A 4-day loop bike tour in the Alps Riviera

A 4-day loop bike tour in the Alps Riviera

5.0/5 on 1 Reviews

Leave your problems behind with this short bike trip starting from Aix-les-Bains. Take a real break and explore the treasures of this mountainous region of France around the lake of Bourget.

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Ref: VR0404CO

Alps Riviera
4 day(s)
Moderate
~ 27 km/day
Loop

When travelling?

From April to September

Minimum age

14 y/o

Related categories:

Rivers and Canals

A cycling weekend around Aix-les-Bains and the Bourget Lake

Are you looking for a bike trip with mountain scenery, typical and lively villages such as Yenne or Chanaz and beautiful swimming spots? It is the recipe for this 4-day cycle trip where you will discover all the treasures around Aix-les-Bains, the gem of the riviera of the Alps.
Whether you follow the cycle path of the lake of Bourget, the ViaRhôna bike route, or the small countryside roads, you will be amazed!
To enjoy yourself even more, do not hesitate to stop at the small wine-growers and have a taste of the regional wines, take part in a canoe ride on the canal of Savière or jump on board a boat exploring the largest natural lake of France!

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Program

Day 01

Aix-les-Bains – Belley

41 km
+ 373 m

Take the bike path along the Bourget lake where you will surely not be able to resist the urge to take a dip. After Le Bourget-du-Lac, you will have to climb the few Savoyard reliefs to reach the Cat Tunnel, specially designed for cyclists. Your efforts will be rewarded by the view!
Then stroll through the small country roads and let yourself be tempted by a tasting of Savoyard wines around Yenne and the Gorges de la Balme. You will then reach Belley, the birthplace of the gastronome Brillat-Savarin and capital of Bugey.

Day 02

Belley – Chanaz

Exists in :

18 km
38 km

You have two different programmes for today, the hardest part will be to make a choice:

All-day cycling (38km, A+ 320m): leave the ViaRhôna route to discover the countryside and its charming villages. In Ceyzérieu, visit the marshes of Lavours before cycling to Vongnes where you will find many places to stop by for a wine tasting. The route leads you to the lake of Barterand, a confidential spot only known by the locals. You then get back to the ViaRhôna after and arrive in Chanaz, a lively village where you will learn about the know-how of the crasftmen and women.

- Bike (18km, A+ 78m) + Canoe day: you ride at your own pace the 18km up to Chanaz, following the Rhône river. Then, you can choose to swap your bike for a canoe to discover the canal of Savières and paddle to Conjux and its shaded beach.

Canoë sur le canal de Savière

Embark on a self-guided canoe ride down the Canal de Savière to the Bourget Lake and the shaded beach of Conjux, perfect for chilling and swiming! (This activity requires you to be over 4 years old and able to swim.)

Options:

40,00 € € Canoë 4h (2 pers)
40,00 € € Canoë 4h (2 pers + 1enfant de + 3ans)
28,00 € € Kayak 4h (1 pers)

Day 03

Chanaz – Aix-les-Bains

24 km
+ 226 m

You leave Chanaz and its numerous stalls to follow the ViaRhôna route up to Portout where you will meet the lake of Bourget.

Then you may choose to reach Aix-les-Bains by boat with your bike (in July and August only) or continue your ride with the lake of Bourget in sight, the largest natural lake of France.

Boat cruise on the Bourget Lake and visit of Hautecombe Abbey

Explore the largest natural lake of France during this 1-hour guided cruise and enjoy the view! The boat stops (1h30 to 2h) at the Hautecombe Abbey to discover this magnifient gothic-style structure from the 12th century. Entrance to the abbey (€4.50) to be paid on the spot. (Cruise available every day at 3 pm or 3:15 pm except on Tuesday)

Options:

18,00 € € Croisière escale à l'abbaye
13,00 € € Croisière escale à l'abbaye (enfant de -4 ans)
2,00 € € Croisière escale à l'abbaye (enfant de 4 à 12 ans)
0,00 € € Croisière escale à l'abbaye étudiant

Day 04

Departure from Aix-les-Bains

A last swim in the lake of Bourget or a last small coin in the slot machines of the casino? Be prepared to leave this beautiful region… Unless you decide to have an extra night or enjoy a boat ride?

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Accommodation

Comfort

Convenient stops for cyclists: easily accessible accommodation, essential comfort, and immediate proximity to bike paths or village centers.

Breakfast
2/3 stars

*Typical example of accommodation corresponding to the proposed category. These photographs are for illustrative purposes only.

Equipment

For this trip, bicycles are equipped with 2 waterproof saddle bags with a 10 to 20 L capacity each to carry your luggage. Do not forget to put your items in a soft travel bag to be able to place it easily in your saddle bags.

For more comfort, you can choose to add luggage transport in your booking:

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'll need during the day (included in your bike rental).
We advise you to take an extra set of clothes with you if you expect to arrive before 5 p.m. at your accommodation.

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

On your arrival day, we provide you with:

a touring bike adjusted to your size;

equipment: a front panier, a saddlebag (or two if luggage transport is not included), a helmet (on demand), complete repair tool kit, lock.

We also offer on this trip:

electric assisted bikes for adults (+1m55);
children bikes / equipment depending on their sizes;
gravel bikes (with a 12L saddle bag only).

You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a discou

For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee). You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way. -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details regarding the download and use of the app will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.

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 with all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests. We can send printed travel documents (extra cost of €15 for printing and postage, in France only), which include:

a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike;
a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest.

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Information

Beginning of the trip

Your first day is a cycling stage. Your bikes will be available from 9 am at our partner hotel. If you have chosen the luggage transport option, you must drop them off at the same hotel before 9:30 am.

To get to the departure point

By plane: flight to Paris, Chambéry, Lyon or Geneva.

By train: Aix-les-Bains train station is well connected to the railway network and you can easily access the station from many cities in France and Europe. For instance from Paris: duration 3h15; from Lyon: duration 1h10; from Geneva: duration 1h05. To plan your trip : https://www.thetrainline.com

Car park

If you drive to Aix-les-Bains, you can park at your accomodation (subject to availability) or next to your hotel. The location and contact details of the car parks will be given in your travel documents.

To get back to the starting point

Your trip starts and ends in Aix-les-Bains.

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5.0/5 on 1 Reviews

From

495 €/pers.

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Offer this stay

Ref: VR0404CO

Alps Riviera
4 day(s)
Moderate
~ 27 km/day
Loop

When travelling?

From April to September

Minimum age

14 y/o

Related categories:

Rivers and Canals

Tried and tested stays!

Experience
15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
Tested & Approved
The whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
Quality of service
A dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
Secure payment
Individual or fractional payment by secure means via our website

They've just returned from their travels!

The 19/05/2023

5/5

« A beautiful and peaceful ride through the Alps foothills and along the Rhone »

Our four-day loop through the Savoie foothills and along the Via Rhona was just what we hoped it would be. Easy to moderate biking, mostly on quiet country roads and bicycle trails. (There was one unavoidable highway stretch through a gorge, but the drivers were generally considerate.) The bikes (hybrids) were in great condition, the hotels comfortable and the scenery wonderful. The logistics for bike delivery and baggage transfer went smoothly. Highlights included the Tunnel du Chat (bike/pedetrian tunnel through a high ridge), the loop visiting the marsh lands and a local wine producer (which we did as a full day trip), and wandering around the small town of Chanaz. Highly recommended if you'd like a trip without too many other tourists!

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Jason Marks.