Plutôt véloroute qu'autoroute : 1000 km de Paris à la Méditerranée !
Un grand voyage pour rejoindre la Méditerranée depuis Paris à vélo : exit l'autoroute du soleil, place à la « véloroute du soleil » !
Au fil de 3 fleuves et une rivière, rejoignez la mer directement à vélo depuis la capitale. Voguez de la Seine au Loing avant de rejoindre la Loire, puis après une traversée des Monts du Lyonnais, reliez le Rhône pour le suivre jusqu'à la "grande bleue" !
Départ : Paris
Arrivée : Méditerranée
Distance : 1000 kilomètres
Balisage : 5 itinéraires
- La Scandibérique (Paris > Briare)
- La Loire à Vélo (Briare > Nevers)
- EuroVelo 6 (Nevers > Paray-le-Monial)
- Véloire (Paray-le-Monial > Montrond-les-Bains)
- ⚠️ non-balisé (58 km / Montrond-les-Bains > Givors)
- ViaRhôna (Givors > Mer Méditerranée)
Au fil de la Seine et du Loing
- Section : Paris > Briare, 206 km
- Balisage : La Scandibérique / EuroVelo 3
- Voir le tracé de cette section
Au départ direct de Paris à vélo, cap au sud-est ! Au fil de la Seine puis du « Loing » et enfin du Canal de Briare, entre rivières, forêts et villes au riche patrimoine médiéval, pédalez sur une alternance de petites routes et de chemins de halage en suivant les méandres de rives boisés. En chemin, Fontainebleau, son château royal et sa forêt splendide méritent le détour. Plus au sud, découvrez Montargis avec ses 132 ponts et passerelles puis enfin, Briare et son célèbre pont-canal qui marqueront votre arrivée sur La Loire à Vélo.
Au fil de la Loire
- Section : Briare > Montrond-les-Bains, 366 km
- Balisage : La Loire à Vélo, EuroVelo 6, La Véloire
- Voir le tracé de cette section
Filez le long du fleuve royal sur près de 400 km par trois itinéraires qui se font le relai pour vous guider au rythme de cités de caractère et batelières, de célèbres vignobles ou de ponts-canaux. En chemin, découvrez Sancerre et ses vignes, le Bec d'Allier et son panorama sur la confluence entre Loire et Allier ou encore Charlieu, cité médiévale aux maisons à colombages qui abrite une Abbaye Bénédictine.
💡 À partir de Montrond-les-Bains jusque Givors, voir notre recommandation ci-dessous.
Au fil du Rhône jusqu'à la mer
- Section : Givors > Méditerranée, 370 km
- Balisage : ViaRhôna
- Voir le tracé de cette section
Un parcours en pente douce au fil de la vallée du Rhône, en majorité sur voies cyclables, étreint par la Drôme d'un côté et l'Ardèche de l'autre, avant de rejoindre le Vaucluse. Gastronomie et patrimoine seront de la partie : vignobles à flanc de montagnes, monuments médiévaux et bien sûr spécialités culinaires locales (nougats, châtaignes...) ! Depuis la Cité des Papes, les vignobles, vergers, marais et salins s'enchaînent avant de laisser place au golfe d'Aigues-Mortes et ses étangs littoraux.
💡 À partir d'Avignon, plusieurs destinations possibles : voir nos propositions ci-dessous.
Tailor-made itineraries
Tailor-made itineraries
13 Bondy / Corbeil-Essonnes
From Bondy, the Scandibérique leads you boldly southwards along the Seine, through a mix of natural and industrial landscapes, offering a surprising way to cross Paris by bike! At the Rotonde de la Villette, you switch from following the Canal de l’Ourcq to riding beside the Canal St-Martin. Further southeast, the confluence of Seine and Marne Rivers is marked by the startling hotel complex Huatian Chinagora, built along the lines of Beijing’s Forbidden City. Note the industrial heritage visible alongside the cycle path, many old factories converted to new uses: the Saint-Raphaël Factory has become an offshoot of the University of Paris VI, the Eaux de Paris waste-water works a depot for Paris’s spare art works, while the former EDF Coal-fired Power Station, the Rhône-Poulenc Factory and the Hollander Factory are now home to a theatre company and artists’ studios! Reaching Vitry-sur-Seine, admire the Pont du Port à l’Anglais, completed in 1928, replacing the former ferry that linked the banks of the Seine here. At Choisy-le-Roi, take in the old Choisy train station dating from the first half of the 19th century. Note that there’s a ‘service station’ specifically for cyclists on the quays of Choisy’s industrial port!
