ViaRhôna

On the south bank of Lake Geneva, straddling the Franco-Swiss border, the town of Saint-Gingolph stands at the start of the ViaRhôna cycle route through southeast France. West along the lake, backed by mountains, the thermal spa resorts of Evian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains are highlights, great for stays and lake views. Note that the stretch from Saint-Gingolph to Evian is only suitable for experienced cyclists. We strongly recommend that families with children start the route from Evian or Thonon.

After Thonon-les-Bains, the ViaRhôna cycle route leads you along a mix of cycle tracks and quiet roads, through villages in the Bas-Chablais area. Don’t miss the stunning medieval villages of Yvoire and Nernier right by Lake Geneva. There are numerous other short detours to make to little ports and beaches, great for a dip. Reaching Chens-sur-Léman, while awaiting the continuation of the ViaRhôna cycle route further west into France, we suggest you carry on along the signposted cycle route into Switzerland leading you as far as Geneva.

This ViaRhôna stage keeps within the Franco-Swiss border area. You start in the splendid Swiss town of Geneva, beside its famous lake. Known as a buzzing international city these days, Geneva has preserved its traditional Swiss feel too. This ViaRhôna stage leads you via signposted small roads and greenways into the vineyards close to town and on through verdant countryside towards the Alps.

This ViaRhôna stage takes you up and down through spectacular scenery, offering splendid views over the Rhône Valley. You go through the dramatic Défilé de l’Ecluse before reaching Seyssel, an important river port since ancient times. Today it’s a charming stop, both for cultural activities and leisure ones based around the river. This stage uses roads that can be busy, so it is only recommended for experienced cyclists.

This ViaRhôna stage goes along both banks of the Rhône. This route is provisional. It leads between crests and plateaux, through landscapes marked by lakes and waterfalls. Then you come to a land of vineyards and gastronomy set below the Bugey Range, passing delightful little historic stops like Belley, Culoz and Chanaz. This physically-demanding stage is along a mix of greenways and roads.

This ViaRhôna stage meanders through the beautiful Bugey area, between the majestic Rhône and the Lavours Marshes, below the imposing Grand Colombier Mountain. To the south, enjoy the Haut-Rhône plain, the mountains and the vineyards, arriving at the Pays de Lhuis and Izieu through magnificently varied countryside. On this stage, you follow greenways and laid-out roads, except when going through La Balme’s tunnels, where the road is narrow and very busy .

This ViaRhôna stage takes you through unspoilt countryside beside the Rhône. Hidden in the magnificent landscapes of the southern Bugey, with their mountains and forests, lie splendid lakes and marshes. You pass lovely villages like Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, and the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre. A lovely greenway links "La Vallée Bleue" to Lagnieu. At Lagnieu Bridge, follow the D 1075 and D 65 to join La-Balme-les-Grottes, Be careful on the road (no signposting).

At the Bugey area’s southern edge, this ViaRhôna stage distances itself slightly from the Rhône to head up to the Balconies on the Rhône, boasting traditional villages, castles and vineyards. At Anthon, the Ain River joins the Rhône, creating a remarkable natural site in stark contrast to Lyon’s sprawling metropolis not far off. Continue to Jons (a village on the edge of Greater Lyon), the Canal de Jonage and the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage. This provisional stage follows small roads.

This ViaRhôna stage cleverly links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including at Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. Then enjoy the magnificent cycle route through central Lyon, along the Rhône’s banks. At the Rhône’s confluence with the Saône, you come to a brand-new quarter marked by contemporary architecture, the most striking building being the Musée des Confluences. The route is along greenways, but without specific signposting.

After buzzing Lyon, this ViaRhôna stage leads through the towns of Grigny and Givors, on to St-Romain-en-Gal. The historic importance of navigation is clearer here than anywhere else along the Rhône. Museums at St-Romain-en-Gal and Vienne give a good picture of the river’s rich history, from classical to contemporary times. A provisional link goes along the Rhône’s west bank, on very busy roads. Best take a train from Lyon to Givors.

This remarkable ViaRhôna stage offers a great variety of landscapes. From Vienne, once an ancient capital of Roman Gaul, to the nature reserve of L’île au Beurre, bearing witness to the Rhône’s wild side, via steeply terraced vineyards, including the prestigious Côte-Rôtie, and the first major orchards along the Rhône Valley, this stage will delight those interested in history, nature and gastronomy. You follow greenways for almost the entire length, joining a road to enter Sablons.

