ViaRhôna TR1 - Lake Geneva > Lyon in 7 days by bike

The team of the Franco-Swiss tourist office of Saint-Gingolph welcomes you and offers you all the tourist information you need!

A former 14th-century stronghold and now a member of the association of France's Most Beautiful Villages, Yvoire bears its heritage with pride and elegance. Whatever the season, come and discover the treasures of this medieval town on the shores of Lake Geneva.Once a fishing village on the shores of Lake Geneva, this medieval town is now a must-see tourist attraction. Valuable 14th-century remains remain: gates, ramparts, castle, square tower... You'll also notice the splendid gleaming bulbous bell tower of Saint Pancrace church. To the delight of visitors, the medieval town can be visited on foot. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets and discover Yvoire's pretty stone houses and two harbors. Throughout your visit, you'll enjoy beautiful views over the lake. You'll also have the pleasure of finding the Jardin des Cinq Sens, inspired by the poetic atmosphere of medieval labyrinths. Several intimate gardens with evocative names invite you to awaken your senses and discover new things: the garden of taste, smell, touch... For further information, don't hesitate to contact the tourist office on the town hall square. On the lake side, depending on the season, you can enjoy a variety of activities: - guided cruises aboard the Odina, Lake Geneva's first hybrid passenger boat - theme cruises or lake tours with Compagnie Générale de Navigation - wake sessions, towed buoys, apéro boat, private cruises... with Get Up Wake Club - a small beach in Yvoire to cool off on during your visit You'll find plenty of boutiques, designers, galleries, restaurants, hotels and self-catering accommodation on site. The village is freely accessible all year round. If you'd like to take your visit a little further, both are a 20-minute walk from the medieval town: - Nernier, the pearl of Lake Geneva, a pretty village of colorful houses with poets' phrases inscribed in the stone. For a romantic lakeside getaway. - Domaine de Rovorée - La Châtaignière, a large natural walking area accessible from the voie verte. Forest with tall trees, paths along the lake, remains of an ancient medieval town and beautiful panoramic views.

Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, make Fort l'Ecluse an unmissable place to discover and enjoy... Well beyond the borders of Pays de Gex.Perched high above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the horizon. Over 700 years old, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them on guided or self-guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the "Au cœur de la Cluse" exhibition and the spectacular sound and light show "Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history". Something for everyone! Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, plunge "Into the heart of the storm" and "Discover the little rhinolophes", the bats of the Fort. This year, 2 new temporary exhibitions: "Intimité sauvage", fantastic animal photos by Adrien Favre, and "Gendarmes résistants dans l'Ain, le choix de l'impossible" by the association Mémoires de l'Ain 1939 - 1945. Summer events are sure to get you moving: the 12th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles, historical re-enactments... And for those who want to get moving, there's a range of sporting activities: an adventure course with a breathtaking view of the upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hiking trails. And let's not forget the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery linking the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.

Less than an hour from Lyon, explore the picturesque alleyways of the old town of Morestel by following this heritage trail along Rue Ravier. From St Symphorien church to the Medieval Tower, Morestel reveals all its secrets.The special light of Morestel has attracted many an artist... and the picturesque medieval setting of this ancient fortified village adds even more charm to its appeal. Morestel still boasts many traces of its historical past. Explore the alleyways of the upper part of the town, generally known as the "Old Town", and let the Heritage Trail guide you through the history of Morestel. Morestel grew at the foot of the rock on which the castle stands. The village was almost certainly surrounded by a rampart wall during the first half of the 14th century. There were two entrance gates, the Saint Symphorien gate, of which traces are still visible on the wall, and the Murine gate, at the other end of the village's shopping street, called "Grande Vie" (from the latin word "via", meaning road). This street was renamed "Rue Ravier" in 1945. Outside the castle walls, two districts developed near these gates. Within the enclosure, a profusion of houses, some of them backing onto the rampart wall, as well as barns and parks were built, along with the so-called "Fortified Manor Houses" of the local nobility

