ViaRhôna, from Geneva to Lyon by bike
A cycling trip along the Rhône in Switzerland and France
© Christian Martelet - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
© Christian Martelet - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
© A. Amiot - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
© OneDayOneTravel - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
© Christian MARTELET - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
© Gilles Brevet - Ain Tourisme
© Abbaye de Talloirs
© A. Stenger - Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Highlights
Lake Geneva, one of the largest lakes in Europe
Geneva: the old town, the cathedral and the Bastions Park
Seyssel, one of the oldest towns in the Rhône valley
The vineyards of Savoie Bugey and the local gastronomy
The fortified city of Pérouges, ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France
Lyon, the city of two hills, famous for its gastronomy
From Lake Geneva to Lyon by bike via the ViaRhôna
Enjoy a great week cycling through the valleys of the Alps and the Bugey. The ViaRhôna offers a route in the middle of nature offering lakes, waterfalls, forests ... The vineyards and the local gastronomy guarantee great moments of conviviality after the effort.
The great ViaRhôna cycling route takes you on a trip through history. A medium of exchange for millennia, numerous traces of civilizations are present on its shores and represent a very rich historical and religious heritage. The Larina archaeological site, a vast rural domain from the end of Antiquity and the site of the Colombier dating from the Neolithic era are the witnesses that justify the name of River of Civilizations given to the Rhône.
Departing from Geneva and Lake Geneva, let yourself be seduced by this city for an afternoon. The old town, the cathedral or the Bastions Park contribute to the many charms of the watchmaking town. On the side of nature it’s also the gateway to the Alps. It offers sumptuous panoramas on Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva. On the lake, you find cruises that take you on a discovery of flora and fauna to extend your stay in the city.
By bike along the Rhône river you ride peacefully through the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, passing in particular at the foot of the Grand Colombier pass, made famous by the Tour de France. In a landscape of small mountains, forests and meadows emerge the vineyards of Savoie Bugey. Take the opportunity to stop at a wine estate for a tasting!
The villages you pass through have retained their authenticity. Let yourself be seduced by the charm of Seyssel, a major place of navigation since antiquity, and of Chanaz nicknamed the little Venice of Savoy because of the presence of the Savière canal.
The Bugey region has many farmers present in the markets, where fragrant and colorful stalls await you. Stop to taste the Bresse poultry, the quenelles with Nantua sauce or the famous cheeses such as Morbier, Comté or Bleu de Gex. The terroir of the Rhône valley is full of gastronomic treasures just waiting to be devoured!
During this cycling trip on the ViaRhôna, we offer you a detour through Pérouges. This village, fortified by its double-walled wall, hides superb medieval architecture. During an evening stroll, you can notice the uneven pebbles covering the soils of the Dombes. Its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses adorned with mullioned windows offer a real historical immersion. Formerly a city of weavers, today it has become a landmark for merchants and artisans.
Leisure
or
Fit
From ANNEMASSE to COLLONGES, VIA GENÈVE
52km
656m
From COLLONGES to CHANAZ
53km
555m
Your itinerary takes you between mountains and valleys and offers you incredible views of the Rhône and its surroundings. During your ride you can admire the waterfalls and lakes lodged between ridges and plateaus. Despite the difference in level of this sporting stage, you enjoy stopping from time to time to discover the local gastronomy and the authentic small towns such as Culoz or Chanaz which punctuate the mountain of Bugey.
From CHANAZ to CHAMPAGNEUX
36km
219m
You ride in the Bugey region. You immerse yourself in a very natural and varied landscape between the majestic Rhône, the Grand Colombier massif and the Lavours marsh. You reach Champagneux and Mont Tournier which majestically dominates the Rhône.
From CHAMPAGNEUX to VILLEBOIS
61km
234m
You cycle through the Pays de Lhuis which presents a wide variety of landscapes: the Haut-Rhône plain, mountainous foothills, generous vineyards. You then ride on the lands of North Isère. Here, through mountains and forests, superb ponds, lakes or marshes are revealed. Discover the village of Morestel, known as the village of painters, whose light has inspired many artists.
From VILLEBOIS to PEROUGES
38km
277m
You cycle along the Rhône to Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey. From there, through the countryside, you head towards Pérouges. This ancient city of weavers keeps behind its ramparts a beautiful medieval architecture. It is classified among the most beautiful villages of France.
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For a few more km
47km
331m
You cross the Pont de Lagnieu to take the direction of the Grottes de la Balme, a labyrinth sheltering underground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites or even an amphitheater of small basins. Allow 1 hour for a self-guided visit.
From PEROUGES to LYON
48km
194m
This stage takes you to the great metropolis of Lyon. Beautiful cycling facilities allow you to make your way to the old quarters pleasantly. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Upstream, this route allows you to enjoy the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage during the day, a historic site born from the development of the Miribel and Jonage canals. The park covers 2,200 hectares, including 350 hectares of water bodies. It is a pleasure to cross this extraordinary natural space by bike.
LYON
End of stay after breakfast.
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 1175€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Quote on request | Contact us
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request | Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double room
- 7 breakfasts
- 1 dinner
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Cycling practical guide including cycling maps, restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Touring BikeThe reliable, practical and comfortable travel bike.
Supplied equipment per bike
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EbikeA high-end electrically assisted bicycle with its Bosch or Shimano crank motor :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Children BikeVTT for children Recommanded for children with a maximum height of 130 cm. VTT for children Recommanded for children with a maximum height of 150 cm. Supplied equipment per bike 1 lock, 1 pump, 1 tube and 1 repair kit. |
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Third Wheel Trailer bikeFor your children height from 115 cm to 130 cm. |
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Children TrailerTrailer for 2 children. Maximum weight in the trailer 35 kg. |
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Getting here
Departure city : ANNEMASSE
Coming by car
- at 5h15 from PARIS
- at 6h from BORDEAUX
- at 1h45 from LYON
Arrival city : LYON
Coming by car
- at 4h30 from PARIS
- at 5h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 0h from LYON
Coming by train
- Lyon train station - 2h from Paris
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Lyon to Geneva in 2h (hotline)
- Return by car in 1h45 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Duration 8 days and 7 nights
Level
Leisure
ou
Fit
Departure date From March 15th to November 8th
Destination
Alps
La ViaRhôna I EV17
Themes
Greenways & Canals
Electric bike trips
Fine wine & Dining
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Expert , 
Aventure 
From ANNEMASSE to LYON
Meeting with our local guide
Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides, at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.