On the Via Rhôna: Lyon - Montélimar

The route starts on approximately ten kilometers of shared roads where traffic can be heavy. It is therefore recommended to complete this section on a Sunday , or to take the train to Givors with your bicycle as an alternative.

From Lyon, the banks of the Rhône will guide you towards the Musée des Confluences , unless you prefer to cross the modern Confluence district. The rest of the route takes you through Pierre-Bénite and Irigny via a fairly busy road.

Beyond Vernaison , the atmosphere changes: the route becomes more peaceful and varied, between village streets , towpaths , dirt tracks and cycle paths .

In Saint-Romain-en-Gal , you have the opportunity to visit a vast Gallo-Roman archaeological site accompanied by its museum.

The day ends in Vienna , where you return to your accommodation.

Head south along the right bank of the Rhône for a day of unspoiled nature and gastronomic discoveries . You'll pass through remarkable sites such as the Île de la Chèvre and the Île du Beurre nature reserve , true havens for local wildlife.

In Condrieu , be sure to taste the AOC white wine and the Rigotte goat cheese , also an AOC. The route also passes through the prestigious vineyards of Côte-Rôtie in Ampuis and Saint-Joseph in Chavanay .

The Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf dam allows you to reach the Île de la Platière , which you follow to Sablons and its suspension bridge . You then enter the Ardèche region , with a possible stop in Serrières to visit the riverboatmen's museum .

The day ends on the left bank with a visit to Andancette , a village formerly located on the Via Agrippa , a witness to the Gallo-Roman era.

As the kilometers unfold, orchards multiply, influenced by a Mediterranean climate : blossoming in spring, sun-drenched fruit in summer. The route highlights the central role of the Rhône River in irrigating agricultural land, from vineyards and market gardens to orchards .

As you approach Tournon-sur-Rhône , you'll pass through the hills of Crozes-Hermitage , a renowned wine-growing region. A stop in Tournon is highly recommended, especially to visit its medieval castle and museum , which bear witness to the history of the local lords.

A detour via the Marc Seguin footbridge , the first suspension bridge of its kind in Europe, leads to Tain-l'Hermitage . The panoramic view of the river and its banks offers a truly breathtaking moment.

The ViaRhôna then continues towards La Roche-de-Glun , a village built on a rock. In 1968 , the digging of a canal for electricity production transformed it into an island , giving it a unique charm.

You enter the Drôme region and reach Valence , founded as early as 121 BC due to its strategic location on the banks of the river. Enjoying a Mediterranean climate , the city is pleasant to explore by bicycle thanks to its well-maintained cycle paths . The historic center reveals its shopping streets , shaded squares , and several remarkable buildings: the Maison des Têtes (House of Heads), the Maison Dupré-Latour (16th century), and the Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral , renowned for its polychrome decoration. The Museum of Art and Archaeology , completely renovated in 2013, is well worth a visit.

The ViaRhôna takes you back to Ardèche , on the right bank , to Soyons , where an archaeological site and prehistoric caves are open to visitors.

In La Voulte-sur-Rhône , marine fossils bear witness to a distant past.

After crossing a suspension bridge , you cross the island of Printegarde , classified as a nature reserve , an ideal place to observe beavers and migratory birds .

You then leave the Rhône to follow the Drôme river to Loriol .

The ViaRhôna winds its way between orchards and market gardens , planted in the former bed of the Rhône. You pass through several villages dominated by castles or fortified houses , vestiges of a rich medieval past. In Rochemaure , the 12th-century castle , perched on a volcanic dike , illustrates this era of fortifications.

A recently built footbridge allows you to cross the Rhône one last time, at the site of an old suspension bridge from 1858 , which was partially destroyed.

You then enter Provence , arriving in Montélimar , a territory inhabited for over 50,000 years . While the Via Agrippa undoubtedly contributed to its growth, the town is now known for its nougat and its historic center, perfect for strolling.

The stay ends after breakfast . Everyone is free to organize their own departure , according to their program and means of return.