Trace the Rhône River from sun-kissed Provence through some of France’s finest countryside to cosmopolitan Lyon. The scenery is radiant, the wines intriguing, and the surprise of this timeless country is simply delicious.
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Colorful Provence awaits with its honeyed light and fragrant _garrigue_ scrubland • Explore an ancient, massive Roman aqueduct on foot, then meet your bike to spin along the Via Rhôna riverside bike path • Stroll the narrow lanes of Arles, where Vincent van Gogh painted his famous nighttime café • Pedal among the rocky Alpilles mountains • Check out a historic olive oil mill • Enjoy a night in artsy Avignon, still defended by massive medieval fortress walls • Spin through Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s storied vineyards.
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Discover the stone-hewn town of Viviers and its hilltop cathedral • Spin along the Rhône’s car-free bike paths, stopping for coffee in riverside villages or perhaps to try the wine of the house at a local tavern • Sample the vintages in the wine region of Crozes-Hermitage, which produces some respected French favorites • Views abound as you cycle lush forested hillsides and ridgetops in this pastoral slice of France’s heartland.
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Discover the unique fortified core of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, one of the Plus Beaux (Most Beautiful) Villages of France • Stone cottages of ochre-colored river rock are typical of this mountainous region • Cycle bike paths and avenues into Lyon, France’s third-largest city • Take the night off to explore Lyon’s atmospheric alleyways and perhaps sample some local delicacies in a bouchon, or Lyonnais tavern • Cycle the hilly Beaujolais wine country surrounding the city • A local guide introduces us to Lyon’s urban secrets on a stroll through the Old Town • Glittering city lights are our backdrop as we toast to a week of adventure along the Rhône.
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