The route is well-marked, no worries there
There are campsites like in Sion, and Switzerland’s cycling website (Rhône Route) is super well done
There are a few great tips—accommodations are pricier than in France (due to exchange rates), but always top-notch
(The Swiss were 10 years ahead on this!)
Claudio
Still in La Faverges
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Love your video—it’s so inspiring!
Too bad you didn’t (or didn’t show) take the Voie Bleue starting from Glun.
We don’t see anything of Valence either, which is definitely worth a visit, as is a stop at the famous Vélo Gîte.
Otherwise, bravo! Any new projects in the works?
Marjorie
J'ai participé à tous les After Bike Tours EVG ! j'ai un petit faible pour un établissement destiné aux voyageurs à vélo dans la préfecture de la Drôme, j'ai longtemps habité à Gex, puis Annonay. Alors alors... Vous m'avez reconnu ?!!! ;-)
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Yes, you're right—it's impossible to fit 700 km of landscapes, towns, and villages into the video, so unfortunately I had to pick certain sections.
The Via Rhôna really inspired me! We’d love to do a EuroVelo route for our next trip. I think that’s the next challenge. We haven’t decided which one yet, but why not in 2019 or 2020 anyway? :)
Awesome, thanks for this lovely travel journal! We’ve decided—we’re heading out next summer from Geneva toward the Mediterranean.
Coming from Brittany, do you have a great tip for parking our car in Geneva? Thanks for your help...
Wishing you a great continuation and a wonderful next trip! 😊
Cathy
parking your car in Geneva is going to be really tough! You might end up finding it in the impound lot.
You’ll probably have to leave it in neighboring France.
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
50th post on ViaRhôna for Claudio
for his traditional closing ride
You can come throw stones at him from one of the N+1 bridges over the Rhône
Departure Monday morning from Geneva
Passing through Seyssel around 11 a.m.
Here are the stages
cbandiera.free.fr/...arhona-bas-cevennes/
Passing by the foothills of the Cévennes if the cévenol wind doesn’t get in the way...
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Bambée completed without any issues
in 6 days for the 680 km on the 50th viarhona
but a lovely detour through the Cévennes, Alès, and Anduze (Vi raccomando)
http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/index1.php
A few improvements for the viarhona, but still a mess around Anthon, where you get lost in the Isère backcountry...
The authorities really aren’t very responsive.
The Virignin footbridge is still pending.
Stop in Valence at bruno velogite valence
www.velogitevalence.fr/
Managed to avoid the rain
Story coming soon
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
thanks
here are a few photos (just a few because after a while I’ve got nothing left to re-photograph)
including the infamous Chavanoz section that’s always a problem
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
to be honest
at least 50 times for 3 days or more on the ViaRhona
more than 100 nights on the ViaRhôna, so
and 15 full end-to-end rides
Geneva or Annecy -- to the sea
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
hi,
I’m planning a family adventure along the Via Rhôna for next April. I’ll be traveling with my kids, aged 8, 11, and 13, from Vienne to the Mediterranean Sea. Is it worth following the official signage, or is it better to veer off now and then for more beautiful scenery?
Thanks for your feedback!
Perrine
Hey there, fellow travelers! Here’s a little post to share our cycling trip from this summer. We rode the Via Rhôna from Geneva all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a truly amazing adventure—no hitches, plenty of independent greenways, and we felt like we had the Rhône all to ourselves as our guide for 700 km over 7 days. That averages out to about 100 km per day. We thought we’d do less, but the Via Rhôna is flat and not too tiring, which let us push to around 100 km each day!
Here’s the full video of our route: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_cpBro6Df8
We’re not seasoned cyclists—we just love biking, and this trip was our first big cycling adventure. As for our bikes (see photo), we had road bikes, sturdy with fairly large wheels and panniers for our gear.
Speaking of gear, here’s what we brought: just the essentials for 7 days of biking and camping—one tent for two, two sleeping bags, a few clothes (not too many), one book each, toiletries, phone chargers, a basic bike repair kit... and maybe two or three things I’m forgetting. The idea is to travel light so you’re carrying as little as possible!
We camped every night. Along the Rhône, it’s pretty easy to find campgrounds, and they’re affordable too! Each morning, we’d decide on our destination for the evening (usually based on available campgrounds) and call ahead to book. We always managed to find a spot right away (except when we reached the Mediterranean coast, but we should’ve seen that coming 😛).
For expenses, we camped each night (between 15 and 25 € for a pitch for two) and either picnicked or ate at restaurants. Beyond that, there weren’t many other costs—just a few little souvenirs here and there. In total, we spent about 500 € for two over 7 days (so 35 € per person per day). I think it’s possible to spend even less, since we decided not to skimp on restaurants or campground prices.
For us, the most beautiful stretch was between Geneva and Lyon! The Rhône is still a bit wild there, as are its banks. Not too many roads, highways, trains, or factories around—just nature and peace. You gradually leave the Alps behind and head further south. It was truly stunning. We also loved the "Rhône Valley" after Lyon. The succession of dozens of suspension bridges and charming little villages enchanted us.
The trickiest part was leaving Lyon... The Via Rhôna disappears for a long stretch, forcing you to alternate between roads, traffic, danger, and pollution. We had to wait until Givors, further south, to finally get back to the quiet path and the Rhône guiding our way. Also, after Lyon, the Rhône becomes a bit more industrial—you pass by dams, factories, and power plants more often. But it’s really just a small detail, the exception that proves the rule of this magnificent Via Rhôna.
The Via Rhôna is a wonderful way to see how water from the mountains of Lake Geneva flows, meanders, and winds its way for hundreds of kilometers to reach the sea. With this trip, you grow closer to the Rhône—it becomes your accomplice, your guide. Plus, you cross a beautiful part of France, with its charm and quaint villages. It’s the France we love, and it’s great to explore our own country.
