Leave the lively town of Chalon-sur-Saône following the Voie Bressane greenway up to Ouroux-sur-Saône before rejoining your original guiding thread – the Saône. The river now reveals a more unspoilt side as you ride through a protected zone. Along the way, make the most of the lovely, well-laid-out riverside stop at Gigny-sur-Saône. This stage finishes at Tournus, a town that grew up around its celebrated abbey, but which is now as well known for its gastronomic restaurants.

Leaving the soaring bell-towers of Tournus Abbey behind you, you can race along La Voie Bleue cycle route beside the Saône, past anglers and sailors. You soon find yourself at the foot of the excellent Mâconnais vineyards. How can you resist a tasting of Viré-Clessé, Montbellet or Uchizy on the way? Fleurville and its lake offer a lovely spot at which to relax and enjoy outdoor leisure activities. If more attracted by culture and gastronomy, there’s a link to Pont-de-Vaux you can take along a canal.

On this stage you cruise along the foot of the Mâconnais area’s vineyards right up to the centre of Mâcon town. Dotted with charming villages, each built around a Romanesque church, this stage of La Voie Bleue really hugs the river. Mâcon town offers a fine blend of culture and heritage, plus lively terraces overseen by colourful facades, with fine restaurants and wines to sample… there are many discoveries to savour here!

Leaving Mâcon, you start to feel the pull of southern France as you race straight southwards towards Thoissey. Having made the most of visiting this town’s historical and archaeological sites, La Voie Bleue leads you along the east bank of the Saône. Around here, you pass through natural landscapes marked by wetlands and poplar plantations, home to many species of birds. This stage of the route also offers lovely views on the Mâconnais and Beaujolais hills. Along the way, stop at the restaurant at Port de By or at the outdoor leisure lake at Cormoranche-sur-Saône.

From Thoissey, head for Trévoux by bike, enjoying the natural setting of the towpath down the Saône Valley, the Beaujolais hills opposite. Along the route, several unmissable cultural and gastronomic sites compete for your attention. If a fan of water sports, try canoeing on the river, or going for a dip in the Saône at one of the specially laid-out spots. Visit the remarkable châteaux in these parts, and eat at the outdoor summer riverside restaurants, guinguettes. Trévoux is a little old town full of surprising discoveries – this was once historic capital of the tiny Principality of Dombes.

On this La Voie Bleue stage, savour the last stretch of the Saône before it joins the Rhône. From Trévoux to Lyon, southern capital of French gastronomy, enjoy views of the Monts d’Or hills and the Saône’s holiday atmosphere, with its waterside restaurants and nautical activities. Entering Lyon, the riverbanks are well laid out. Finally, you come to the Saône’s confluence with the Rhône, marking a sensational end to your cycling adventure, or a stopping point before continuing to the Mediterranean on the ViaRhôna cycle route. Lyon’s contemporary Confluence Quarter stands out for its funky architecture and cultural venues, adding a new facet to this city whose historic quarters have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seek out a fine restaurant, maybe a traditional Bouchon Lyonnais, and make the most of the innumerable activities on offer in France’s third-largest city.