Geneva to Lyon

Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
Day 2: Geneva - Seyssel, 39 mi. (63 km)
Day 3: Seyssel - Champagneux, 48 mi. (77 km), Shorter option: 34 mi. (54 km)
Day 4: Champagneux - Pérouges, 55 mi. (88 km), Shorter option: 41 mi. (66 km)
Day 5: Pérouges - Lyon, 37 mi. (60 km), Shorter Option: 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 6: Departure

Due 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, 39 mi. (63 km) | Elevation: 710 m of total climbing | 840 m descent (2330 ft. of climbing | 2755 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. You will climb your highest ascent, but the good news is you’ll get to enjoy plenty of downhill riding, more than 800 meters! The route itself winds its way southwest, across 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, to name a few. Your hotel in Seyssel sits right on the river, providing the perfect spot to give your biking legs a rest.

Sample accommodation: Hotel Au Fil de l'Eau, 2*

Day 3: Seyssel - Champagneux, 48 mi./77 km, shorter option: 34 mi. (54 km)
Long option: 680 m of total climbing | 680 m descent (2280 ft. of total climbing | 2280 ft. descent)
Shorter option: 430 m of total climbing | 420 m descent (1410 ft of climbing | 1380 ft descent)
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. If you are content to add some extra kilometers to the journey, you can also head just off the route to enjoy lunch in one of the ancestral wineries on the banks of Lac du Bourget. Whatever you choose, be sure to save a little energy for the climb up to your hotel in Champagneux. Your extra effort will be entirely worth it when you feast your eyes on the incredible valley view and a delicious dinner. 

Sample accommodation: Hotel Les Bergeronnettes, 3*

Day 4: Champagneux - Pérouges, 55 mi. (88 km), shorter option: 42 mi. (68 km)
Long option: 380 m of total climbing | 360 m descent (1235 ft of total climbing | 1180 ft. descent
Shorter Option: 330 m of total climbing | 320 descent (1080 ft. of total climbing | 1050 descent
The Rhone river will show you the way through small villages and quiet countryside and the navigation couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is 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, 37 mi./60 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 (560 ft of climbing | 820 ft descent)
If you just can’t get enough of France’s pretty villages, you’ll want to opt for the longer route we’ve devised. You’ll leave the path of the Rhône River for a while, but trust us, it’s well worth it (and you won’t have to worry about falling in the river when the marvelous scenery steals your attention)! On the other hand, if you’re dreaming of diving right into the food stalls at Les Halles in Lyon, you may 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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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

Cube Pro 500WH or similar

Frame: Aluminium Superlite, Comfort Fork: Suntour NEX-E25, 63mm Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6000-GS, 10-Speed Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200, Hydr. Disc Brake Wheels: CUBE ZX20, 36H, Disc, 28” Tires : Schwalbe Smart Sam, Active, 44x622, Cassette: Shimano Deore CS-HG500, 11-42T

Crankset: FSA Metropolis Urban AL-8, 15T, 175mm Stem: CUBE Performance Stem Pro, 31.8mm Handlebar: CUBE Rise Trail Bar, 680mm Seatpost: CUBE Performance Post, 27.2mm Seat: CUBE Active 1.1 Battery: Bosch PowerPack 500Wh Engine: Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX Generation 4 (75Nm) Cruise (250Watt), 36V Weight: 21,4 kg

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

Accessories

Bikes are equipped with:

• A helmet
• Lock
• Pumo
• Rear Rack
• Water Bottle cage
• Water bottle
• Repair Kit
• Multi-tool
• Spare Tube

ATTN: Riders who wish to ride using cycling cleats are required to bring their own pedals and a wrench with which to retrieve their own pedals post-tour