Belley, historic and religious capital of Bugey . A bishopric since the 6th century, Belley has left its religious mark on the whole of Bugey: cathedral, churches, chapels....In Gallo-Roman times, Belley was one of the region's most important towns, benefiting from its position as a crossroads on the road linking Lyon and Geneva. Recent excavations have uncovered a vast spa complex. The town's emblem is the she-wolf, the etymology of Belley referring to Bellone, the Roman goddess of war, represented by this animal. Don't miss the bronze she-wolf in the Grande Rue, sculpted by Colette Sonzogni. 1077: Bugey is ceded by the Holy Roman Empire to the House of Savoy. After the Treaty of Lyon in 1601, marking the attachment of Bugey to France, Belley became the seat of the Baillage and was administratively attached to the province of Burgundy. To admire: the inner courtyard of the Tourist Office, former seat of the Baillage. St Jean Baptiste Cathedral: Classified as a historic monument, Belley's neo-Gothic Cathédrale St Jean-Baptiste was built on the site of the 12th-century cathedral, of which only traces remain on the north portal. For the most part, it dates from the 19th century. Palais épiscopal and Parc Jean-Pierre Camus: Listed as a historic monument since 1932, the former 18th-century bishop's palace was bought by the town in 1978 and now houses the municipal library, the Société Savante Le Bugey, and serves as an exhibition and reception hall. To discover : The park, entirely renovated in 2010 by the City of Belley to make it a place to relax and stroll. The courtyards: Numerous 15th-century courtyards line the Grande Rue. Discover them on tours organized by the Tourist Office, including the courtyard of the birthplace of Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, the famous gastronome and author of the culinary treatise "The Physiology of Taste".

Located 40km away from Lyon, the medieval city of Crémieu has an authentic and impressive architectural legacy. The first buildings are from the 12th century. Thanks to the map of the town, with its numbered dots, you can discover all the interesting spots.A numbered itinerary, available free of charge from the information desks of the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office, allows you to discover all the monuments. The emblematic monuments of Crémieu, Petite Cité de Caractère, include: - The Château Delphinal (12th century), from the top of its strategic promontory, bears witness to the town's development (not open to the public). - The fortified gates (14th century), including the Porte de La Loi, restored in 2023. - The market hall (15th century), unique in Isère, - The Augustinian convent built against the ramparts (14th-19th century) and its cloister (17th century). These are the visible traces of a past when Crémieu was an important military, economic and religious center of the first order. The medieval city of Crémieu is classified as a ZPPAUP (Urban and Rural Architectural Heritage Protection Zone).

To be seen only with a guide ! From the entrance, great view on the Arve Valley. A door closes the entrance. A lot of marvellous natural sculptures can be discovered: "Salle des Cloches" or "Salle du Voile de la Mariée"...

Small pools, labyrinths, concretions and a lake: the Grottes de La Balme, located 40 minutes from Lyon, are rich in what nature has shaped. Discover a rare and exceptional natural site offering an unusual insight into the underground world!Arrive under this impressive porch and enter the bowels of the cliff to discover labyrinths, an underground lake, stalactites and stalagmites, an amphitheater of small pools... that's what the Grottes de La Balme have to offer. Take your time on a self-guided tour lasting around 1 hour 15 minutes, or take a guided tour (booking required). Visited since 1807, the Grottes de La Balme reveal their history and mysteries as you explore 1,000 meters of underground galleries. Located in the Nord-Isère region, in the center of the village of La Balme-les-Grottes, the caves are an exciting detour in the Balcons du Dauphiné region. Round off your day with a free visit to the Espace Naturel Sensible “Les Coteaux de Saint-Roch”, with its signposted path and discovery booklet. This protected natural area allows you to observe the particular features of the cliffs, forest and dry grasslands surrounding the Grottes de La Balme, home to numerous species of protected plants and animals. Become true adventurers with our 100% family-friendly activities! A playful visit with Archibalme's Investigation: young and old alike will be delighted. Summer and winter alike, the underground world never ceases to amaze! The souvenir store is open at the same time as the caves, and offers a wide range of gifts: crockery, textiles, stones, a selection of books and other must-have items for yourself or as a gift.

Its 3000 hectares of undeveloped land, 2200 hectares of natural park, 850 hectares of forest and 600 hectares of protected environment make it one of the largest peri-urban natural parks in Europe.The 350 hectare lake and its beaches offer delightful opportunities for bathing. There are more than 1,000 species of animals and plants represented, including 230 bird species, 25 mammal species, 40 types of dragonfly (studies of bats), and 800 plants (including more than 33 types of wild orchid). The Grand Parc de Miribel Jonage has been given "Lyon Ville equitable and durable" ("Lyon, a town devoted to fair and sustainable practices") approval. A third of the 400 hectares of crops are certified organic, including 6 hectares of hemp. There is also a wide range of sporting activities available at the Grand Parc of Miribel Jonage with marked paths, nature discovery trails, tennis, table tennis, badminton, archery, climbing, trampolining, golf (9 hole course) and a golf practice putting-green! You can also enjoy the rollerblade and mountain bike paths, rope bridges and a 212 m descent above Eaux Bleues Lake. Hire of catamarans, sailing boats, windsurfing and surf boards, canoes, rowing boats, small boats etc. Grand Parc also has riding centres that offer horse-drawn carriage rides in July and August. There is a gym and a sauna. Refreshment stalls and picnic areas are also available. Dogs are allowed in the park if they are kept on a leash.

