recommended route
Multi-stage route
ViaRhôna, a cycling route alongside the river Rhône
ViaRhôna - A cycling route alongside the river Rhône Verified partner Explorers Choice
-
Saint-Gingolf, point de départ de la Via RhônaPhoto: T. Prudhomme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
ViaRhôna cycle route guides tourists from all over the world, from the alpine mountains to the beaches of the Camargue. 815 km long, and located for the most part along the Rhône, it offers cyclists a diversity of exceptional landscapes.
From alpine panoramas, to the banks of the river and the vineyards that line it, not to mention the crossing of the perched villages and fields of lavender and olive trees of Provence, it's a real "concentrate of France" that is available to lovers of the little queen.
Beyond cycling, ViaRhôna is a great opportunity to discover and enjoy at your own pace the many treasures of the territories crossed. Gastronomy, oenology, culture, heritage, nature will be the main travelling companions of curious tourists.
ViaRhôna is crossing 3 regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, South Region and Occitania), 12 counties and 10 protected reserves or natural areas... It allows those who use it to appreciate 3 UNESCO classified sites (Lyon, Avignon and Arles), and for epicureans, it should be noted that nearly 40 Michelin starred restaurants are located near its route.
The route is relatively flat (no more than 3% difference in altitude, with the notable exception of the first 60 kilometres between Geneva and Seyssel). It is therefore accessible to all.
The ViaRhôna logo, together with its EuroVelo 17 identifier, is shown on the signage.
The entire route alternates between two modes of traffic:
- as a green lane (60%): dedicated solely to cyclists and non-motorised modes of transport;
- in shared lanes (40%) on secondary roads shared with motorists but mostly not very busy.
Author’s recommendation
Be careful between Lyon and Givors, a temporary route is in place (with signage) but can be complicated for families and new-comers.
Train (TER) strongly recommended on this section (Givors <> Lyon).
Track types
Safety information
In case of emergency: 112.
Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
25 stages for an exceptional experience in the heart of the territories:
1: ViaRhôna from Saint-Gingolph to Thonon by Evian
2: ViaRhôna from Thonon to Geneva
3: ViaRhôna from Geneva to Vulbens
4: ViaRhôna from Vulbens to Seysse
5: ViaRhôna from Seyssel to Belley by Chanaz
6: ViaRhôna de Belley in Groslée by St-Genix-sur-Guiers
7: ViaRhôna de Groslée at La Balme-les-Grottes
8: ViaRhôna de La Balme-les-Grottes in Jons
9: ViaRhôna from Jons to Lyon
10: ViaRhôna from Lyon to Saint-Romain-en-Gal / Vienne
11: ViaRhôna de Saint-Romain-en-Gal / Vienne in Sablons
12: ViaRhôna de Sablons / Sarras in Tournon-sur-Rhône / Glun
13: ViaRhôna de Tournon-sur-Rhône / Glun in Valence / La Voulte-sur-Rhône
14: ViaRhôna de Valence / La Voulte-sur-Rhône in Le Pouzin
15: ViaRhôna de Le Pouzin / Cruas à Chateauneuf du Rhône / Viviers
16: ViaRhôna de Viviers / Bourg-Saint-Andéol in Lapalud
17: ViaRhôna from Lapalud to Caderousse
18: ViaRhôna from Caderousse to Avignon
19: ViaRhôna from Avignon to Beaucaire
20: ViaRhôna from Beaucaire to St-Gilles
21: ViaRhôna from Saint-Gilles to Aigues-Mortes
22: ViaRhôna from Aigues-Mortes to Palavas-les-Flots
23: ViaRhôna from Palavas-les-Flots to Sète
24: ViaRhôna from Beaucaire to Arles
25: ViaRhôna from Arles to Port-St-Louis-du-Rhône
Public transport
ViaRhôna is well connected by train
- TER line Geneva - Lyon (Stations served: Seyssel, Culoz, Ambérieu)
- TER line Lyon - Givors - St-Etienne
- TER line Marseille - Avignon - Valence - Lyon
By road
Think about carpooling!
Parking
Many car parks are available along the route.
