Caderousse / Avignon

This stage combines wine (Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its renowned vineyard), nature (river islands dot the route), and history. Starting in the village of Caderousse, follow the bike path along the dyke to Lake Revestidou, with swimming from the island of Brotteaux on the other side. ViaRhôna then follows the banks of the Rhône canal along a greenway, with beautiful views of Montfaucon Castle, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the tower of Hers. The route continues along quiet tree-lined roads on the Île de l’Oiselay to the Pont des Arméniers bridge, before returning to a greenway on the shaded, lush-green river island. After a few kilometres, the route links back up with the banks of the Rhône, and then crosses the river on an impressive suspended footbridge across from the Sauveterre dam. Inaugurated in autumn 2023, the bridge links Avignon with the Île de la Barthelasse, the largest river island in Europe. After the footbridge, the route follows a shared road for a few kilometres to the Parc des Libertés, before returning to a greenway along the canal of the right arm of the Rhone, all the way to Pont Daladier bridge. The arrival is truly "papal", with breathtaking views of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon and the city of popes, the majestic Rhône River, the famous Avignon Bridge, and Mont Ventoux on the horizon. Enjoy one of the best views of Avignon!

Train stations:

• Orange
• Sorgues
• Avignon centre
• Avignon TGV (accessible via the La Durance à vélo itinerary)

Tourist Offices:

• Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 90 83 71 08
• Orange Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 90 34 70 88 - E-bike charging
• Grand Avignon Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 90 03 70 60
• Avignon Tourist Office Tel. +33 (0)4 32 74 32 74

Don’t miss:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: for the wine cellars and panoramic views across the area’s vineyards; the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame; the hilltop ruins of the 14th-century papal castle; the chapels dedicated to St Pierre de Luxembourg and St Theodoric
Sorgues: the Pont des Arméniers, a fine bridge across a former branch of the Rhône River; L’Oiselet Island, ideal for picnics; the old town centre with its market.
Avignon: the historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Palais des Papes, the huge palace built for the 14th-century popes based here; fine churches dotted around town; the part-ruined Pont d'Avignon over the Rhône, focus of a famous French song; notable arts museums, such as the Petit Palais, Calvet, Angladon, Vouland and Lambert; the Musée Lapidaire (on archaeology); the Opera House; the Cloître St Louis; the July Festival d’Avignon, French equivalent of the Edinburgh Festival, centred on theatre