That’s our little travel journal. I didn’t go into too much detail about our daily routines because everyone will follow the same route, and each person can go at their own pace :) But I’m happy to answer any questions (logistics, technical stuff, routes, etc.)—I’d be delighted to help!
Here’s the video of our route again. I also composed the music—I hope you’ll like it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_cpBro6Df8
you can follow the signage, which is now well done
and passes through beautiful spots
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
How are you doing in this slightly unusual time? I hope the current crisis hasn’t stopped you from taking your trip if you had one planned... Has anyone had to cancel their trip planned for March-April or May this year along the Via Rhôna?
In any case, I feel like we’re in a period of reflection. Maybe now’s the perfect time to plan our next trips once everything gets back to normal! I think this forum has become a goldmine for travelers eager to organize their trip along the Via Rhôna! I just wanted to thank all of you—see you on the road soon!
Hi everyone! We're planning to bike from Geneva to the sea with our 3 daughters (ages 9, 10, and 11) at the end of August... are there really some sketchy spots along the way? This isn’t our first trip, so we’re not too worried...! Also, it seems like there aren’t any campgrounds at the start—is wild camping allowed along the Via Rhôna?
Thanks for your tips!
Clémentine
from Geneva first campsite at Seyssel (60 km)
well signposted in this area and pretty quiet (nice!)
watch out: a bit of elevation gain from Chancy to Valleiry over 2 km
and after the lock gorge up to Clarafond (a 5 km climb at 5-6%)
http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2017-viarhona/T/telecharger-E.php
Claudio wrote a guide after 50 trips on the ViaRhôna, but he burned it—some clever folks wrote their own after just one trip.
a few tricky sections, like at the Lagnieu bridge, over 100 m!
the exit from Lyon to Givors
Claudio... from La Faverges
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio just went back through Saint-Gingolph, Évian, and Thonon
Still just as dangerous along the main road
Almost nothing has changed
Slight improvement in signage before Thonon, but not the whole way—don’t get too excited
Further down before Avignon
Big improvement, though! From Sorgues toward Avignon, you now avoid the road
and... Avignon
But nothing’s stopping you from taking the 500 m detour to check out the famous Pont d’Avignon (Bénézet)
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Nouvelle sur ce forum, je recherche des infos sur la via Rhôna entre Valence, et Port Louis, comment faire pour l'hébergement, la restauration du soir, les…
Après avoir songé à un périple en Italie pour l'été prochain, nous avons finalement décidé de revenir sur un circuit en France par manque d'informations…
Je regarde vite fait le parcours de la viarhona entre Genève et Lyon pour un potentiel futur we prolongé. La portion Groslée- Sault Brénaz se fait en rive…
Voyager à vélo › France › Rhône-Alpes / Sud-Ouest · 13 replies
J'aimerais tenter pour la première fois une partie de l'aventure euro route! J'ai quelques questions à poser à ceux qui auraient déjà fait ce parcours.. Par…
Voyager à vélo › France › Provence-Côte d'Azur / Rhône-Alpes · 11 replies
J'envisage de parcourir la Via Rhona entre Lyon et Marseille début février pour me rendre à un stage de voile. Je cherche un maximum d'info sur l'état des…
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
Hello,
Has anyone here had experience using a gas stove in Sardinia and Sicily? I’m wondering if screw-on gas canisters (not the blue Campingaz ones, but brands like Coleman, Primus, etc.) are easy to find.
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hi there, we’re planning a Munich to Venice bike trip at the end of June 2026. Getting back from Venice to Toulouse by train with 4 bikes isn’t straightforward. What return options have others who’ve done this trip chosen? Any tips or great deals would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch! !
Hi everyone,
Happy owner of a Pegasus Estremo bike with a Rohloff hub, which is giving me trouble with the SF11-NCX-FT-E-LITE 700C TS 300/0 fork (serial number TD01329060). It’s starting to show its age, and I’d like to repair it to extend the life of my beloved bike.
The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
Does anyone know how to repair it? Where can I find parts that are about fifteen years old? Or where to find an identical replacement fork? Just to clarify, the Magura HS11 brakes are mounted using Firm Tech, meaning they’re on pivots behind the fork, facing the frame.
Hi, I'd like to know if anyone has done this route recently or has reliable info.
Does the track exist, and most importantly, is there sand (for biking)?
Any info is welcome.
Cheers,
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena
vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
Hi there,
New to bike touring,
I’d love to start with a section of the Via Rhona to explore and share (route to be decided).
Looking forward to exchanging tips!
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
A big thank you to Lazarou for all the info you share in this forum!
I'm passionate about Morocco, which I cycled through back in 2009.
Last year, my wife and I explored the High Atlas by tandem. Completely smitten, we're heading back in April (Anti Atlas) and May (High and Middle Atlas), still on our tandem.
Do you have any info on the track between Amezri and Ali Ait Nito? Are the river crossings in the Tessaout still there? It's not easy to navigate with a loaded tandem... especially if the river level is high due to this year's heavy snowmelt!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes
Here are his travels
Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné
Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way
Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place
Rural and quite peaceful
A road cycling route created by Serge B...
First of all... happy New Year! Wishing you great roads in 2017!
I’ve been traveling for a few years now with a high-quality mountain bike, but it’s equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. I live (pedal) with the constant worry of a breakdown (leak, air bubble, heat causing the fluid to...). My bike mechanic tells me it’s impossible to switch them out for V-brakes.
What do you all think? Am I taking a big risk continuing (alone) with these brakes? Thanks in advance for your great tips!
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025.
It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border.
We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure!
Thanks in advance.
