From Crémieu, follow the ViaRhôna towards Jons, where the Rhône approaches. Along the way, the Jons lock marks a strategic point on the canal. At Jonage, the canal provides an ideal backdrop for observing local wildlife, before entering the Miribel-Jonage park, a vast natural area with lakes and water sports activities. This site, originally designed as a drinking water reserve for Lyon, is now a popular destination for walkers. After crossing the park, you reach La Feyssine, a haven of greenery where joggers and migratory birds mingle. Along the banks of the Rhône, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Fourvière basilica. In Lyon, explore Vieux Lyon and its traboules, discover the museums and taste the local cuisine in one of the famous bouchons.
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 or 
Expert Day 2
From ANNEMASSE to COLLONGES 42km 471m 
Start from Annemasse and take the greenway to Geneva, before following the Rhône to Collonges. This border stage between Switzerland and France takes you along small roads and greenways through the vineyards of Geneva. This stage ends at the foot of the Alps in Collonges. A small village with a well-preserved historical and natural heritage, located on the right bank of the Rhône.
Day 3
From COLLONGES to CHANAZ 53km 645m
Leaving Collonges, follow the ViaRhôna towards Chanaz for an itinerary combining nature and heritage. At Chevrier, admire the meadows that stretch out at the foot of the mountains before reaching the spectacular défilé de l’Écluse, an impressive passageway between sheer cliffs. Pass through Arcine and Clarafond-Arcine, renowned for their wine-growing hillsides, before arriving in Seyssel, a town classified as a “green resort” for its commitment to tourism, where you can stroll along the quays and enjoy the view of the Rhône from its emblematic bridges. Continue on to Serrières-en-Chautagne, a peaceful village surrounded by farmland, before heading into the cool of the Chautagne state forest, a must-see woodland for nature lovers. Finish your journey in Chanaz, a classified “Petite Cité de Caractère”, famous for its canals and friendly atmosphere, the perfect way to round off this beautiful stage.
Day 4
From CHANAZ to CHAMPAGNEUX 36km 154m
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.
By another road
From CHANAZ to CHAMPAGNEUX 55km 1391m
On this sporty route, you begin your journey by following the Savières canal linking the Rhône to Lac du Bourget. You can admire beautiful river scenery, pleasure boats and maybe even spot some local birds. From the top of the cycle route, you have a bird’s eye view of Hautecombe Abbey, an architectural gem. This Cistercian abbey has a peaceful atmosphere and is home to the tombs of members of the Savoy royal family. Get ready for a climb, as you will now be climbing the Col du Chat. This mountain pass offers spectacular views of Lac du Bourget and the Alps. After enjoying the views, you descend towards Champagneux.
Day 5
From CHAMPAGNEUX to VILLEBOIS 65km 289m
From Champagneux, the ViaRhôna takes you along the Rhône to Brégnier-Cordon, a peaceful village with uninterrupted views of the Bugey mountains. Further on, the Cuchet lake reveals a natural setting where the vegetation mingles with the reflections of the water, before you reach the Glandieu waterfall, an impressive site where the water rushes 60 metres into a lush setting. This natural spectacle is one of the highlights of the route. The route then crosses the French Haut-Rhône nature reserve, a sanctuary for local wildlife, where you might spot kingfishers or dragonflies as the water flows by. Continuing on, you arrive in Morestel, famous for its medieval streets and its history linked to painters. Finally, the route reaches Montalieu-Vercieu, before finishing at Villebois, in a landscape where the Rhône is surrounded by cliffs and forests.
Day 6
From VILLEBOIS to CRÉMIEU 38km 353m
From Villebois, follow the ViaRhôna towards Saint-Sorlin-en-Bugey, a charming village dominated by limestone cliffs. Continue on to La Balme-les-Grottes, where you can visit the La Balme caves, famous for their galleries, majestic chambers and underground pools (open weekends and school holidays from 1.30pm to 5pm, closed from mid-December to mid-February). Continue on to the Val d’Amby, a fertile plain surrounded by hills, ideal for a break. Climb up to Châtelans, with its fine panoramic views, before reaching Annoisin-Chatelans, a rural village where the authenticity of the Bugey region is revealed. The route ends in Crémieu, listed as a remarkable heritage site, famous for its medieval market halls and ramparts.
- For a few more km 75km 573m
Climb up to Pérouges, a medieval town listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Stroll along its cobbled streets, lined with stone houses dating back to the 15th century, and discover its fortified church and ramparts offering uninterrupted views over the Ain plain. Don’t forget to try a galette de Pérouges, a sweet local speciality.
Day 7
From CRÉMIEU to LYON 58km 241m
Day 8
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.
Accommodation example
Starting from 1165€/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)
- 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.
- 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.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Touring BikeThe reliable, practical and comfortable travel bike.
Supplied equipment per bike
|  |
EbikeA high-end electrically assisted bicycle with its Bosch or Shimano crank motor :
Supplied equipment per bike
|  |
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. |  |
Third Wheel Trailer bikeFor your children height from 115 cm to 130 cm. |  |
Children TrailerTrailer for 2 children. Maximum weight in the trailer 35 kg. |  |
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
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
|
| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Duration 8 days and 7 nights
Level Leisure ou Fit ou Expert
Departure date From March 15th to November 8th
Destination Alps
EuroVelo 17
La ViaRhôna I EV17
Switzerland
Themes Greenways & Canals
Electric bike trips
Fine wine & Dining
Starting from
See detailed prices
See detailed prices
Personalized service 
Aventure
Easy , 
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.