Geneva to Lyon
Switzerland, France Bike Tours
Bike the Rhone River Cycle path
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length6 days
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Prices from€1095 Rates
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Overview
European ambiance and savoir-vivre, this 6-day bike tour from Switzerland to France highlights both. Between two incredible cultural capitals, Geneva and Lyon, this route, through an area of unsurpassed beauty, will introduce you to Pérouges, Chanaz, and Seyssel, to name a few of France’s best-kept secrets!
You pedal from towering forts and Roman ruins to shimmering lakes, through flower-filled fields, and past sleepy outposts. You’re free to stop wherever and whenever you choose. Even the smallest hamlets along the Rhône are magical.
The Via Rhona project, a bicycle path connecting Lake Léman (Geneva) to France’s Mediterranean beaches, though still a work in progress, provides lovely cycling away from the noise and distraction of traffic.
Highlights
- Geneva
- Pérouges, Chanaz, and Seyssel
- Lyon - world-famous cuisine
- The picturesque wine region of Rhône-Alpes, France
- Riverside cycling on the Via Rhôna or Rhone Cycle Path
- Charming villages, vineyards, sunflowers
We have many other bike tours in France for you to explore!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 3: Seyssel - Champagneux, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 4: Champagneux - Pérouges, 55 mi. (88 km) | Shorter option: 41 mi. (68 km)
Day 5: Pérouges - Lyon, 36 mi. (59 km) | Shorter option: 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 6: DepartureDue to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen.
On most days, you will be offered a shorter and longer route to choose from.
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
Geneva is easily accessible by car, train, and air. You’ll arrive in a cultured and cosmopolitan city with more than enough attractions to fill a day, so you can check in to your hotel in the heart of the city, then head on out to explore. Whether you want to stroll around the city’s beautiful botanical gardens, go shopping for world-famous watches, chocolates, and Swiss knives, or set sail on sparkling Lake Geneva, it’s up to you.Sample accommodation: Hotel Jade, 3*
Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel, 38 mi. (61 km) | Elevation: 680 m of total climbing | 800 m descent (2230 ft. of climbing | 2625 ft. descent)
You will be outfitted with bikes and provided an itinerary briefing after breakfast. This is the toughest day of cycling during the whole tour, featuring rolling hills and your highest ascent. The good news is you’ll enjoy plenty of downhill riding, nearly 800 meters. The route winds southwest, crossing the Swiss border at Chancy into the picturesque wine region of Rhône-Alpes, France, where you will spend the remainder of your tour. There are plenty of reasons to stop along the way, stunning panoramas, striking rock formations, and intriguing ruins. Your hotel in Seyssel sits right on the river, the perfect spot to give your biking legs a rest.Sample accommodation: Hotel Au Fil de l'Eau, 2*
Day 3: Seyssel - Champagneux, 33 mi. (53 km) | Elevation: 340 m of total climbing (1115 ft. of climbing)
On more level terrain, today’s ride will feel like a picnic compared to the previous day. Consider exploring Chanaz, the Little Venice of Savoie, or park your bikes to try the exquisite local cheeses in the Roman town of Belley. You can also head slightly off route to enjoy lunch in one of the ancestral wineries on the banks of Lac du Bourget. Whatever you choose, be sure to save some energy for the climb up to your hotel in Champagneux. Your extra effort will be rewarded with an incredible valley view and a delicious dinner.Sample accommodation: Hotel Les Bergeronnettes, 3*
Day 4: Champagneux - Pérouges, 55 mi. (88 km) | Shorter option: 41 mi. (68 km)
Long option: 380 m of total climbing | 360 m descent (1245 ft. of climbing | 1180 ft. descent)
Shorter option: 330 m of total climbing | 320 m descent (1080 ft. of climbing | 1050 ft. descent)
The Rhône River will guide you through small villages and quiet countryside. Navigation couldn’t be easier, just follow the traffic-free bikeway. From Saint-Sorlin, you’ll leave the Via Rhona and ride on secondary roads through the rural “Bugey.” Your destination will soon be in sight as you approach the hilltop medieval village of Pérouges.Sample accommodation: Hostellerie du Vieux Pérouges, 3*
Day 5: Pérouges - Lyon, 36 mi. (59 km) | Shorter option: 27 mi. (43 km)
Long option: 320 m of total climbing | 400 m descent (1050 ft. of climbing | 1310 ft. descent)
Shorter option: 170 m of total climbing | 250 m descent (555 ft. of climbing | 820 ft. descent)
If you can’t get enough of France’s pretty villages, opt for the longer route. You’ll leave the path of the Rhône River for a while, but it’s well worth it—and you won’t have to worry about falling into the river when the marvelous scenery steals your attention! If you prefer to dive straight into the food stalls at Les Halles in Lyon, follow the Via Rhona directly into the city. Tonight, you’ll retire your wheels in the hilly neighborhood of La Croix Rousse.Sample accommodation: Résidence Belambra Villemanzy, 3*
Day 6: Departure
After breakfast, depart at the time of your choice*You can ask us for an altitude profile for this tour!
