La Via Fluvia bike tour

La Via Fluvia bike tour 6 to 7 days
From 820 € *
/ PERSON
  • Duration: 6 to 7 days
  • Distance: 197 Km
  • Level: Easy

Venture along the Via Fluvia and enjoy a wonderful scenic route back.

Set off to explore the Loire along a new cycle path called the Via Fluvia, which joins Lavoute-sur-Loire with Tracol in the Ardèche. Look around the quaint villages dotted along this cycle path, which follows the former La Galoche railway line that linked the Loire valley with the Rhône valley. The trains are long gone: it’s now time to explore this trail on an electric bike!

A 6-day trip along the cycle path, taking in the Château de Lavoute-Polignac, the Corboeuf ravines, the Flemish paintings in Montfaucon church, Lavalette lake and much more, before joining Saint James’ Way (the Geneva Route) and the characteristic country roads of the Haute-Loire.

  • Difference in altitude: 2840 m – Cycle path, ountry roads and easy trails
  • Easy route that is suitable for all abilities and can be completed as a family
  • Family Tour : From 14 with an e-bike (According to cycling ability)
  • Price (per person, on a basis of 2 people sharing)
  • Guesthouses & 2 or 3* hotels

Two formulas to choose from:

  • 7-day travel package: according to the description of the stay
  • 6-day travel package: without last night planned in Puy-en-Velay

 

Advantages of going on an electric bike tour with L’Autre Chemin:

  • A self guided tour, you follow a specially-planned route with short stages so that you can make the most of your time in the Haute-Loire.
  • Extra, we provide modern electric bikes that are both comfortable and easy to ride. L’Autre Chemin can also supply children’s bikes or trailers.
  • Your stopovers are in guesthouses or family-friendly hotels, providing a comfortable and authentic base from which you can discover the local area and enjoy a real change of scenery.
  • Your luggage is transported to each stopover (you only need to carry what you need for the day with you).
  • Day y day
    Day 1 : Your arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

    A nice opportunity to discover the ancient town an the European capital of Saint-James way.

    To do, to see :
    • Le Puy-en-Velay
    > Crozatier Museum
    > Notre-Dame de France
    > L’Hôtel-Dieu
    > Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel
    > The medieval town
    > The Cathedral
    > Pass 3 monuments

    Day 2 : Le Puy-en-Velay - Beaulieu - 31km - D+375m

    After taking possession of your bike, you will ride all day (or almost) along the Loire − first along the cycle path and then on the road − before joining the Via Fluvia, which follows the path of the disused La Galoche railway line.

    To do, to see :

    • Brives-Charensac
    > The bridges

    • The untamed Loire valley

    • Lavoûte sur Loire
    > Lavoûte-Polignac's Castle
    > Aqua-leisure center "Aquapassion"
    > The pouds of the Loire valley

    • Beaulieu
    > The pond of la Plaine
    > Nôtre-Dame Church (XIIème siècle)
    > Adiac Castle
    > Horse-riding
    > Sport shooting center
    > The farm of Beaulieu

    Day 3 : Beaulieu - Montfaucon - 44km - D+ 620m

    Throughout the day you will be reminded of La Galoche, which was used by the steam train that ran from Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Tournon-sur-Rhône in the Ardèche. From Yssingeaux, the cycle path is tarmacked, which makes for an incredible ride! It's a real pleasure riding safely through the countryside!

    To do, to see :
    • Rosières
    > The Corboeuf ravines
    > The Moulin du Pinard

    • Yssingeaux
    > The Church and its pantings
    > The chapel of the penitents
    > Saint-Roch museum
    > Ceramic art-craft
    > Saussac archeological site

    • Grazac
    > Le Prieuré -Clunisian site
    > The little chapel
    > The house of snails
    > Saint's bridge

    • Lapte
    > The church and its tower

    • Raucoules
    > The Velay express steam train
    >The train museum

    • Montfaucon
    > Le Jardin du Mirandou,
    > The Notre-dame church with 12 flemish paintings

    Day 4 : Montfaucon - St Bonnet le Froid - 41km - D+ 670m

    From the cycle path to Saint James' Way
    Cycle out of the town of Dunières over trails and through forests to the Tracol pass, from which you can admire views of the Loire valley, then follow Saint James' Way through the heart of a beautiful forest before reaching Saint-Bonnet-le Froid, the capital of Haute-Loire gastronomy.

