Sablons / Sarras / Tournon-sur-Rhône / Glun

This ViaRhôna stage 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 at the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, follow the provisional signage to continue along the route.

The route

The itinerary is almost entirely along greenways, going from Sablons, via Saint-Vallier and Sarras, to Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. However, crossing Vion, you need to take a 2.5km stretch along a shared road, but one with only light traffic. At Tournon-sur-Rhône, head south on the right bank to reach Glun.

Alternative route

From St-Vallier to Tain-l’Hermitage (on the eastern, Drôme-side bank of the Rhône), a linking route goes up and down small, steep roads that are signposted ‘Vers ViaRhôna’; this stretch is only for experienced cyclists. At Tain, join the greenway beside the Rhône.

Train stations:

Tain-l’Hermitage:

• TER Line 5 : Lyon > Vienne > Le Péage-de-Roussillon > Saint-Rambert d’Albon > Saint-Vallier-sur-Rhône > Tain l’Hermitage > Valence > Montélimar > Marseille

Sablons:

Local bus services (TER) : line 75  (bikes are not accepted) : Lyon > Vienne > Le Péage-de-Roussillon > Sablons > Serrières > Félines > Peaugres > Davézieux > Annonay

Tourist Offices:

• Porte de DrômArdèche Tourist Office  Tel. +33 (0)4 75 23 45 33
• Ardèche Hermitage Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 75 08 10 23
• Ardèche Grand Air Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 75 33 24 51

Don't miss:

Sablons: île de la Platière island

Serrières: the musée des mariniers du Rhône, set in the 14th-century listed Chapelle Saint-Sornin. The museum retraces the history of Rhône navigation, in part using the towpath, from the late-15th century to the early 19th century.

Tournon: a historic town on the Rhône’s west bank. The château on high holds a museum. Also enjoy the historic centre, botanical garden and plane-lined quays. As to the suspension bridge, from 1826, it’s the oldest still in use in France, designed by the engineer Seguin - be carefull, you must walk your bicycle across the footbridge. A lovely old tourist train, Le Mastrou, leaves from here for trips up to Saint-Jean-de-Muzols in the Ardèche hills.

Tain-l’Hermitage: La Cité du Chocolat : located on the historic site of the Valrhona, the renowned chocolate factory, the Cité offers a behind-the-scenes look at fine chocolate. You will find out about all the secrets of how chocolate is made.

Markets :

Sablons : Tuesday morning

Serrières : Friday morning

Saint-Rambert-d’Albon : Friday

Saint-Vallier :  Thursday

Tain-l’Hermitage : Saturday morning

Tournon-sur-Rhône : Wednesday morning in Place Jean Jaurès – Saturday morning on Quai Farconnet