14 Corbeil-Essonnes / Melun
After passing the big former Seine-side mills in the town of Corbeil-Essonnes, the Scandibérique then leads you south along calm riverside stretches, the Seine’s broad meanders lined with woods, the way well shaded. As there are no bridges over the Seine along these parts, this stage proves more peaceful than the preceding ones. Following the Seine’s west bank up to the town of Melun, you pass by some remarkable homes built at the turn of the 19th to the 20th centuries, recalling how prized the banks of the Seine had become for getting away from the city bustle. Many painters, writers, actors and stars were tempted by the charms of these parts to come and stay here!
15 Melun / Fontainebleau
This stage offers a symphony of blues and greens, as you ride between the Seine and the vast Fontainebleau Forest. Cycling between these waters and woods proves a treat for the eyes, and for the lungs, as you breathe in the clean air. The Bois-le-Roi outdoor leisure centre provides an ideal spot at which to unwind a while. A bit further on, Samois-sur-Seine is one of the most beautiful villages in the Ile-de-France Region, a joy to behold… and, should you pass through in June during the Django Reinhardt Festival, a thrill for the ears. The royal town of Fontainebleau counts as a great spot for a stopover; leaving the next morning you’ll feel you’ve topped up your red blood cell count the previous day!
16 Fontainebleau / Nemours
At the level of St-Mammès, you shift from the Seine to follow the Canal du Loing. This stage is quieter than the previous one, but the surfacing is rough in parts. Moret-sur-Loing has a bike museum at which cyclists along the Scandibérique may wish to pay homage, while Nemours is proud of its very complete museum dedicated to prehistory in the Ile-de-France Region. Both towns boast a remarkable medieval heritage and are well worth a proper stop. Riders, do make the most of a pause along the charming Canal du Loing before heading further south along the Scandibérique cycle route.
17 Nemours / Montargis
The Scandibérique continues through the Gâtinais area, along the towpath beside the Canal du Loing. This canal crosses gentle landscapes, with a mix of woods, fields and lakes. At the level of the hamlet Les Varennes, to enjoy a recreational break, ride over to the outdoor leisure centre at Souppes-sur-Loing, bathing here a treat on hot days. Also consider a detour to the historic fortified town of Château-Landon, with its interesting heritage. After the hamlet of Pont de Dordives, the cycle route reaches Buges Lock, where the Loing, Briare and Orléans Canals meet. Ride on to the town of Montargis, nicknamed the ‘Little Venice of the Gâtinais’.
18 Montargis / Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses
Leaving Montargis, you change canal, the Scandibérique leading you on via the towpath beside the Canal de Briare. The Loing River meanders on by next to the canal, providing a green setting along this most peaceful of stages. Greet the lock-keepers and those on boats on the canal as you head down this friendly waterway, the route dotted with charming Gâtinais villages. You reach the highlight of this stage of the Scandibérique adventure at Rogny les 7 Écluses, the name giving away the reason for this village’s fame – its flight of seven locks! Do pause here for a picnic, taking in the grand view.
19 Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses / Briare
From Rogny-les-7-Écluses, the Scandibérique continues to follow the course of the Briare Canal, first taking you beside the Étang-Neuf supply channel running parallel to Rogny’s flight of seven locks. While waiting for the definitive route, a provisional route guides you between Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses and the place called "Le Petit Chaloy". Engineering constructions put in place for the benefit of the canal’s boatmen are dotted along this stretch, which proves a delight for nature lovers too. Briare is renowned for its historic bridge-canal and its boating tourism, plus it’s the place where the Scandibérique joins the Loire à Vélo route, in a picture-postcard setting!
7 Beaulieu-sur-Loire / Briare
Travel by waterway has pride of place along this beautiful stretch of the Loire à Vélo. The highlight is Mantelot Lock by Châtillon-sur-Loire, where boats once gathered to cross the Loire, before the construction of the canal-bridge at nearby Briare. Lock and canal-bridge are both splendid constructions not to be missed. This section is easy, mainly on greenways.
6 Sancerre / Beaulieu-sur-Loire
This Loire à Vélo stage, going along the eastern edge of the old French province of Berry, alternates between stretches beside the wild Loire and others alongside the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Between Léré and Belleville-sur-Loire, the heritage of centuries of river trade is everywhere to be seen. This stage is very easy, mainly sticking to greenways.
5 Pouilly-sur-Loire / Couargues / Sancerre
This is a short, easy Loire à Vélo stage, encouraging you to enter Sancerre’s glorious hilly countryside and taste its famed wines. Here you can mix cycling with gastronomy and oenology, of course making sure you drink in moderation! A detour up to the historic town of Sancerre itself is highly recommended.
