8-day Rhône River Cycling Holiday (Part 3)
Self-guided Lyon to Orange bike tour
- Lyon; the French capital of Gastronomy
- Cycle along the Rhône valley with its rich history,nature and gastronomy
- Enjoy the scents of `La Provence´
- Orange; an impressive and ancient historical city
Start: Lyon Finish: Orange
Arrival in the beautiful city of Lyon. Your options for the rest of the day are endless. Walk to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière for a great view in town, shop, visit a museum, or see the typical Halles de Lyon Market, you can also reward your soul of cyclist with a delicious meal in a "petit bouchon", authentic restaurant in the "French capital of gastronomy"!
After buzzing Lyon, the itinerary leads through the towns of Grigny and Givors, on to St-Romain-enGal. The historic importance of navigation is clearer here than anywhere else along the Rhône. Museums at St-Romain-en-Gal and Vienne give a good picture of the river’s rich history, from classical to contemporary times.
Challenge: 33km / 20 mi, 80m ascent, 95m descent
This remarkable cycling day offers a great variety of landscapes. From Vienne, once an ancient capital of Roman Gaul, to the nature reserve of L’île au Beurre, bearing witness to the Rhône’s wild side, via steeply terraced vineyards, including the prestigious Côte-Rôtie, and the first major orchards along the Rhône Valley, this stage will delight those interested in history, nature and gastronomy.
Challenge: 33km / 20 mi, 20m ascent, 40m descent
Your itinerary today runs between steep vineyards and dense orchards. Heading south from Lyon, this is the first ViaRhôna stage to enter the rugged Ardèche, a beautiful département (or French county) on the mighty Rhône’s west flank. Here, the tamed river supports orchards, market gardens and vines producing top-class Saint-Joseph wines. Arriving in Tournon-sur-Rhone enjoy a pleasant break laden with Gallo-Roman history.
Challenge: 61km / 38 mi, 40m ascent, 55m descent
After a halt at Valence’s southern river port of L'Epervière, your route leads you back onto the western, Ardèche bank of the Rhône. The Ardèche is known for its exceptional caves, archaeological sites, characterful villages, châteaux and nature reserves. Continuing south along ViaRhôna and cycle on the recent Himalayan-style footbridge at Rochemaure is a great experience, built using the pillars of the Vieux Pont, it is an historic bridge over the Rhône. Here you are at the gates of Provence: "Montélimar" where a human presence has existed for more than 50,000 years. Renowned for its nougat, Montélimar is a pleasant town where it is good to stroll in the old city center.
Challenge: 71km / 44 mi, 20m ascent, 60m descent
Leaving the beautiful city of Montélimar, cycle beside branches of the Rhône and pass through historic towns: Viviers, with its medieval spirit; Bourg-Saint-Andéol, its treasures including a rare sculpture of a Mithraic deity. Today your short itinerary is packed with heritage treasures, especially religious ones, including cathedrals, chapels and grand clerical residences. Those who love history as well as nature can enjoy their fill.
Challenge: 28km / 17 mi, 20m ascent, 50m descent
Today is your last cycling today, and not just anyone. The program of the day : Pedaling through a impressive nature with the scents of Provence and across the charming village of Pont-Saint-Esprit. In the afternoon you reach the beautiful city of Orange. Of the numerous Roman buildings and monuments originally built, you still can see parts of the City Wall, the Arc de Triumph and the Theatre (UNESCO heritage), the stage wall of which the Sun King, Louis XIV, described as the most beautiful wall in his country.
Challenge: 51km / 31,5 mi, 30m ascent, 60m descent
End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the history city of Orange.
All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included.
You can book this trip with upgraded hotels in double room. Please check with us for price difference.
The Simplon hotel is cozy and simple. Let yourself be surprised by an address with a special harmony, a neighborhood meeting place, a house with a family DNA that is synonymous with good living and sharing.
The Ibis Lyon Sud Vienne St Louis hotel is located in the center of Vienne, close to historical landmarks such as the theater, temple, cathedral, and archaeological museum. The conference room with natural light can accommodate up to 15 people.
Conviviality, quality and authenticity are the hallmarks of the welcome offered by the entire team. A subtle marriage of tradition and modern comfort, you will find stylish and contemporary rooms, an elegant restaurant with terrace and a bar.
