Grenoble, a city surrounded by the great mountain ranges of the Belledonne, Chartreuse, Oisans and Vercors, offers a wonderful quality of life, plus all sorts of possibilities for exhilarating outdoor activities in different seasons. Leaving town by bike, you follow a peaceful, shaded greenway taking you through unspoilt parts, with impressive views of the Isère River and rocky cliffs rising far above it. As you ride along the wooded levées alongside the Isère, you can see islands where many species of birds nest. Plus, there’s a culinary reward for cyclists, as you continue through the largest walnut groves in Europe. Le Grand Séchoir, a museum dedicated to walnuts, is where this stage ends, a perfect spot to fill up on the local omega-3-rich nuts, available in all manner of forms.

You cycle into the hilly area of Saint-Marcellin, which has given its name to a reputed Dauphiné cow’s milk cheese, a portion of which could top up your energy on your stops! Head to Saint-Romans on the south bank of the Isère and enjoy a little detour via the medieval village of Beauvoir-en-Royans, visiting the calm site of the Couvent des Carmes. Ride on westwards to La Sône, a village renowned for its remarkable Jardin des Fontaines Pétrifiantes. Then continue through walnut groves and orchards and past dams to Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier. Just before arriving here, you cross the Isère River, entering the département (French county) of Drôme. Carry on up to Romans-sur-Isère, a town now known as a centre for the rebirth of textiles and shoes Made in France. If keen on architecture, Romans-sur-Isère has a rich heritage, presenting a mix of Romanesque and Gothic craft… as well as industrial-era pieces.

Leaving Romans-sur-Isère, our cycle route transports you over the Isère River, to the town of Bourg-de-Péage on the south bank. Carrying on towards Châteauneuf-sur-Isère, you can spot former alluvial stone quarries, as well as troglodyte caves cut into the cliff-face. The last stretch of this stage leads you to Pont de l'Isère, standing at the confluence of the Isère and Rhône Rivers. Continue due south along the ViaRhôna cycle route to reach Valence, a city whose lively pedestrian streets and colourful markets lend the end of this stage a hint of Provence. For seasoned cyclists with enough time, continue on down the Rhône, extending your cycling adventure as far as the Mediterranean!