The Rhône and Heritage - Cycling Loop n°5
This beautiful route within the "Country of Art and History" is ideal for a day combining sports and visits to the two flagship heritage sites of the region. This cycling loop follows both banks of the Rhône with a stop in Bourg-Saint-Andéol and Viviers, two small towns with remarkable architecture. Ride up the river via the ViaRhôna route on a beautiful shaded path that allows you to observe the fauna and flora along the "lônes," the river's small wild arms. The return journey crosses a plain marked by lavender fields, orchards, and olive groves, and returns on the left bank from the suspension bridge of Robinet de Donzère.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Cycling Route n°5 - Rhône and Heritage between Bourg-Saint-Andéol and Viviers
This 35.5 km cycling loop starting from Bourg-Saint-Andéol presents no particular difficulty. It's more suitable for mountain bikes (MTB) and hybrid bikes (VTC) due to a short section on a dirt track along the left bank of the Rhône between the Robinet bridge and the Donzère dam (however, there is an alternative route via a lightly traveled road). There are bike service areas (bike boxes, electrical outlets) in Viviers and Bourg-Saint-Andéol, and picnic areas at the Robinet bridge and the port of Viviers.
Route Markings for Route n°5
The loop is entirely marked with bike signs with the identifier n°5.
Highlights of this ride
The Bishops' Palace in Bourg-Saint-Andéol: classified in its entirety and lovingly restored by its owners, it housed the Bishop of Viviers from the 13th century onwards.
The Donzère Gorge and the Robinet bridge: this gorge carved by the river forms a narrow and deep corridor. The bridge is one of the first suspension bridges on the Rhône built by Marc Seguin.
Viviers: the former capital of southern Vivarais, the city has been the seat of the bishopric of Ardèche since the 5th century. Admire the facade of the Knights' House before climbing towards the cathedral (the smallest in France) and its canonical quarter which housed the clergy.
Nearby Train Station
TER train stations in Pierrelatte - marked connection with Bourg St Andéol.
