The Mediterranean by bike
Linking the Pyrenees to the Alps, Spain to Italy via the crossroads of France, this is the ambition of La Méditerranée à vélo. The French section of EuroVelo 8, La Méditerranée à vélo first climbs the Pyrenees chain via a section of the Catalan Pirinexus route. This cycle route reinvents a way of discovering the Mediterranean arc at your own pace. Combining the sea, mountains, lakes, marshes, canals and a sublime heritage, a legacy of the Roman Empire common to the Mediterranean region, the promise of this beautiful route is to link Le Perthus to Menton on a typical adventure bike route. Borrowing the most southern section of the Canal du Midi, but also one of the final sections of ViaRhôna, this cycle route will ensure a unique experience to enjoy the south of France... by bike.
From Port Camargue to Espiguette: to discover the Gard coastline, there is nothing more pleasant than cycling along the Espiguette greenway. Nearly 7 km of greenway in "classified site" where hikers, runners, cyclists, scooters, roller-skaters, strollers and people with reduced mobility mix in a friendly atmosphere. A very authentic route where, from Grau-du-Roi to the beach of Espiguette, you will walk through the Great Site of France of the Camargue Gardoise. Do not miss to observe the fauna and the flora which surround you before being completely disorientated in this unique dune universe which is the beach of Espiguette.
Signposting and development of the route
The Mediterranean by bike is still in progress on certain sections.
The logo of the Mediterranean by bike accompanied by its identifier "EuroVelo 8" is indicated on the signposting on the finalized portions.
Types of cycling facilities :
-42% on cycle lanes
- 58% on small roads with little trafficThe Via Rhôna
To take you from the shores of Lake Geneva to the beaches of the Mediterranean by bike following the river Rhône is the declared ambition of ViaRhôna! Ride along this route of civilisations with over 2,000 years of history, between the Mediterranean and Europe. Landscapes, towns and villages, vineyards and gastronomy will follow the rhythm of the territories crossed. Until the ViaRhôna is completed, temporary routes are being offered to cyclists in certain places.
From Villeneuve-lez-Avignon to Grau-du-Roi:
Arriving in the Gard via Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the Via Rhôna heads out into the open sea, offering sublime routes for cycling. Between marshes and vineyards, rice fields and holm oak forests, towns of character and exceptional historical heritage, the routes here are an opportunity to discover a preserved natural territory of singular wild beauty. From the Rhone valley to the Rhone to Sète canal to the sea channel leading to the Grau-du-Roi and the Grande Bleue, this Gard route will eventually represent 100 km of tracks. From Villeneuve-les-Avignon to the Grau-du-Roi, these cycle routes link people to their heritage and landscapes to their biodiversity. Preserved treasures offered to your eyes during your gentle travels in the Gard.Signposting and development of the route
ViaRhôna is 96% signposted. The ViaRhôna logo and its EuroVelo 17 identifier are shown on the signposting.
Types of cycling facilities :
-56% on cycle lanes
- 44% on small roads with little traffic
Routes interconnected with ViaRhôna - La Méditerranée à Vélo (connection at Beaucaire)La grande traversée du Massif Central : The largest mountain bike itinerary in France
The Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) is a 1,380 km route linking Avallon (Morvan) to Agde, via the Mont Aigoual and the Cirque de Navacelles. It is the first Grande Traversée de France to be accessible to electrically assisted mountain bikes (VTTAE). In 2015, the Department applied to the Massif Central authorities to develop the GTMC for mountain bikes, with 60,000 € of departmental investment. From Mont-Aigoual to Alzon, via Le Vigan and the Cirque de Navacelles, the 90 km of the Gard route has been open since summer 2020.
1,360 km to cover from the Morvan to the Mediterranean
5 natural parks crossed
30,000 metres of vertical drop
Numerous entry and exit points on the route
A VTTAE compatible route
The route has been designed to be accessible to as many people as possible:
The route is specifically signposted.
The route is marked out specifically for this purpose. Short circuits can be completed in 3 days (and up to 1 week) within the route
For the most courageous: the entire route can be completed in 3 to 6 weeks
