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Cycle from Geneva to Lyon on the Via Rhona along the Rhône River

Price per person

From 895€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Geneva, Lyon - France

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Departures

Every Sunday from April to October. Other days for 4 people minimum

Capacity

Minimum 2 persons

Reference

Cyclo 29

Your stay

Cycling on the ViaRhona from Geneva to Lyon

The ViaRhona from Geneva to Lyon is part of a cycle route along the Rhône linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. This is certainly one of the most beautiful stretches of this cycle route, with the Rhone still in its wildest state, giving cyclists plenty to do, all set against a backdrop of mountains, valleys, hillsides, vineyards and parkland. We’ll also suggest a few “off-road” escapades to visit must-see sites such as Pérouges, a superb medieval town, to name but one!

Pedal at your own pace along the “Via Rhôna” greenway. You’ll cross the departments of Haute Savoie, Isère, Ain and Rhône. Take time to appreciate the charm of Geneva before you start your journey.

On this cycling tour, you’ll discover charming traditional villages such as Seyssel, Chanaz and Pérouges. Along the way, it’s up to you to stop and appreciate this land and its treasures: hidden forts, lakes, waterfalls, Roman ruins, flower-filled fields, vineyards… even the smallest hamlets along the Rhône have an unsuspected wealth of history, timeless beauty and a touch of magic…

The route ends in Lyon, a superb city crossed by the Rhône and Saône rivers. Visit Old Lyon, take a stroll over the many road and pedestrian bridges that surround the peninsula, and savour the famous Lyonnais cuisine in one of the bouchons, traditional restaurants not to be missed!

As some stages can be a little long, you can choose to travel by touring bike, electric bike or racing bike.

You'll enjoy :

A very pleasant itinerary along the wildest part of the Rhône river
Crossing the beautiful Ain department
A stopover in the medieval town of Pérouges in the heart of the Dombes region
The end of the trip to Lyon, to be enjoyed without moderation

Back to travel

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Geneva

The first day of the trip is the easiest of all: all you have to do is arrive in Geneva! Settle into your hotel in the heart of the city, then enjoy your free time for sightseeing. Whether you want to stroll through beautiful botanical gardens, shop for world-famous watches, chocolates, Swiss knives or set sail on Lake Geneva, it’s up to you!

Day 2 - Geneva to Seyssel

After breakfast, you’ll meet one of us at your hotel. We’ll explain the itinerary and give you all the equipment you need for your trip. This is where your adventure really begins. It’s the most “arduous” day of cycling of the trip, with some climbs, but also some great descents! The route winds its way southwest, crossing the Swiss border at Chancy into the vineyards and then into Savoie, France, where you’ll spend the rest of your trip. There are many good reasons to stop along the way: remarkable panoramas and historic buildings. You’ll end the day in Seyssel, a surprisingly small village. Your hotel, overlooking the Rhône, offers the perfect place to rest your legs.

Day 3 - Seyssel to Champagneux

Covering a shorter distance, in an almost straight line, with less positive elevation gain, this is an easy day out. Take time to explore Chanaz – the Little Venice of Savoy – and stop in the Roman town of Belley to sample the local cheeses. If you want to add a few kilometers to the day’s itinerary, you can also have lunch in one of the wine cellars on the shores of Lac du Bourget just off the road. The advantage of a self-guided tour is that it’s up to you. Finish off with a meal, a swim and a good night’s sleep in Champagneux.

Day 4 - Champagneux to Pérouges

You can choose between two options: The long route takes you into Isère on quiet country roads. The short option follows the Rhône river as closely as possible, before turning away from it and heading inland. Your destination is a real treasure: the medieval town of Pérouges, a perfectly preserved fortified city.

Day 5 - Pérouges to Lyon

As Lyon has enough attractions to keep you busy for days on end, the short option allows you to reach the city as directly as possible. If you want to take your time, you can picnic in the Parc de Miribel Jonage (one of Europe’s largest urban parks) and enjoy a swim in the Lac des Eaux Bleues. On arrival in Lyon, your options for the rest of the day are endless: from a stroll to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière for the best panoramic view of the city, to a visit to a museum… You can also reward your cycling soul with a delicious meal in one of the city’s typical bouchon restaurants!

Day 6 - Departure

Departure after breakfast

rates

Price per person

6 days – 5 nights: €895

Price includes

5 nights with breakfast (4 in 3* hotel, 1 in 2* hotel) (in double/twin room)
2 dinners (excluding drinks)
Appointment with our local representative
Carnet de route
Map and GPS provided
Luggage transfer at every stage
24/7 support

Supplements

Touring bike: €135
Electric bike: €230
Gravel bike: €165

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:

Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information

Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information

Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:

A VTC bike suited to the tour and the route (men’s and women’s models)

Velo Alpes and Viarhona

An electric bike suited to the course (men’s and unisex models)

VAE Alpes and Viarhona

A road bike

Velo de course Alpes et Viarhona

With equipment :

Bag 1

Repair kit

Anti-theft device

Headset

1 rear bag
1 handlebar bag
1 saddle bag (racing bike)
1 repair kit
1 helmet
1 anti-theft device
1 charger (for electric bike)

The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.

This tour is offered in the “Comfort” category

Hotel categories :

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available: