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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435
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Backroad cycling France

A smooth journey to discover the authentic Ardèche regionRef CF99

A smooth family journey along the water: we leave the banks of the Rhone dominated by the impressive castle of Tournon to reach the Ardèche plateau by vintage steam train. It's already an adventure ! We then overlook the Eyrieux river which winds its way through a dreamy setting, sometimes evoking the Cévennes, sometimes the Ardèche... This secret Ardèche region gradually opens its doors to us, as we discover its villages, its hidden creeks and its crafts. This itinerary also offers the possibility of visiting remarkable natural sites, by embarking on a canoe on the Eyrieux or by evolving suspended in the air on an acrobatic course above the valley.

Self-guided tour: from 445€ - Details Duration : 4 days | Level : Customer satisfaction : - 1 reviews
+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
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Physical level :  

This tour is E-bike compatible

Highlights

  • A family cycle route
  • A cycle path that is completely safe from one end to another
  • Multiple activities adapted for families and friends (canoeing, tree climbing)
  • Ardèche gastronomy

Description


Day 1: Tournon sur Rhône
  • Our stay begins in Tournon sur Rhône, a beautiful and imposing village with its castle and monuments, its terraced vineyards and its spectacular panoramas.
  • Opposite Tournon, is Valrhona, the City of Chocolate, a must-see visit for the whole family that will make your taste buds go wild!
Day 2: Tournon sur Rhône – Saint Jean de Muzols - Lamastre – Le Cheylard
  • After riding to Saint Jean de Muzols (about 4 kms), we board the Mastrou in the middle of the morning, a typical Ardèche steam train. A wagon is specifically designed for loading bicycles.
  • When arriving in Lamastre, we pick up our bikes and begin our journey on the Dolce Via, where the old railway line gives way to a track ideal for discovering the Ardèche plateau.
  • The landscapes are very open, we climb very gradually and gently up to Les Nonières before switching to Le Cheylard, where our accommodation awaits us.
  • It is possible to extend our ride to the charming little village of Saint Martin de Valamas.

Distance : approx. 25 km and 250m.
Visit of Saint Martin de Valamas: approx. 14 kms round trip from Le Cheylard.

Day 3: Le Cheylard - Les Ollières sur Eyrieux
  • We continue our route on the Dolce Via, on a rather downhill profile overlooking the Eyrieux.
  • We gradually approach the banks of the Eyrieux river.
  • Then we reach our accommodation near Les Ollières sur Eyrieux.

Distance : approx. 30 km and 150m.

Day 4: Les Ollières sur Eyrieux - La Voulte Sur Rhône
  • This last day takes us to La Voulte sur Rhône and its Renaissance style castle from the XIVᵉ century.
  • In the middle of the afternoon, a taxi transfer is organised from La Voulte sur Rhône to Tournon sur Rhône.

If your last day is on 22/05, 12/06, 24/07, 7/08, 21/08 or 11/09, we can offer you a boat cruise from la Voulte sur Rhône to Tournon sur Rhône. Departure from La Voulte at 1.15 pm. Please contact us for a quote.

Distance : approx. 22 km and 100m.

Itinerary end: On the last day, we meet at the car park next to the tourist office in La Voulte sur Rhône at about 3.30pm. The taxi will be waiting for you with your luggage and will take care of your return (with your bikes) to Tournon sur Rhône (several possibilities of drop-off: at the SNCF station, or at the hotel you stayed on D1, or at the bike rental company)

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

Depending on the weather conditions (rain and wet conditions), some sections of the circuit may be more difficult to ride.

Keeping children occupied

As you no doubt already know, younger children quickly lose interest in different activities. The same is true when they're in a trailer, a child seat or on their bike. That?s why it?s important to plan several stops during the day in order to keep them occupied: a swimming spot, animals in a field by the side of the road, a pretty viewpoint, a snack stop, etc.
These stops keep children amused, and avoid them getting bored of the cycling. Remember to pack a few ideas of games to play during the breaks from cycling.

Protection from the elements

Most trailers are equipped with a ventilated hood which offers shade and protection from bugs, but bear in mind that the sun can be particularly aggressive for your child. With the breeze created from riding along, it's often easy to forget how strong the sun's rays are. Sunglasses and sun cream are highly recommended.

Helpful tip

The seats and back supports on child seats and trailers can be a little hard, especially when you're using them for several days. We strongly recommend adding a layer of foam padding to make the trip that bit more comfortable for your children.

Average tour rating:

5/5 - 1 Reviews
Evelyne V. | Participant rating:
"We were very satisfied, the landscapes were enchanting, the route very well indicated, the welcoming in the accommodation was top notch! We were just disappointed not to have been able to do the last bike ride but that was independent of France Bike Trips! (Our daughter got a nasty stiff neck).
(customer review translated from our French website Vélorizons)"