Via Rhôna Cycling Holiday

7 days

Duration

Moderate

Difficulty

France, Switzerland

Location

April-October

Availability

Cycling on quiet and peaceful paths along the banks of the Rhone River

Beautiful landscapes, with shimmering lakes and fields of wildflowers

Explore the two vibrant cultural cities of Geneva and Lyon

Stay in the picture-perfect villages of Pérouges and Seyssel

Discover charming villages and gastronomic surprises along the way, creating your own daily itinerary

Self-guided cycling holiday along the banks of the Rhone

Cycle from Lake Geneva in Switzerland to France’s gastronomic capital, Lyon. You will follow the well-marked Via Rhôna cycle path as it meanders through the mountains and valleys of the Upper Rhône. Bike through the breathtaking landscapes of the Savoie and the Bugey region; through narrow gorges, vineyards and along tranquil lake shores. You will discover numerous medieval villages along the ancient river, before finally arriving in the elegant historic city of Lyon.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS

€950 per person sharing*

*Price based on 2 people in a double room. A supplement of €50 pp. will apply for twin rooms.
*Discounts available for groups of 3 in a triple room. Please enquire for prices.
*A supplement will apply for solo cyclists.

BIKE RENTAL

If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. Our touring bikes are have a minimum of 21-speed gears. It is also possible to rent an electric bike.

You will receive your rental bike at the start of your holiday and return it before you go home. We deliver the bicycle at your first accommodation (evening of day 1 or morning of day 2) and pick it up from your last accommodation after your last cycling day. You just need to give us your body length, so that you receive the correct bike size, and we take care of everything else.

PRICES:

Hybrid bike: €160
E-bike: €250

Bicycles are equipped as follows:

• Helmet (on request)
• Padlock
• Luggage rack with at least one waterproof side bag
• Handlebar bag for your roadbook/maps
• Water bottle holder
• Repair kit
• Odometer
• GPS (on request)

ACCOMMODATION

All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.

We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included. The standard hotels of this trip are listed below. In case any hotels are unavailable, we will book one of a similar standard and inform you of the change. You can also book additional nights at any of the hotels along the way.

Geneva: Hotel Jade Manotel ***
Seyssel: Hotel Au Fil de L’Eau **
Champagneux: B&B Les Vieilles Portes
Villebois: Chambres d’hôtes A deux pas du Rhéby
Perouges: Hotel la Bérangère **
Lyon: Hotel Le Simplon**

For more comfort, we can upgrade the hotels to 3/4 * category on request (supplement applies, please enquire for details and prices).

AVAILABILITY

You can begin this tour on any day of the week (apart from Friday), subject to availability, from April 1^st to October 31^st

INCLUDED

6 nights in /* hotels, with en-suite bathrooms
6 breakfasts
Luggage transport to the next hotel (1 piece per person, max. 20 kilos)
Detailed route notes and maps with tracks on
Tourist taxes
Pre-departure information pack
24/7 telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Lunches or dinners
Trains or ferries
Anything else not mentioned in the Included section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Bike rental
Upgrade to */** hotels
Single room supplement

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva

Arrive in the stylish and cosmopolitan city of Geneva and get settled into your hotel. Take a pleasant stroll along Lake Geneva – Europe’s largest alpine lake – before enjoying a pre-dinner drink in one of the many lively bars dotted along the banks of the Rhône.

Overnight: Geneva

Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel

Distance: 60 km

This is the toughest day of cycling on the route, as there are lots of ups and downs among the mountains and valleys on your way from Switzerland into France. The stunning views of the Alps make the effort worthwhile though! You will cycle through the spectacular Défilé de l’Écluse passageway, before entering the beautiful wine region of the Rhône-Alpes. Finally, you will arrive at your destination for the night; the charming little town of Seyssel, right on the banks of the Rhône.

This part of the trip will be on some busier roads, but the rest of the week you will cycle on much quieter paths. It is also possible to take the train from Geneva to Seyssel and begin your cycle tomorrow.

Overnight: Seyssel

Day 3: Cycle from Seyssel to Champagneux

Distance: 60 km

Leave Seyssel and cycle between ridges and plateaux on both banks of the Rhone. After about 20 km you arrive in Chanaz, known as the “little Venice of Savoie”. Here you can enjoy a pleasant break in one of the charming restaurants along the Savières canal.

Getting back on your bike, you continue towards Culoz and Belley – peaceful villages with a rich heritage – before finally reaching your accommodation in Champagneux.

Overnight: Champagneux.

Day 4: Cycle from Champagneux to Villebois

Distance: 45 km

Today you will pass through the town of Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, which is famous for its brioche with crushed pink pralines – delicious energy food for the cycle ahead!

Further on, it is well worth taking a short detour towards the village of Glandieu to see its stunning waterfall. You continue to Morestel, known as the “city of painters” and dominated by a tall medieval tower. There are magnificent views over the surrounding countryside form here. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, before finally cycling along a lovely greenway, which links “La Vallée Bleue” to Villebois, where you’ll stay overnight.

Overnight: Villebois

Day 5: Cycle from Villebois to Pérouges

Distance: 60 km

This ViaRhôna stage takes you through the unspoilt countryside of the Bugey region, high above the Rhône. You will pass some really lovely villages this morning: Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey and Sault-Brénaz, as well as the more secretive La Balme-les-Grottes, with its great caves and picturesque centre.

Finally, your destination comes into view as you approach the medieval hilltop village of Pérouges, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Overnight: Pérouges

Day 6: Cycle from Pérouges to Lyon

Distance: 50 km

Your final cycling day along the Rhone follows a cleverly designed route that links the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, including Le Grand Large and Miribel-Jonage. You then enter the beautiful and cultural city itself, still cycling along the Rhône’s banks as you pass through central Lyon. At the Rhône’s confluence with the Saône, you come to a new and exciting city quarter marked by contemporary architecture; the most striking building being the Musée des Confluences.

You have many options for the rest of the day. As well as boasting a wealth of museums and a vibrant cultural scene, Lyon is also renowned as the gastronomic capital of France. Why not reward yourself for completing your cycle with a delicious meal in a petit bouchon; a typical Lyonnais restaurant.

Overnight: Lyon

Day 7: Departure from Lyon

Your Via Rhona cycling holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning. We recommend taking an extra day or two to enjoy a city break in the beautiful city of Lyon.

Arrival in Geneva

	Geneva International Airport is served by many scheduled and low-cost airlines. You could also fly into Lyon Airport and take a train from there to Geneva.
	There are regular direct trains from Lyon to Geneva. The journey takes 2 hrs approx. For timetables and further information look at the website of the SBB

Departure from Lyon

	The Rhônexpress tram shuttle service links Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Lyon’s Part-Dieu train station. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. You can also take the direct train from Lyon back to Geneva, if flying out of Geneva Airport. For timetables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF.
	Car parking information available on request.