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Alps riviera

A 8-day bike trip on the ViaRhôna - from Seyssel to Lyon

Follow the Rhône river on old towpaths and small countryside roads. You will enjoy magnificient views and discover hamlets as well as charming and modern cities. The ViaRhôna is a dream of cycle touring holidays, accessible to all.

Reviews (1) :
4.00 / 5
Reference VR0701
  • Itinerant trip
  • 8 days
  • Moderate
  • From April to October
  • Minimum age 12 years
From
Prices
898€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • Explore the Rhône river and its surroundings! For these cycling holidays, you ride mostly onto the ViaRhona and discover all its secrets. You follow the meanders of the river and enjoy the view over the mountains. If nature will never cease to amaze you, culture and heritage will also be part of the journey!

    Discover the traditionals hamlets and the fishing ports such as Chanaz or Groslée but also the lively spa town of Aix-les-Bains and its lake of Bourget.

    This bike trip along the Rhône river offers you to taste the different local specialities. Whether you are in Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, the "Cité du Gâteau" or in the medieval streets of Pérouges and its sugar pie or in Lyon with the famous "bouchons", you will love your culinary journey!

    Foodies, wine enthusiasts, history buffs, nature lovers: ViaRhôna is for you! Bon voyage!

    Day 1
     
     

    Arrival in Seyssel

    In Seyssel, discover the Rhône as a border between Ain and Haute-Savoie regions. The history of the town is intimately linked to the Rhône river especially through the inland waterways.
    Do not miss the visit of Maison du Haut-Rhône: you will learn more about the history of the town and the river, your travel companion along this itinerary.

    Day 2
     
     

    Seyssel – Aix-les-Bains

    Bike
    45km
    Ride on small countryside roads that lead you to the picturesque town of Chanaz. Discover the treasures of the lively streets of this old harbor along the Canal de Savières. Then, you have the choice to reach the spa town of Aix-les-Bains by boat or to continue by bike having the sight of the lake of Bourget, the biggest natural lake of France.

    Day 3
     
     

    Aix-les-Bains - Belley

    Altitude
    ±280m
    Bike
    38km
    Ride onto the cycling path along the lake of Bourget: you will not resist to swim into it! After Le Bourget-du-Lac, you have to climb the hills of the Savoy region to reach "Tunnel du chat" which is especially adapted to cyclists. You will not regret it by enjoying the view! Then, ride through countryside roads and taste the regional wine. You arrive in Belley, the capital of Bugey region.
     

    Boat option

    Bike
    15km
    If you are afraid of the hills of Savoy region, you can take the boat to Chanaz, directly with your bike. From there, you ride along the banks of the Rhône river on a cycle path to reach the city of Belley.

    Day 4
     
     

    Belley – Guiers region

    Bike
    26km
    Today you will meet two Rhône rivers, the channeled and the wild one. At their junction, raise your head to admire the Chartreuse of Pierre Châtel, a former monastery from the 16th century. Then, you reach Guiers region and have the opportunity to continue your way to Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, nicknamed the "city of the cake". For gourmets, this town is famous for its brioche topped with pralines, yummy!

    Day 5
     
     

    Guiers region - Villebois

    Bike
    49-68km
    Leave Guiers region to arrive to the lake of Cuchet for a relaxing moment. Then, cross the river to reach Glandieu, a village nestled at the foot of the Massif du Bugey: an impressive 60-meter high waterfall awaits you! The bike path goes then to Groslée where you can enjoy a wine degustation of Bugey AOC. From there, you will have the choice between two bike itineraries to reach Villebois:

    - The short option leads you to the ponds of Mépieu and the charming hamlet of Montagnieu.

    - The long option leads you to the medieval city of Morestel and the leisure park of Blue Valley, in Montalieu.

    Day 6
     
     

    Villebois - Pérouges

    Bike
    38km
    Ride onto the cycling path along the Rhône river before reaching the caves of La Balme, where you may have the chance to see bats in their natural environment! You cycle then through countryside roads and stop in charming hamlets such as Chazey-sur-Ain before reaching Meximieux and its lively streets. The medieval city of Pérouges awaits you, do not hesitate to taste its culinar specialty: the famous sugar pie.

    Day 7
     
     

    Pérouges - Lyon

    Bike
    46km
    You reach back the ViaRhôna itinerary by crossing the countryside and the maize fields. On your way, you will see the military camp of Valbonne, a site of ecological interest. Then the route will cleverly link the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including at Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. Enjoy the magnificent cycle route through central Lyon, along the banks of the Rhône river. Welcome in the "capital of the Gauls"!

    Day 8
     
     

    Departure from Lyon

    Stroll through the medieval quarter of Vieux Lyon with its courtyard passageways, known as "traboules". Experience the "bouchon lyonnais" to taste the reputed gastronomy of the region.

    From there, you have the choice to reach back your starting point by
    the regional train or you can also extend your stay.
  • Accommodation

    • Category B

    You stay in hotels with **/*** standards and bed & breakfast. These family hotels welcome you warmly. Breakfast is included.
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).



    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress :
    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.

    GPS tracks
    For this trip, we also provide the GPS tracks on demand in the .gpx format at no extra cost.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy peacefully the itinerary and its interesting sites.
    You will have in your travel documents :
    • a detailed map (A4 format) of the itinerary that we drew at the easiest scale to follow for a bicycle rider
    • a step-by-step description of the itinerary (bound A5 format) giving the direction to follow at each intersection
    • a tourist leaflet containing a brief presentation and useful practical information (opening time, price, contact) about the points of interest along the way

    Example of a map and a step-by-step description

  • Practical information

    • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: flight to Lyon or Geneva, then train to Seyssel.
    • By train:
    • From Geneva : direct inter-regional train from Geneva Cornavin station (city center of Geneva) to Seyssel (about 40 minutes). From Geneva airport station, connection at Genève Cornavin then direct train to Seyssel (about 1h).

    • From Lyon : direct inter-regional train from Lyon Part-Dieu station to Seyssel (about 1h).

    To plan your trip: https://en.oui.sncf/en/


    Parking:

    If you drive to Seyssel, you can park your car directly in a safe and free parking close to your accommodation for the duration of your stay. .


    To get back to starting point:

    Regional trains take you back to your starting point if you wish. They are accessible without booking in advance and bicycles are free. You have to buy your ticket on spot (full rate € 21.40/adult). There are several trains per day. You will find the timetable in your travel documents.

    We can also organise a transfer in a private vehicule on demand.


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling so you arrive whenever you want. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.
     
  • Reviews

    •   Memory of the trip  

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    1 bike travelers reviews 4.00 / 5

    “ Voyage sans encombre ”

    On the 2018-08-02 by Pierre
    Via Rhôna de Seyssel à Lyon : beaux paysages, aucun souci d'organisation ; nous soulignons qu'il y a quelques bonnes montées, et que nous avons apprécié l'usage du vélo à assistance électrique.
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