4 La Charité-sur-Loire / La Chapelle-Montlinard / Couarges / Pouilly-sur-Loire
L’île du Faubourg, an island at La Charité-sur-Loire, provides an exceptionally scenic view of the Loire, on the frontier between Burgundy and Centre-Val de Loire, both regions famed for their wines. On this Loire à Vélo stretch through the heart of the Val de Loire Nature Reserve, enjoy the river’s wonderful shifting light. This stage is very easy, mainly on greenways.
3 Marseilles-lès-Aubigny / La Chapelle-Montlinard / La Charité-sur-Loire
This EuroVelo 6 stage leads you to the splendid riverside town of La Charité-sur-Loire, with its fabulous basilica and strong literary links. The route is easy and offers an inspiring concentration of Loire nature, culture and heritage. There are cycle tracks practically all the way along. Enjoy the exceptional views down on the Val de Loire Nature Reserve too.
2 Cuffy / Marseilles-lès-Aubigny
This Loire à Vélo stage runs for some way right beside the Canal Latéral à la Loire, then moves onto a raised levée to reach Marseilles-lès-Aubigny. This charming port is a great spot to stock up on provisions, what with its shops, giving you a boost to continue cycling. This is a very easy stage, mainly along greenways.
1 Nevers / Cuffy
Near the majestic Bec d’Allier (where the Allier River joins the Loire), Le Guétin’s canal-bridge makes quite an impression on this EuroVelo 6 stage leading on via Cuffy to the Loire à Vélo cycle route. The Canal Latéral à la Loire then acts as a link between Burgundy and the Loire Valley. This charming stage, starting at the unique city of Nevers, with its many services and shops, is almost entirely on greenways.
15 Decize / Nevers
Never say “never Nevers”! But don’t forget to branch off along the Canal d'Embranchement rather than getting carried away and continuing on to the Loire à Vélo by EuroVelo 6! From Decize’s Port de Jonction to that at Nevers, you just need to stick closely to the Canal Latéral à la Loire and the Canal d’Embranchement, then enjoying a splendid arrival in the ducal town of Nevers via its bridge over the Loire. Along the way, tuck into a hearty meal in the irresistible setting of Fleury-sur-Loire’s guinguette (an outdoor riverside restaurant). After Nevers, cyclists lucky enough to have the time and determination can continue on their cycling route towards the Atlantic… as part of another cycle route adventure!
14 Bourbon-Lancy / Decize
This stage tackles the hills of the Bourbonnais area, and runs with the Loire River, taking you towards the Canal du Nivernais. You ride past meadows with grazing white Charolais cows, enjoying beautiful views and lovely places to stop beside the Loire. The tranquillity of the countryside is only broken by the odd mooing, or the sound of a tractor. Having plunged into the heart of the Nivernais countryside and the wilder side of the Loire, you reach the stage’s destination, Decize. The historic centre of this town is on an island in the Loire, set between the Canal Latéral à la Loire, the Canal du Nivernais, the Aron River and the Vieille Loire, an old branch of the great river. It makes for an extraordinary confluence to explore, by foot, to get to the top of the ramparts.
13 Paray-le-Monial / Bourbon-Lancy
The waters of the Bourbince and the Canal du Centre run close to the centuries-old monastery of Paray-le-Monial, all providing a wonderful setting for a rest. After taking your time to explore the town’s parks, museums and monuments on foot, absorbing the calming atmosphere, time to ride off along EuroVelo 6. A couple of highlights on this watery stage are two remarkable navigable aqueducts, at Bourbince and Digoin. As to Bourbon-Lancy, you reach this thermal spa town with a rich history going back to medieval times via a cycle path running alongside the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Along the way, enjoy the traditional hedge-divided patchwork of fields of the Charolais bocage, passing verdant meadows and traditional villages. Come dinner, local dishes, especially those featuring Charolais beef, will help exhausted cyclists regain their strength.
4 Iguerande / Paray-le-Monial
On its final stage, the Véloire route unfolds like a green ribbon across the Brionnais area. Keeping beside the wild Loire, this magnificent stretch is tarmacked and offers wonderful glimpses onto very diverse natural environments. The peaceful town of Paray-le-Monial makes a perfect stopover for a rest before continuing your cycling adventures along the Canal du Centre and EuroVelo 6. In town, the splendid Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is a place of major Catholic pilgrimage well worth a visit.