The Hotel Alpes Cevennes is situated in Guilherand-Granges, at 1,8 km from Valence. It has been entirely renovated and the rooms are fully equipped. It is located on the ViaRhôna ideal for cyclists.
You will be stay in one of the 11 rooms, classified "2 Logis chimneys", you can relax on the lovely terrace, enjoy the swimming pool, and enjoy the regional and contemporary gastronomy of the restaurant.
Ideally located in the town of Pierrelatte between the hills of the Drome and the Gate of Provence, “le Domaine des Oliviers” invites you to make a gourmet break between Les Gorges de l’Ardèche and the lavender fields and vineyards. Le Domaine des Oliviers is a peaceful haven less than 10 minutes away from the motorway “Autoroute du soleil”. Our new 3-star hotel and its sophisticated comfort welcome you all the year. All efforts were made to allow you to spend a pleasant moment among us.
The 3 buildings offer 32 rooms (including 2 adapted for all disabilities), all different, whether in size, decoration, or equipment. This allows everyone to choose the one that suits them best. The Glacier*** is specialized in welcoming cyclists (Label La France A Velo) and motorcyclists. We offer them specific services tailored to these leisure activities (Circuits, specific equipment, …).
In the heart of the Lyon, always adapting to meet your needs. Our hotel and our team offers you a warm welcome in a warm, elegant, authentic setting right in the center of the action: the perfect point of departure from which to explore Lyon.
Hotel located in the centre of Vienne, close to the historical monuments: the theatre, the temple, the cathedral and the Gallo-Roman museum. Here you can enjoy the great wines of the Rhône valley.
Conviviality, quality and authenticity are the hallmarks of the welcome offered by the entire team. A subtle marriage of tradition and modern comfort, you will find stylish and contemporary rooms, an elegant restaurant with terrace and a bar.
Our hotel boasts spacious, air-conditioned, soundproof rooms. Don’t hesitate to take full advantage of our wellness area where you will find a fitness room, a sauna, a swimming pool and a large, fully fitted relaxation lounge.
At the gates of Provence, the Sphinx Hotel in Montélimar, is a beautiful 17th century residence carefully restored and which has kept all its authenticity. The hotel offers fully equipped rooms furnished in the spirit of our house.
Ideally located in the town of Pierrelatte between the hills of the Drome and the Gate of Provence, “le Domaine des Oliviers” invites you to make a gourmet break between Les Gorges de l’Ardèche and the lavender fields and vineyards.
In this small, pretty, and friendly hotel, run by the same family for three generations, and restored and refurbished every year, you will be welcomed by Nathalie and Philippe Baudoin and will surely find the place inescapable. Set around a quiet, sunny, flowery patio this peaceful accommodation is composed of several houses.
Departure any day of the week from 1st May to 31st October.
The international Lyon Airport is served by a large number of scheduled and low cost airlines.
From Paris, you can take the TGV (high speed train) to Lyon (approx. 2h). For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF.
On the end of your trip you can take a train from Orange. For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF.
From Paris to Lyon (approx. 4h30 - 470 km/292 mi). Acces to driving routes see the website ViaMichelin.
Parking informations on request
HYBRID RENTAL BIKE
SCOTT Sub Cross Men/Lady Alloy Frame, 24 Speed
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
ELECTRIC BIKE RENTAL
SCOTT E-Sub
The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock
GPS tracks are available on request
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation with breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Tourist city taxes
- Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
- Access to the trip in GUIBO, the digital guidebook and navigation
- App24-hour telephone assistance
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Transport to first and from last accommodation
- Trains, busses or any transport wherever necessary
- Other Lunches & Dinners
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, additional transfers, etc
- Hybrid bike rental
Extras
- Single Room Supplement
- Solo Traveller Supplement
- Upgrade Supplement hotels 3/4
- Additional nights
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel
- Transfer back from your last accommodation
- Hybrid bike rental
- E-bike supplement
- Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
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8-day Rhône River Cycling Holiday (Part 3)
Contact
-
Edificio Sovega bajo, Crta General s/n
33554 Arenas de Cabrales
Asturias , Spaininfo@s-capetravel.eu
+34 (0) 985 846 455
UK call free 0800 707 44 35 -
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)