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Map
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Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations in 4 nights in 3-star hotels and 1 night in a 2-star hotel. In each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel but your final hotel list will be based on availability. If the preferred hotel is not available, you will be accommodated in an establishment of equal standard.
Bicycles
Standard Bike
Trek FX 2 or similar
- Frame: Aluxx Aluminium
- Front Derailleur: Shimano M191
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus
- Brakes: Tektro, linear pull
- Tires: Giant S-X3, 700x32, puncture protect
- Cassette: SRAM PG-830 11x32, 8-speed
- Crankset: SHIMANO Acera - 48/38/28
- Seatpost: Giant Sport, 27.2mm
- Seat: Giant Connect Upright
- Weight: 12,50 kg
Electric Bike
Trek Allant+5 or similar
- Frame: Alloy
- Fork: SR Suntour NVX30, 100 mm QR, 60 mm travel
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus M2000
- Brakes: Shimano RT10, 180 mm
- Wheels: Shimano TX505
- Tires: Bontrager E6 Hard-Case Lite
- Cassette: Shimano HG200, 11–36, 9-speed
- Crankset: ProWheel Alu, 170–175 mm
- Stem: Bontrager Alloy, 31.6 mm, 12 mm offset, 330–400 mm length
- Handlebar: Herrmans Clik handle
- Seatpost: Bontrager Alloy, 31.6 mm, 12 mm offset, 330 mm length
- Battery: Bosch PowerPack Performance 500
- Engine: Bosch Performance Line CX, 25k
Gravel Bike
Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 or similar
• Frame: Alpha Aluminum with carbon forks
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX400
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX400
• Brakes: Shimano GRX hydraulic disc
• Tires: Bontrager GR1 Comp, 700x40C
• Wheels: Bontrager alloy
• Cassette: Shimano Tiagra HG500, 11-34, 10 speed
• Crankset: Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30
• Seatpost: Bontrager Comp, 27.2mm
• Seat: Bontrager Montrose Comp
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 5 nights (4 nights in 3-star hotels and 1 night in a 2-star hotel)
- Daily breakfast
- 2 dinners (drinks are not included)
- Meeting with local representative on Monday morning
- Standard touring bike rental (Trek FX 2 or similar), equipped with rear rack, repair kit with multi-tool and spare tube, water bottle cage, water bottle, helmet & pannier
- Luggage transfer (limited to 1 piece of luggage + 1 backpack per person)
- Pre-loaded GPS device (subject to availability) or navigation app
- Hotline
- Support available in emergency situations
- All tax & service charges
What’s Not Included
- Meals other than those included
- Lunches
- Any drinks with included dinners
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Questions about dates or pricing? We’re here to help! Call 800-951-4384 to talk to a Tour Specialist now.