3 Roanne / Iguerande
The Véloire cycle route now leads you very peacefully into southern Burgundy. Don’t forget to buy a praluline brioche for your pannier before heading off gently along the Canal de Roanne à Digoin greenway. Riding along the former towpath, you go from one lock to the next. As you continue, you reach tarmacked stretches. The renowned Charolais breed of cow becomes a common sight in the fields, underlining the bucolic, rural nature of this stage. This part of the Brionnais area reveals the richness of Burgundy’s architectural legacy. In the Pays du Sornin, a link can take you to Charlieu, designated a Petite Cité de Caractère, the centre dominated by a beautiful old Benedictine abbey. Do try the local culinary specialities: Charlieu andouille (chitterling sausage) and François Pralus’s praluline (a brioche containing caramelized nut pralines).
2 Balbigny / Roanne
Your journey along the Véloire cycle route continues with this stage, the great wild river your companion for most of the way. Crossing the villages of Pinay, Saint-Jodard, Bully and Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice, appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of the Roannais countryside. Taking you along often shaded roads with little traffic, this stage offers a mix of unspoilt nature and rich cultural heritage, the Château de la Roche providing a fine example, on the Loire itself. The boating river ports of Bully, then Roanne, are two obvious stops to enjoy.
1 Montrond-les-Bains / Balbigny
While awaiting the extension of the Véloire further up the Loire, Montrond-les-Bains is the entry point to this cycle route following the upper stages of the longest river in France. This riverside thermal resort looks impressive, with its Renaissance castle perched above town. Here, you’re in the Forez area, known for gentle good living. The cycle route leads you off on minor roads across the bocage ligérien, hedgerows dividing this area’s pastures, past countless lakes on the way to Feurs. This town was a strategic spot in Gallo-Roman times, and capital of the Segusiaves tribe; the place stands at a crossroads between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon and halfway between Roanne and Saint-Etienne. Its racecourse is highly regarded, in an area known for its stud farms.
11 Saint-Romain-en-Gal / Vienne / Sablons
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.
12 Sablons / Sarras / Tournon-sur-Rhône / Glun
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.
13 Tournon-sur-Rhône / Glun / Valence / La Voulte-sur-Rhône
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.
14 Valence / La Voulte-sur-Rhône / Le Pouzin
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.
15 Le Pouzin / Cruas / Châteauneuf-du-Rhône / Viviers
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.
16 Viviers / Bourg-Saint-Andéol / Lapalud
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.
17 Lapalud / Caderousse
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.
18 Caderousse / Avignon
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!
19 Avignon / Beaucaire
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.
20 Beaucaire / St-Gilles
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.
21 Saint-Gilles / Aigues-Mortes
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.
22 Aigues-Mortes / Palavas-les-Flots
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!
Infos pratiques
⚠️ Section non balisée
Entre Montrond-les-Bains et Givors, pour relier La Véloire et ViaRhôna, aucune véloroute n'existe à l'heure actuelle et le tracé n'est donc ni balisé ni sécurisé. De petites routes à faible trafic et des chemins carrossables peuvent cependant être empruntés sur cette section de 58 kilomètres.
Voir notre proposition de trajet issu de notre calculateur vélo (vélo de voyage / VTC / gravel recommandé) :
- Tracé non balisé Montrond-les-Bains > Givors, 58 km
💡 Différentes destinations à partir d'Avignon :
De Givors, vous pouvez rejoindre Avignon en suivant ViaRhôna. Une fois à Avignon, il est possible de continuer à pédaler ou de prendre le train vers différentes destinations sur le littoral :
🚴 D'Avignon à Montpellier à vélo :
Emprunter ViaRhôna jusque Sète, puis la liaison vélo de Sète à Montpellier (voir le tracé - 140 km)
🚉 D'Avignon à Marseille en train :
Aucun itinéraire vélo balisé / sécurisé entre Avignon et Marseille à ce jour
Trajet en train : TER direct Avignon > Marseille, 1h15
🚉 D'Avignon à Toulon en train :
Aucun itinéraire vélo balisé / sécurisé entre Avignon et Toulon à ce jour
Trajet en train : 2 TER avec correspondance à Marseille, 2h30
🚉🚴 D'Avignon à Nice en train + vélo :
Trajet en train jusque Toulon : 2 TER avec correspondance à Marseille, 2h30
À partir de Toulon : emprunter la Véloroute littorale (~250 km)
🚉 Retour en train vers Paris :
Les solutions pour revenir à Paris en train, avec votre vélo non démonté, depuis ces destinations :
De Montpellier vers Paris :
De Marseille vers Paris : ligne Intercités de nuit Paris <> Nice, place vélo payante
De Toulon vers Paris : ligne Intercités de nuit Paris <> Nice, place vélo payante
De Nice vers Paris : ligne Intercités de nuit Paris <> Nice, place vélo payante
⚠️ Les places vélo non-démontés sur la ligne Intercités de nuit Paris <> Nice sont très limitées.
