ViaRhône: Annecy to Sète

This 12-day self-guided tour follows the ViaRhôna route from Annecy, on the "purest lake in Europe," down through the Alps and the Rhône Valley to the Mediterranean at Sète. Early stages pass through Savoie's alpine landscapes and Grenoble, ringed by three mountain ranges, before the route settles into the Rhône corridor through Provence's vineyards and garrigue, including the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine regions.

Along the way riders pass Roman heritage sites including the Orange Theatre, Nîmes Arena and Pont du Gard, and the Palais des Papes and medieval ramparts of Avignon. The route continues to Montpellier before finishing on the Mediterranean coast at Sète, a fishing port on the Thau lagoon known for its oyster farms.

Highlights:

• Lake Annecy and the Alpine landscapes of Savoie
• Grenoble, ringed by three mountain ranges
• Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards
• Roman heritage: Orange Theatre, Nîmes Arena, Pont du Gard
• Avignon's Palais des Papes and medieval ramparts
• Mediterranean finish at Sète and the Thau lagoon oyster farms

Surface and terrain:
Shaded riverside bike paths along the Rhône, through Provençal countryside, garrigue, vineyards and orchards, transitioning to lagoon landscapes near the coast.

Likely weather:
Alpine climate at the start, becoming increasingly Mediterranean further south.

Suitable for:
"Sporty," for long-distance riders used to "70km and more/day."