427 ha, that is 10 % of the city of Lyon, were classified UNESCO world heritage on December 5th, 1998.Founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. as the capital of the Three Gauls, the city has continued to play a major role in Europe's political, cultural and economic development ever since, and is vividly illustrated by its urban fabric and the many fine historic buildings from all periods. In all, 500 hectares have been listed and in particular four districts which superbly represent Lyon's history. Fourvière, the first of the historical sites, gives us a very accurate idea of the ancient world in Lyon thanks to its Gallo-Roman site. Old Lyon is a magnificent mediaeval and Renaissance district. La Croix-Rousse was listed for its industrial heritage, concerned mainly with the silk industry. Finally, the Presqu'île area features an architectural style typical of the 19th century. UNESCO chose Lyon as this is a city which has been faithfully preserved throughout the years. Nothing has been destroyed in these districts.

La ville de Lyon vous propose un voyage à travers le temps et l’art de vivre à la Française. De la gastronomie au Patrimoine Historique en passant par la lumière et la soie, la ville possède de nombreux atouts qui en font une destination idéale.- Lyon Patrimoine Mondial Théâtre de plus de 2000 ans d’Histoire, la ville possède un remarquable patrimoine culturel et a permis d’inscrire 500 ha de centre-ville au Patrimoine Mondial de l’Unesco. - Capitale de la Gastronomie Française Lyon est une référence en matière d’art culinaire. Elle compte une douzaine de restaurants étoilés au Guide Michelin et plus de 1600 restaurants : « Bouchons » (restaurants typiques), bistrots, etc. - Une vie culturelle dense Lyon possède de nombreux musées, comme le Musée Lumière (où le cinématographe fût inventé par les Frères Lumière) et le Musée des Tissus (retraçant 2000 ans d’histoire du textile). Des événements rythment la ville toute l’année, à l’image des Biennales d’Art Contemporain et de la Danse, du Grand Lyon Film Festival et de la Fête des Lumières. - Lyon et la Soie C’est à Lyon qu’a été créé le métier à tisser mécanique. L’activité de soie reste importante grâce à de nombreux ateliers toujours actifs. - Ville Lumière Lyon entretient depuis le 8 décembre 1852 des liens privilégiés avec la lumière associée à la tradition populaire et a même propulsé cette fête traditionnelle en un événement international appelé la Fête des Lumières.

It is since 1964 the 1st conservation area of France and one of the vastest groups Renaissance of Europe, 24 ha. At the foot of the slopes of the hill of Fourvière since V °, there is of medieval period an archaeological garden towards the cathedral.During the Renaissance, its peak, neighborhoods are organized around three religious buildings: in the south, Saint George with the craftsmen; central location, Saint John, area of the upper clergy and aristocracy; in the north, Saint Paul district of the "bourgeoisie", financial and commercial center. Large families of Italian bankers and merchants have established themselves, by building sumptuous residences. In 1960, the Old Lyon was in a sad state. Many buildings were threatened and urban projects planned destruction and mutilation. Thanks to the action of the State ( André Malraux, Minister of Culture ), the association "Renaissance Vieux Lyon" and the City, Old Lyon was the first French Quarter "safeguarded area" in 1964. * Rue Saint Jean, 368 m long, and place Saint Jean 2548 m². * The House Turquet impasse Turquet in St-Georges, the oldest house in Lyon (1524), with wooden balconies * The Moorish House, in the corner of quai Fulchiron and avenue A. Max, the most recent of the Old Lyon, built in 1845 by Pierre Bossan. * A kernel without staircase, 10 rue Lainerie * Hotel Bullioud: in the courtyard, fallopian gallery of Philibert Delorme, 8 rue Juiverie * The Government House, 2 place du Gouvernement * Hotel Laurencin: spiral staircase, 24 rue St-Jean * Hotel Paterin or Maison Henri IV, 4 rue Juiverie * The House of Antoine Groslier of Servière, 11 rue Juiverie * The House Baronat, 22 ure Juiverie * The House of Chamarier: sink of Philibert Delorme, 37 rue St Jean * The Maison du Crible with the Tour Rose, 16 rue du Boeuf * The House Dugas or the House of the Lions, 23 rue Juiverie * La Maison Le Viste, 27 rue St Jean * The House of Mourguet, 2 place St Paul * The House Thomassin, 2 place du Change