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Highlights
Cycle a section of the legendary Via Rhôna on this 6-day self-guided tour
Experience the thrill of the legendary Via Rhôna cycling route as you ride from Seyssel to Lyon.
Revel in the alpine beauty of this majestic route, cruising the Bugey and the Jura Massif.
Pedal your way along the banks of the picturesque Rhône River, surrounded by breathtaking peaks.
Hop off your bike in Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers to taste the famous brioche pralines, savouring every mouthwatering bite.
Embark on a route that’s been travelled for over 2000 years on the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour. This spectacular 6-day self-guided cycling tour invites you to cycle a section of the legendary Via Rhôna from Seyssel to Lyon as you explore the Upper Rhône Valley.
The Via Rhôna has been guiding cyclists from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean since 1995. The 815km cycling route is part of the famous EuroVelo route. Beginning your tour in Seyssel, you’ll enjoy scenic routes guiding you along the banks of the Rhône, taking in the alpine beauty that carpets this remarkable landscape. As you pedal to villages and towns like Champagneux, Villebois, and Pérouges, you’ll take in the majestic peaks of the Bugey and the Jura Massif.
Each stop along the route will invite you into a world of regional gastronomic discovery, saving the best for last with Lyon, which is synonymous with good food and wine! Celebrate the passing of an epic cycling route with a heavenly farewell dinner in Lyon. Here you’ll scope out the perfect “petit Bouchon” to try the famous Lyonnaise dish “La quenelle,” paired with a superb glass of wine from nearby Beaujolais.
Strike the perfect balance of activity and indulgence on this cycling tour of the Rhône. Book your spot on this fabulous cycling tour today!
Embark on a route that’s been travelled for over 2000 years on the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour. This spectacular 6-day self-guided cycling tour invites you to cycle a section of the legendary Via Rhôna from Seyssel to Lyon as you explore the Upper Rhône Valley.
The Via Rhôna has been guiding cyclists from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean since 1995. The 815km cycling route is part of the famous EuroVelo route. Beginning your tour in Seyssel, you’ll enjoy scenic routes guiding you along the banks of the Rhône, taking in the alpine beauty that carpets this remarkable landscape. As you pedal to villages and towns like Champagneux, Villebois, and Pérouges, you’ll take in the majestic peaks of the Bugey and the Jura Massif.
Each stop along the route will invite you into a world of regional gastronomic discovery, saving the best for last with Lyon, which is synonymous with good food and wine! Celebrate the passing of an epic cycling route with a heavenly farewell dinner in Lyon. Here you’ll scope out the perfect “petit Bouchon” to try the famous Lyonnaise dish “La quenelle,” paired with a superb glass of wine from nearby Beaujolais.
Strike the perfect balance of activity and indulgence on this cycling tour of the Rhône. Book your spot on this fabulous cycling tour today!
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Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Check into your hotel in Seyssel where your cycling adventure on the Via Rhôna will begin. Discover this charming village spliced by the famous Rhône, where all things seem to come in twos! Two city centers (connected by a bridge), two post offices, two churches, two cemeteries…the list goes on! Enjoy this fanciful town in Switzerland, as tomorrow you’re bound for France!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Seyssel
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Chanaz, Culoz, and Belley to Champagneux
This morning following breakfast you’ll set out on a beautiful ride, tracing both banks of the Rhône, your route flanked by ridges and a plateau. You’ll soon arrive in Chanaz, also known as La Petite Venise Savoyarde, where you’ll hop off your bike for a mouthwatering lunch at one of the lovely restaurants on the Savières Canal.
Back on bike, you’ll ride towards the quaint towns of Culoz and Belley, both brimming with charm and heritage. A final ride will then have you cruising into Champagneux, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an evening at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Champagneux
Distance: 60km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, Glandieu, and Morestel to Villebois
With your sights set on lovely Villebois, you’ll ride through several gorgeous villages along the way. First up is Saint-Genix-Sur-Guiers, where it’s obligatory to devour one of their famous brioche pralines! Following your sugar fix, you’ll continue your ride to Glandieu, where you’ll take in a majestic waterfall and find yourself enveloped in a green oasis.
