1,000km from Paris to the Mediterranean, broken down into 5 routes/sections.
1 - 206km from Paris to Briare. Heading south-east along the Seine, then the "Loing" and finally the Canal de Briare, between rivers, forests and towns with a rich medieval heritage, pedal on an alternation of small roads and towpaths following the meanders of the wooded banks. On the way, Fontainebleau, its royal castle and its splendid forest are worth a visit. Further south, discover Montargis with its 132 bridges and footbridges and finally, Briare and its famous canal bridge which will mark your arrival on the Loire à Vélo.
2 - 366km from Briare to Montrond-les-Bains. Ride along the royal river for nearly 400 km by three routes that relay to guide you to the rhythm of towns of character and inland waterways, famous vineyards or canal bridges. Along the way, discover Sancerre and its vineyards, the Bec d'Allier and its panorama of the confluence of the Loire and Allier or Charlieu, a medieval city with half-timbered houses that is home to a Benedictine Abbey.
3 - 370km from A gently sloping route along the Rhône valley, mostly on cycle paths, embraced by the Drôme on one side and the Ardèche on the other, before joining the Vaucluse. Gastronomy and heritage will be part of the game: vineyards on the mountainsides, medieval monuments and of course local culinary specialties (nougats, chestnuts...)! From the City of the Popes, vineyards, orchards, marshes and salt marshes follow one another before giving way to the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes and its coastal ponds.
4 - Between Montrond-les-Bains and Givors, to connect La Véloire and ViaRhôna, no cycle route currently exists and the route is therefore neither marked nor secured. However, small roads with little traffic and motorable roads can be used on this 58-kilometre section. There is this an unmarked route proposal available though: Montrond-les-Bains > Givors, 58 km
5 - 370km from Givors to Mediterranean. A gently sloping route along the Rhône valley, mostly on cycle paths, embraced by the Drôme on one side and the Ardèche on the other, before joining the Vaucluse. Gastronomy and heritage will be part of the game: vineyards on the mountainsides, medieval monuments and of course local culinary specialties (nougats, chestnuts...)! From the City of the Popes, vineyards, orchards, marshes and salt marshes follow one another before giving way to the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes and its coastal ponds.
Véloroute du soleil by bike (francevelotourisme.com)
Route type: Long Distance Point 2 Point