From Lyon to Sète Self-guided Cycling Tour

Arrival in Lyon

Since 1998 Lyon’s old part of town is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Mighty churches, about 30 museums and an excellent food serving industry guarantee a delightful stay.

Lyon - Saint Désirat/surrounding approx. 50-69 km

Already after just a few kilometres the futuristic museum ‚des Confluences’ appears with its spectacular location on an island at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône. There is a lot of traffic in the cities as well as Lyon. We recommend to go by train to Givor (not incl.). You follow the course of your ‚companion’, the river Rhône and soon you reach Vienne where you will stay tonight with its many remains of an ancient Roman colony. You will be impressed by the temple of Augustus and Livia and by the biggest Roman theatre in Gaul. One overnight in Saint Désirat.

Saint Désirat/surrounding – Valence approx. 55 km

The beautifully designed cycle path takes you South again, directly along the Rhône riverbank. World renowned grapes are grown in the surroundings of Tournon sur Rhône. We recommend you have your lunch break in one of the charming villages with their medieval village centres and sample at least one glass of the famous ‚Hermitage’. After that you will soon reach the main town of the Drôme-region called Valence. Also called the ‚Northern Gate to Provence’, it will amaze you with its vibrant town centre full of cafés and restaurants.

Valence – Montélimar approx. 65 km

Effortlessly you cycle through the fertile Rhône-valley. The temptation for ‚petty larceny of food’ is especially high today, since there are peaches, apples and kiwis growing directly along the route. Nevertheless, make sure you also look up and do not miss high up a once proud castle which has sadly crumbled and turned into a ruin, but still keeps a watchful eye over the valley. In today’s Day Finish Montélimar it is all about ‚nougat’, which is produced here in special quality. Temptations from dawn to dusk.

Montélimar – Orange approx. 68 km

You change banks of the Rhône several times over impressive suspension bridges. The cycle path then leads to the former episcopal town of Viviers. Behind the 12th century cathedral, you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Rhône valley. In the floodplain forests that follow, it becomes quiet, nothing can be heard except the whirring of the wheel spokes. In Bourg St. Andéol, picturesque houses from the 16th to 18th centuries characterise the old town directly on the Rhône. Along the way is the small town of Pont St. Esprit, where a 600-year-old bridge with 25 arches stretches impressively over the Rhône. The destination, however, is the town of Orange with its famous Roman theatre and the town foundation arch, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One overnight stay in Orange.

Orange - Châteauneuf-du-Pape – Avignon approx. 35 km

In Caderousse, whose surrounding dykes protect the Provençal hamlet from possible floods of the Rhone, the route goes along the ViaRhôna through the famous wine-growing region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The path leads through the vineyards directly along the slopes and offers beautiful viewpoints over the Rhone valley. In Avignon, we recommend a stroll through the old town with a visit to the Palace of the Popes, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. One overnight stay in Avignon.

Bourg St. Andéol - Orange approx. 50 km

On your final stage you casually cycle through glowing yellow sunflower fields, apple orchards and peach plantations, past tomato- and basil fields. En route, you come across the little town of Pont St. Esprit, known for its 600-year old bridge, whose 25 arches stretch impressively across the river Rhône. You will be staying in the town of Orange with its well-known Roman theatre and the city founding arch, both part of the UNESCO-World Cultural Heritage.

Arles – Aigues Mortes approx. 55 km

You reach the beautiful Camargue region, watch wild horses and pink flamingos. On beautiful cycle paths you reach the majestic town of Aigues-Mortes with its impressive walkable city wall. The battlements with their three corner towers are particularly beautiful, as are the salt mountains of the Salins du Midi. One overnight stay in Aigues Mortes.

Aigues Mortes – Sète approx. 63 km

This easy and cycle-friendly stage marks the end of the ViaRhôna on the Mediterranean, where the beaches await you. First you cycle along the Rhône-Sète canal to Le Grau-du-Roi. Then the route leads along the Mediterranean and the beaches through lively seaside resorts to Sète. Sète is almost completely surrounded by water and is also called the "Little Venice of the Languedoc". Here, an evening stroll can be perfectly combined with a good dinner. One overnight stay in Sète.

Departure or extension

The tour ends after breakfast. Individual return journey.