Lapalud / Caderousse

As ViaRhôna enters the Vaucluse, it also marks the gateway to Provence, amid cicadas and lavender. From Lapauld, cross the agricultural plain to the Canal de Donzère. Next, the route squeezes between the Rhône and parallel motorway, with links indicated to the medieval villages of Mondragon, Mornas and Piolenc and the town of Orange with its grand Roman remains. Fancy a dip in a lake? Try Les Girardes or Li Piboulos before continuing south along a Rhône-side greenway. End gently at the Provençal village of Caderousse, its dykes built to protect it from flooding by the tempestuous Rhône.

The route
The itinerary follow quiet roads running between the Rhône and the parallel motorway. There is a stretch of tarmacked cycle track between the Etang de Li Piboulos (a lake) and Caderousse.

Connections
Signposted connections to Mornas, Mondragon, Piolenc and Orange.

Train stations:

• Bollène-Croisière
• Orange
• Pont-Saint-Esprit

Tourist Offices

Provence Occitane Tourist Office Tel. +33 0(4) 66 39 44 45
Provence Côté Rhône Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 90 30 36 83
Orange Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 90 34 70 88 – E-bike charging

Don’t miss:

Pont-Saint-Esprit: the 13th-century bridge; the Musée d’Art Sacré du Gard (displaying fine religious artefacts); vineyards in the county of Gard producing Côtes du Rhône wines
Mornas: the perched medieval fortress high above the Rhône; the vineyards in the Massif d’Uchaux hills, at the heart of the Tour des Côtes du Rhône à Vélo cycle route
Piolenc: the Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre; the Alexis Gruss Park and Circus (located 1km south of the village)
Plan d’eau de Li Piboulos: a lake you can swim in, with lifeguards on duty in July and August, plus with a snack bar on site
Caderousse: Le Batardeu Dyke; chapel of St Martin (dating back to the 11th century); Les Gramont Chapel; Les Brotteaux Island, on which you can picnic.
Orange: the Roman theatre, one of the best preserved in Europe; the Roman Triumphal Arch; the Musée d'Orange