Coordinates
Equipment
Before you leave:
- Make sure that the bike is in perfect mechanical condition, not to mention the tires and brakes
- Make sure that the bike is correctly adjusted to your body shape
- Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended
- Take a repair kit with you
- Remember that the Highway Traffic Act applies to cyclists in all circumstances
- Never drive more than two lanes at a time and pull into a single lane when traffic conditions require.
- Respect other users as you would like them to respect you
- Choose a route adapted to your physical abilities
- Inform your family and friends of your itinerary
- Find out about the weather conditions
- A first aid kit is not essential, but can be very useful
- Be informed and keep the emergency numbers.
- Respect the environment by not throwing your food packaging on the side of the road
- If you have to return at nightfall, make sure you see and also be seen
Statistics
- 25 Stages
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 ...
Après Thonon-les-Bains, une succession de pistes cyclables et de petites routes vous emmènent à la découverte des villages du Bas-Chablais.
This ViaRhôna stage keeps within the Franco-Swiss border area. You start in the splendid Swiss town of Geneva, beside its famous lake.
This ViaRhôna stage takes you up and down through spectacular scenery, offering splendid views over the Rhône Valley. You go through the dramatic ...
This ViaRhôna stage goes along both banks of the Rhône. This route is provisional. It leads between crests and plateaux, through landscapes marked ...
This ViaRhôna stage meanders through the beautiful Bugey area, between the majestic Rhône and the Lavours Marshes, below the imposing Grand ...
This ViaRhôna stage takes you through unspoilt countryside beside the Rhône. Hidden in the magnificent landscapes of the southern Bugey, with their ...
Aux confins du Bugey, cette étape de ViaRhôna s’écarte légèrement du fleuve pour rejoindre progressivement les Balcons du Rhône, où villages ...
This ViaRhôna stage cleverly links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including at Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. Then enjoy the magnificent ...
Après l’ardente agitation lyonnaise, cette étape de ViaRhôna mène à Givors, puis Saint-Romain-en-Gal. Ce territoire plus qu’un autre, est au cœur ...
Cette remarquable étape de ViaRhôna offre une grande variété de paysages.
This ViaRhôna stage runs between steep vineyards and dense orchards. Heading south from Lyon, this is the first ViaRhôna stage to enter the rugged ...
En quittant le Pays du Tournonais depuis la digue sud de Tournon-sur-Rhône, l'itinéraire ViaRhôna file jusqu'à Glun. Vous découvrirez la ...
Après une halte au port de l'Epervière à Valence, ViaRhôna reprend sa route en Ardèche. Entre grottes et site archéologique, village de caractère, ...
ViaRhôna cycle route continues south towards Cruas. Heritage sites stand out in this area. Cruas Abbey, with its extraordinary medieval ...
Leaving Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, cycle beside branches of the Rhône and pass through historic towns: Viviers, with its medieval spirit; Bourg-Saint ...
A provisional stretch of the ViaRhôna route has been signposted south from Lapalud, following the Rhône’s east bank through the county of Vaucluse.
On quitte le petit village de Caderousse par un itinéraire ViaRhôna provisoire qui nous emmène à la découverte du vignoble de Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Après un dernier coup d’œil sur la cité des Papes, ViaRhôna fait son entrée dans le Gard.
En attendant un aménagement le long du canal du Rhône à Sète, un parcours provisoire jalonné est proposé de Beaucaire à Saint-Gilles.
Entre Saint-Gilles et Gallician, l’itinéraire provisoire entre dans le Grand Site de France de la Camargue Gardoise et vous mènera au Centre du ...
Cette étape marque la fin du périple avec pour récompense la mer Méditerranée et ses plages qui sont maintenant à portée de roues.
From Palavas-les-Flots, close to the bigger city of Montpellier, the itinerary is winding between beaches and saltwater lagoons.
Ce parcours relie deux villes chargées d’histoire : Beaucaire et son port fluvial qui anime le cœur de la ville mérite qu’on s’y attarde avant de ...
Aux portes de la Camargue, Arles et son extraordinaire patrimoine romain invite à s'immerger dans cette ville chargée d'art et d'histoire.
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others