Apr 5Apr 5 € 1095 Book Apr 5Apr 5 € 1460 Book Apr 12Apr 12 € 1095 Book Apr 12Apr 12 € 1460 Book Apr 19Apr 19 € 1095 Book Apr 19Apr 19 € 1460 Book Apr 26Apr 26 € 1095 Book Apr 26Apr 26 € 1460 Book May 3May 3 € 1095 Book May 3May 3 € 1460 Book May 10May 10 € 1095 Book May 10May 10 € 1460 Book May 17May 17 € 1095 Book May 17May 17 € 1460 Book May 24May 24 € 1095 Book May 24May 24 € 1460 Book May 31May 31 € 1095 Book May 31May 31 € 1460 Book Jun 7Jun 7 € 1095 Book Jun 7Jun 7 € 1460 Book Jun 14Jun 14 € 1095 Book Jun 14Jun 14 € 1460 Book Jun 21Jun 21 € 1095 Book Jun 21Jun 21 € 1460 Book Jun 28Jun 28 € 1095 Book Jun 28Jun 28 € 1460 Book Jul 5Jul 5 € 1095 Book Jul 5Jul 5 € 1460 Book Jul 12Jul 12 € 1095 Book Jul 12Jul 12 € 1460 Book Jul 19Jul 19 € 1095 Book Jul 19Jul 19 € 1460 Book Jul 26Jul 26 € 1095 Book Jul 26Jul 26 € 1460 Book Aug 2Aug 2 € 1095 Book Aug 2Aug 2 € 1460 Book Aug 9Aug 9 € 1095 Book Aug 9Aug 9 € 1460 Book Aug 16Aug 16 € 1095 Book Aug 16Aug 16 € 1460 Book Aug 23Aug 23 € 1095 Book Aug 23Aug 23 € 1460 Book Aug 30Aug 30 € 1095 Book Aug 30Aug 30 € 1460 Book Sep 6Sep 6 € 1095 Book Sep 6Sep 6 € 1460 Book Sep 13Sep 13 € 1095 Book Sep 13Sep 13 € 1460 Book Sep 20Sep 20 € 1095 Book Sep 20Sep 20 € 1460 Book Sep 27Sep 27 € 1095 Book Sep 27Sep 27 € 1460 Book Oct 4Oct 4 € 1095 Book Oct 4Oct 4 € 1460 Book Oct 11Oct 11 € 1095 Book Oct 11Oct 11 € 1460 Book Pricing details and extra options
- Tour package 2026 Apr 5–Oct 11 from € 10952026 departures: Sundays Apr 5–Oct 11 (Minimum of 2)
2026 April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 May Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2026 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Double occupancy € 1095 Single occupancy € 1460 Bike Rentals Price Standard touring bike Included Gravel bike € 50 Electric bike € 135 Bike prices include mandatory drop off fee to return the bike to Geneva at the end of the tour (€20 per bike, €35 per e-bike). - Extra Options
Extra Nights Geneva - Weekdays Monday - ThursdayDouble occupancy € 158 Single occupancy € 285 Geneva - Weekends Friday, Saturday & SundayDouble occupancy € 127 Single occupancy € 216 Lyon Double occupancy € 79 Single occupancy € 127
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
- Tour package 2026 Apr 5–Oct 11 from € 1095
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This self-guided tour is rated easy to moderate with daily mileage from 43 to 88 km. The Via Rhôna bike path enables cyclists to ride along the bank of the Rhone safely, providing the opportunity to discover the local region in a new and exciting manner. The path goes through many towns and villages full of well-preserved natural and historical heritage. Please refer to each day’s detailed itinerary in which the elevation gain is provided.
Airport Info
Closest international airport is Geneva International Airport (GVA)
Local Travel
The city center is located 4 km from the airport and is easily accessible by train or by bus. If by train, travel to the city center is 6 minutes. Trains leave every 12 minutes during peak hours. There are numerous busses that leave the airport as well. You can access busses at check in level or beside the train station. You can pick up a free ticket for public transportation from the machine in the baggage collection area at the Arrival level. This Unireso ticket, offered by Genève Aéroport, allows you to use public transportation in Geneva free for a period of 80 minutes. We will provide details regarding how to arrive to your first hotel with your final travel information. Generally, based on availability, Hotel Jade is used, which is about .7 km from the Geneva train station.
You can also take a taxi from the airport which costs on average 70 CHF, depending on the time of day.Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. The climate of Geneva is moderately continental with cold winters and warm summers. The city is located 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level, on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to research travel requirements and to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, blank visa pages required for your destination (s), and any other requirement.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU citizens: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and the destination country.
EU-citizens: (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months from the end of your tour.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
Recommended, of course!
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Cyclomundo.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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