the route (178m in length)
- Saint-Vincent-de Barrès: a character-filled village and a medieval gem
- Privas: capital for the production of marrons glacés (candied chestnuts); the historic building, the Hôtel Diane de Poitiers (15th century); the Pont Louis XIII (a 12th-century bridge)
