For families

Secure routes from 15 to 25km, on greenways

With your family, take some fun breaks!

Water: swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, amphibious car.
Delicacies: fun visit of the Cité du Chocolat in Tain.
Discoveries: feeding crocodiles on their farm in Pierrelatte.

Meanwhile the 306 km of greenways which are in progress on ViaRhôna, the cycle route already offers numerous possibilities for family cycling outings.

We highlight these easy stretches in this Special Family-friendly section, so get on your bikes... in quietness!

Here are our ideas for family outings

Greenway Chanaz <> Belley <> Virignin – 17.5 km

South of Belley, the cycle track follows the west bank of the Canal de Dérivation du Rhône up to the Pont des Ecassaz bridge.

Take care:
- along the small portion where you need to stick to a cycle lane on the road leading to the Massignieu-de-Rives campsite.
- crossing La Balme, which, for the time being, we strongly recommend families avoid. Instead, we advise turning back to return to Belley.

Greenway Sault-Brénaz > Lagnieu - 7 km
This is a pretty stretch of greenway going along beside the Rhône for 7km. Join it at the CNR dam at Sault-Brénaz, continuing along to Lagnieu Bridge. Facing the cliffs of the mountainous Bugey area opposite, this stretch offers a lovely view of the Château de Vertrieu. Take care though in the so-called ‘mixed zones’ as some motorized traffic is allowed along those parts.

Stretch Pont du Robinet Donzère > Bourg-Saint-Andéol - 11 km

This stretch begins 3km south of the little city of Viviers, at the level of the Pont du Robinet suspension bridge, with its adjoining, once-practical pyramid, and runs for 11km. You soon reach a dam with a protected path through it allowing you to continue on along the riverside levee. The way becomes wilder at Iles des Dames.

The little road here is sometimes shaded, sometimes through open fields, following the former meander in the Rhône known as the Lône de la Grange Ecrasée, recalling a barn crushed in the 1796 floods – its ruins are still visible.

Arriving at Bourg-Saint-Andéol, architectural treasures await in this town boasting the largest number of listed historic monuments in the whole département (or county) of Ardèche.

Greenway from Tournon to Bourg-Lès-Valence

Leaving the area around the Ardèche town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, explore the surprising old branch of the Rhône (a lône) encircling La Roche-de-Glun, its rich biodiversity appealing even to demanding nature lovers.

Along this beautiful greenway covering some 15km, you’ll cross the Isère River via a specially adapted footbridge, then pass by a spot dedicated to bee-keeping, set up by the CNR company; it makes a great place to take a break. Take care approaching Bourg-lès-Valence, where you have to cross a major county road, or route départementale.

From Cruas to Viviers

From the port of Cruas, the route runs for 10km along greenways, beside little lakes much appreciated by fishermen. Then you join a shaded road with little traffic for 2.5km, leading you to Rochemaure.

Wander around this striking village, with its 12th-century castle perched atop a volcanic pinnacle, while a new modern Himalayan-style footbridge installed on the pillars of a former, older bridge draws visitors irresistibly to the Rhône.
Note that there is a little ramp to negotiate at the level of the village of Meysse, at the place named Pimpie, to reach Rochemaure Dam.

From Arles to Mas Thibert (Marais de Vigueirat) - 16 km

From Arles’s Pont Van Gogh bridge, a charming greenway takes you through reedbeds alongside a canal to Pont Calada bridge. From there, enjoy great views over ricefields and vineyards.

At Mas-Thibert, cross the bridge to explore the Marais de Vigueirat, a national nature reserve located where two ecosystems meet, the marshy Camargue on the one hand, the rock-strewn dry plain of the Crau on the other. There’s a boardwalk trail through the reserve for you to enjoy.

Take care at the potentially dangerous crossroads at the entrance to Mas-Thibert, on the D 24 road.

From Aigues-Mortes to the Plage de l’Espiguette - 13km

This stretch marks the end of the whole cycle route, with Mediterranean beaches easily accessible by bike as your reward. The ViaRhôna trail crosses historic walled Aigues-Mortes via the Pont de Provence bridge and the Pont Rouge bridge near the great Tour de Constance, to then head on alongside the maritime canal. Half way along this you come to the Maison du Grand Site Camargue Gardoise, a visitor centre.

Some of the way is along roads shared with motorized traffic, some along a lovely cycle track right beside the canal, leading to the port of Le Grau-du-Roi, with salt marshes on one side, wild marshes on the other. Look out for flamingoes and other aquatic birds. Past Le Grau-du-Roi, a cycle track leads you to the huge Plage de l’Espiguette beach, great for a dip.

From Gallician to Aigues-Mortes - 14km

This greenway provides a lovely outing linking the port of Gallician to the historic fortified harbour of Aigues-Mortes. Cyclists cross the Camargue Gardoise (the Languedoc side of the Camargue) with its exceptional flora and fauna, following the former towpath alongside the Canal du Rhône à Sète, riding through marshlands before reaching Aigues-Mortes. This amazing old walled port is also surrounded by salt marshes and some vineyards. Climb the huge historic toll-bridge tower, Tour Carbonnière, at the town’s entrance, to appreciate views across the area and to take in the extraordinary landscapes all around.

Two further cycling circuits from Gallician encourage you to explore the vineyards, reedbeds and marshes surrounding the port. The Camargue Gardoise circuit covers 17km, the Les Costières circuit 23km.
An appealing 7km-long cycle track beside the canal also links Gallician to Vauvert.

For a successful family cycling trip:

Opt for stretches of greenways, presented under the section ‘Special Family-friendly Options’ (which you can access via the Home Page) and indicated in green on the maps of ViaRhôna’s sections and stages.
Start with short, easy stages for the children.
Fifteen to 25 km in a day is a reasonable distance to start off with.
Prepare your cycling trip carefully in advance.
Good preparation generally helps avoid any nasty surprises along the route. Also check the weather forecast closely before heading out.
Stop regularly for a rest.
Plan for visits and activities along ViaRhôna – there’s a great choice.
Take water and energy foods with you.
Inform your children of the safety regulations they must respect.
Respect the highway code. Remember to cycle on the right-hand side, to look straight ahead and anticipate, and to stop at all junctions.
It is possible to rent trailers or a third wheel for a trailer.
This is much more comfortable and more fun than travelling with a child seat or baby seat.
Check that all bikes are in a good state of repair, for you and your child or children.
Check that the size of bike is right for each child.