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  • BE: +32 (0) 2 588 76 91
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Alps riviera

A 7-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 (7) :
4.71 / 5
Reference VR0701
  • Itinerant trip
  • 7 days
  • Moderate
  • From mid April to 8th October
  • Minimum age 12 years
GPSGPS-app available
From
Prices
829€ / 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

    Altitude
    ±270m
    Bike
    46km
    Ride on small countryside roads that lead you to the picturesque town of Chanaz. There, discover the stalls of the craftmen and women of this old harbor along the Canal de Savière.

    Then, you have the choice to reach the spa town of Aix-les-Bains by boat (in July and August only) or to keep cycling with a view over the lake of Bourget, the largest natural lake of France.

    Day 3
     
     

    Aix-les-Bains - Champagneux

    Altitude
    ±374m
    Bike
    48/72km
    Ride on the cycling path along the lake of Bourget: you will not resist to swim into it! After Le Bourget-du-Lac, you have to ride uphill in the Savoy region to reach the famous "Tunnel du chat" which is specially adapted to cyclists. You will not regret it by enjoying the view!
    Then, ride through countryside roads and have a taste of the regional wine around Yenne. You can even discover Belley, the city of the gastronome Brillat-Savarin. You reach Champagneux 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 4
     
     

    Champagneux - 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 (49km, A+ 230m) leads you to the ponds of Mépieu and the charming hamlet of Montagnieu.

    - The long option (68km, A+ 168m) leads you to the medieval city of Morestel and the leisure park of Blue Valley, in Montalieu.

    Day 5
     
     

    Villebois - Pérouges

    Altitude
    ±172m
    Bike
    33-42km
    Ride on the cycling path along the Rhône before crossing the river if you want to reach 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 6
     
     

    Pérouges - Lyon

    Altitude
    ±100m
    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 7
     
     

    Departure from Lyon

    Stroll around the medieval quarter of the Old Lyon with its back laneways, known as "traboules". Experience the "bouchon lyonnais" to taste the famous local gastronomy.

    You can leave the city after breakfast, unless you wish to explore it a bit longer !
  • Accommodation

    • Category B

    You stay in hotels with **/*** standards or 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).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    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.
    If you expect to arrive at the next accommodation before 5 p.m., we recommend that you take an extra set of clothes with you in your bicycle bag.


    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 the itinerary and its points of interests.

    We can provide you with travel documents in paper format (for a supplement of €15 for printing and postage), 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

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


    Our GPS App

    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 concerning the downloading and the use of the application 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.
  • 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.


    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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    7 bike travelers reviews 4.71 / 5

    “ Très satisfait ”

    On the 2022-09-08 by francois
    Très bon choix d'itinéraire, et très bonne sélection d'hôtels et de suggestions de restaurants. J'ai fait maintenant 3 circuits avec Vélo Voyageur et prévois continuer!

    “ Entre montagne et campagne ”

    On the 2021-08-29 by Axel & Mathilde
    Nous avons fait le parcours Seyssel - Lyon sur 8 jours. Le parcours était parfait, quelques petits passages montagneux mais des étapes bien calibrées. De très beaux paysages le long de la ViaRhôna, des hôtels de charme et de nombreux restaurants tout au long du parcours !

    “ via Rhona au top ”

    On the 2021-08-18 by Emmanuel Dubois
    Une excellente organisation et un itinéraire très adapté et bien conçu. Les hébergements étaitent parfaitement adaptés et l’accueil toujours agréable. Les vélos étaient de très bonne qualité

    “ Une belle découverte ”

    On the 2021-08-16 by Béatrice Dominé
    Une première en matière de voyage à vélo. Nous avions choisi des vélos à assistance électrique et compte tenu de la distance parcourue eu 8j : 500kms cela fut apprécié. De beaux paysages, de beaux chemins, de beaux hôtels bref un joli moment de partage entre amis. je recommande.

    “ Sport, découverte, en toute quiétude avec le vélo voyageur ”

    On the 2021-07-31 by François/Josiane
    Rien à redire

    “ ViaRhona tour was great! ”

    On the 2019-04-28 by Glen
    The ViaRhona route was well-thought out and the accomodations were very adequate.

    “ 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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