    To do, to see :

    • Dunières
    > The rail-biking
    > The roman church
    > Industrial thematic path
    • Riotord
    > Fishing pond
    > Cisterscian site of Clavas

    • Le Tracol
    > A 1000m height pass
    > The magnificent forest

    • Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid
    > The village and the Church
    > Les sources du Haut-Plateau spa

    Day 5 : St Bonnet le Froid - Tence - 35km - D+280m

    From the cycle path to Saint James' Way
    Cycling on the GR 7 & G4R30 ...
    You drive on a magnificent and flavory path in the forest to reach the Devesset and its lake. You then take the road to join the Chambon-sur-Lignon then Lapte by finding the Way of Santiago de Compostela.

    To do, to see :

    • Devesset
    > The lake

    • Le Chambon sur Lignon :
    > Swimming pool
    > Velay express steam train
    > Hope & memory museum
    > Hores riding
    > Rop course
    > The golf of Chambon-sur-Lignon

    • Tence
    > Swimming pool
    > Horse-riding
    > Gyropod escapade
    > Putting Golf

    Day 6 : Tence - Le Puy-en-Velay - 50km - D+ 840m

    Back to your starting point by discovering the Pic du Lizieux, then the Sucs of the Meygal before reaching the village of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil.
    We will be waiting for you at the agency in the afternoon where you will leave your bikes. A last night in Puy-en-Velay ( Bed & breakfast option) to regain strength after a beautiful cycling odyssey. You can also delete this night when booking ... The choice is yours!

    To do, to see :

    • Araules
    > The Pic du Lizieux

    • Saint-Jeures
    > Salcrupt Castle
    > Saint-Georges Church

    • Queyrières
    > Volcano chimney

    • Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
    > Roman church

    • Saint-Germain-Laprade
    > Château du Bourg
    > Remains of the old Abbey of Doue

    • Brives-Charensac
    > The bridges spanning the Loire
    That of the 13th century Chartreuse, the 12th century old bridge in the center of Brives-Charensac, of which only two arches remain and the Pont Gallard used by cars.

    Journée 7 : Le Puy-en-Velay

    End of your trip after the breakfast. If you do not need, this stay, you can suppress while booking.

  • This price includes

    Prices include: 

    • Accommodation in double, twin, triple or multiple room according to the booking with half-board (except the first stay in Le Puy booked on B&B option)
    • French holiday tax,
    • Baggage transfers (1 bag maxi 13kg / pax) to every stopover,
    • A digital guiding solution and a map
    • Telephone assistance

    Extra 

    • Bike rental
    • Single room
    • Suppress the last night in Le Puy

    Prices do not include:

    • Transport and transfers to the starting point,
    • Any meals included in the selected option, drinks,
    • Spending money, any optional visits or activities,
    • Cancellation or multiple-risk insurance
    • Agency fees 
  • Extras & services

    As an optional extra, L’Autre Chemin offers:

    Bike rental

    • L’Autre Chemin offers the rental of hybrid bikes + 2 panniers + bike insurance: + €175 / bike
    • L’Autre Chemin offers the rental of standard trekking bikes + 2 panniers + bike insurance: +110€ / bike

     

  • Accommodation

    L’Autre Chemin has teamed up with a selection of guesthouses and small, traditional hotels to offer guests the best that the Haute-Loire has to offer, ensuring that every stopover is an opportunity to learn about the architecture, lifestyle, gastronomy and local people of this region.

    Example of accommodation

    Hôtel le Fort du Pré

    Guest house Les Herbes de la saint-Jean

    Hotel de la Poste – Tence

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