Cross Morestel, pedalling its lovely narrow streets, and then hop on a greenway that links La Vallée Bleue to your home for this evening, charming Villebois.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Villebois
Distance: 45km
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, Sault-Brénaz, and La Balme-les-Grottes to Pérouges
Today’s ride on the Via Rhôna has you pedalling the pristine countryside of Bugey, situated just above the Rhône. An outstanding lineup of idyllic villages are yours to discover today as you ride through Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, Sault-Brénaz, and La Balme-les-Grottes, known for its cryptic caves and vibrant town center.
Soon on the horizon, you’ll spot the hilltop village of Pérouges. Ride towards the beautiful medieval village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in all of France.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pérouges
Distance: 60km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Parks and Lakes of Greater Lyon
Your final day on the bike has plenty in store! Set out for the parks and lakes of Greater Lyon, enjoying a mesmerizing ride characterized by sprawling green trees and sparkling waters. Then, bound for central Lyon, you’ll ride along the banks of the Rhône, soon reaching the river’s confluence with the Saône.
Lyon is your oyster today, and you’ll begin your exploration of this magnetic city in the brand-new quarter that boasts striking contemporary architecture and his home to the famous Musée des Confluences.
Reward yourself following several days on bike with a delicious farewell dinner in Lyon this evening. Scope out an officially certified Bouchon (there are 20 in Lyon!) where you’ll find mouthwatering traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. Buen Appetit!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lyon
Distance: 50km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Departure
Your cycling tour ends this morning following breakfast. Check out and head to the airport to depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Standard accommodation:
Departure on April 1st – October 31st, 2024:
- Single traveller: EUR1150
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR935
- Sharing a twin room: EUR745
- Sharing a double room: EUR685
- Sharing a triple room: EUR630
Comfort Accommodation:
Departure on April 1st – October 31st, 2024:
- Single traveller: EUR1395
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1180
- Sharing a twin room: EUR845
- Sharing a double room: EUR820
- Sharing a triple room: EUR835
Accommodation on the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour
This tour is available with either standard or deluxe accommodations. Hotels and B&Bs on the standard tour are 2-star and 3-star and offer basic conveniences. Hotels and B&Bs on the deluxe tour are 3-star and 4-star and offer modern conveniences.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or you prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
What’s Included in the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Seyssel and after the tour in Lyon are not included but can be added as a supplement. You can also book ahead to extend your stay at any of the overnight locations along the route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation your luggage is included throughout the tour (1 piece per person). Airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Digital route notes and maps
- GPS App
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- Tourist city tax
- 24/7 emergency phone support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Visas if required
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Additional nights before, during, or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- Deluxe hotel option
- Optional activities or excursions
- Printed tour materials (in addition to digital)
- How hard is the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to France?
- Is this a guided tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour?
- Can I stay longer in some of the locations?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Seyssel to start this tour?
- Where does the Rhône River by Bike: Seyssel to Lyon tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- What equipment is included in the bike rental?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to France?
- Are there any travel restrictions for France?
- When is the best time to travel to France for this tour?
We rate this tour a 3/5. You should be comfortable riding up to 60km in a day over terrain that is mostly flat and sometimes gently undulating.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
No. you will be provided with all necessary informaton to complete your self-guided tour.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
5 breakfasts and one dinner are included.
Yes, you can book additional nights in some or all of the overnight locations mentioned in the tour, however, booking an extra day mid-trip might cause the bike rental price to increase. Please contact us and we will be happy to modify your booking.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) or Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS). Seyssel is reachable by train from both airports. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to Seyssel as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends in Lyon. You can reach your departure airport by train. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are SCOTT Sub Cross Men/Lady Alloy Frame 24-speed hybrid bikes or SCOTT E-Sub e-bikes.
The bikes come with a pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to the Upper Rhône Valley for this cycling tour is during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September when there are lighter crowds and temperatures are mild.
Customer Ratings
With 25 years of experience running walking and biking tours in France, S-Cape France has a team full of energy and fresh ideas. Their multinational team can assist in various languages, and their large collection of itineraries means you’ll be able to find your dream adventure in France.
