Arles / Port-St-Louis-du-Rhône
The historic town of Arles stands just north of the Camargue. Famed for its Roman monuments, the whole place is steeped in history and packed with art treasures. Leaving town via the Pont Van Gogh (this bridge’s name recalling the time the great Dutch Impressionist spent in Arles), ViaRhôna leads you towards the Rhône Delta along a pretty greenway running beside the Canal d’Arles à Fos. Be aware that the way has not been thoroughly maintained in recent times and can be dangerous between the Fos lock and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. From the latter, a cycle path leads you to the sea and the possibility of a well-deserved swim at beautiful Plage Napoléon. En route, visit the Marais Vigueirat marshes by Mas-Thibert.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
The route
A part of the ViaRhôna stage has been set up from south of Arles, from the Pont Van Gogh. Beyond the bridge, there’s a fine paved cycle track lasting 6km, as far as the Pont du Mas de la Ville. Then the track is made of compact sand that is not always that well maintained for the time being, going up to the Fos lock. At the end of this track (marked by wind turbines), follow the canal up to the D 35 road where the route comes to an end. Be aware, the D 35 is a very busy road in to Port-Saint-Louis, so take very great care along it.
At the entrance to Port-Saint-Louis, take the cycle track 250m after the intersection with the D 268 road. Follow a stretch of sandy track, then a tarmacked piece leading you up to a drawbridge. Note that it is complicated to take your bike through the restrictive access control measures in place here. After the bridge, take the first right and join the cycle track along Route de Napoléon, the road leading to the beach.
Connection
From the bridge at Mas-Thibert, there’s a lovely tarmacked link taking you along to reach the Marais du Vigueirat marshes (2.5km). It’s worth the detour.
Train stations
Arles:
- Line 8 : Marseille > Arles > Tarascon > Avignon
- Line TER Avignon > Tarascon > Nîmes > Montpellier
- Line TER 10 : Marseille > Avignon > Orange > Valence > Lyon
- Line TGV : Paris Gare de Lyon (4 hours)
- Buses to Marseille, Les Saintes-Maries de la Mer, Les Salins de Giraud
Fos-sur-Mer:
- Line TER Miramas > Marseille St Charles
Tourist Offices:
- Arles Tourist Office Tel : 04 90 18 41 20
- Port Saint Louis du Rhône Tourist Office Tel : 04 42 86 01 21
Arles - Port-Saint-Louis
Well worth visiting Marshes Nature Reserve Vigueirat, allow 1-2 hours, they have shade for picnic, cold drinks and ice cream. Pick up lunch in Arles for this section as nothing until Port-Saint-Louis. I would recommend cycling back to Arles for the train, even if into the wind.