This ViaRhôna stage runs between steep vineyards and dense orchards. Heading south from Lyon, this is the first ViaRhôna stage to enter the rugged Ardèche, a beautiful département (or French county) on the mighty Rhône’s west flank. Here, the tamed river supports orchards, market gardens and vines producing top-class Saint-Joseph wines. Arriving at the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, follow the provisional signage to continue along the route.

This easy ViaRhôna stage offers a gentle introduction to the South of France. There’s much to enchant: pretty villages in typical southern style; a surprising branch of the Rhône encircling La Roche-de-Glun; and biodiversity. The big town of Valence presages Provence to the south, with its colourful markets, shaded gardens and historic quarters, including pedestrianized area. This stage goes along greenways, except through Valence.

After a halt at Valence’s southern river port of L'Epervière, ViaRhôna leads you back onto the western, Ardèche bank of the Rhône. The Ardèche is known for its exceptional caves, archaeological sites, characterful villages, châteaux and nature reserves. From La Voulte-sur-Rhône, you can discover rugged central Ardèche by taking the Dolce Via route up the Eyrieux Valley. Continuing south along ViaRhôna, cross the Printegarde Nature Reserve to reach Le Pouzin after another short trip across the Rhône into the Drôme.

ViaRhôna cycle route continues south towards Cruas. Heritage sites stand out in this area. Cruas Abbey, with its extraordinary medieval architecture, contrasts greatly with the industrial heritage around here, marked by cement-making works. An intriguing link between old and new is provided by the recent Himalayan-style footbridge at Rochemaure, built using the pillars of the Vieux Pont, an historic bridge over the Rhône.

Leaving Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, cycle beside branches of the Rhône and pass through historic towns: Viviers, with its medieval spirit; Bourg-Saint-Andéol, its treasures including a rare sculpture of a Mithraic deity; and Pont-Saint-Esprit. This ViaRhôna stage is packed with heritage treasures, especially religious ones, including cathedrals, chapels and grand clerical residences. Those who love history as well as nature can enjoy their fill. The route takes you along portions of greenway and of quiet roads.

A provisional stretch of the ViaRhôna route has been signposted south from Lapalud, following the Rhône’s east bank through the county of Vaucluse. Cross the agricultural plain to the Canal de Donzère. Next, the route squeezes between the Rhône and parallel motorway, with links indicated to the medieval villages of Mondragon, Mornas and Piolenc and the town of Orange with its grand Roman remains. Fancy a dip in a lake? Try Les Girardes or Li Piboulos before continuing south along a Rhône-side greenway. End gently at the Provençal village of Caderousse, its dykes built to protect it from flooding by the tempestuous Rhône.

This stage combines a gourmet break (Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its famous vineyards), nature discovery (numerous river islands punctuate the route) and history. Leaving the small village of Caderousse, follow the cycle path along the dike, then the Revestidou lake. ViaRhôna then joins the banks of the Rhone counter-canal as a greenway, offering fine views of the Château de Montfaucon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Tour de l'Hers. The route continues along small roads lined with plane trees on the Ile de l'Oiselay as far as the Pont des Arméniers, before returning to the greenway on the Ile de l'Oiselay, a shaded island of greenery. After a few kilometers, the itinerary joins the banks of the Rhône, to cross it by a superb suspended footbridge, facing the Sauveterre dam. Inaugurated in autumn 2023, this structure provides access to Avignon via Barthelasse Island, Europe's largest river island. The arrival is "papal", offering a breathtaking view first of Villeneuve les Avignon, then of the city of the Popes, the majestic Rhône, the famous Pont d'Avignon, and Mont Ventoux on the horizon. This is one of the most beautiful views of Avignon!

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.

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.

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.

The historic town of Arles stands just north of the Camargue. Famed for its Roman monuments, the whole place is steeped in history and packed with art treasures. Leaving town via the Pont Van Gogh (this bridge’s name recalling the time the great Dutch Impressionist spent in Arles), ViaRhôna leads you towards the Rhône Delta along a pretty greenway running beside the Canal d’Arles à Fos. Be aware that the way has not been thoroughly maintained in recent times and can be dangerous between the Fos lock and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. From the latter, a cycle path leads you to the sea and the possibility of a well-deserved swim at beautiful Plage Napoléon. En route, visit the Marais Vigueirat marshes by Mas-Thibert.