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NederlandsLes canotiers (Blue)
Embark on the boat of the Canotiers for a little break ! Enjoy a ride on the Rhône with the Sunset Tour or a ride to Valence or Saint Vallier and let yourself be carried along by the river. The sailing is smooth thanks to an electric propulsion system. The catamaran, who looks like a traditional boat, will take you on a noiseless ride. A few minutes on board, and the captain is already taking the road and leaving the quays of Tournon. You will see a unique view facing the Castle of Tournon, perched on its rock. The vines surround you and you can feel a light breeze. The landscapes will pass before your eyes at a calm pace. It’s an experience you must absolutely try, especially if you combine this trip with the velo road of the Dolce Via and the Train de l’Ardèche ( steam train).
The Dolce Via (Green)
90 kilometers of Voie Douce (cycle path) ! The Dolce Via allows you to drive safely on a old railway track, refitted as a voie verte (green path). It’s located at the heart of Ardèche and available by foot, mountain bike (VTT), hybrid bike (VTC), Gravel bike and electric bike… You can start from Lamastre, Saint Agrève or La Voulte sur Rhône, from the Viarhona or from the Canotiers’boat. Saddle up, pedal and go !You’ll see landscapes full of point of views, fauna and flora pass before your eyes at your pace of pedaling. Enjoy beautiful spots by the river to make a well-deserved stop. Dive right inside a postal card !
The Train de l’Ardèche (Steam)
Climb on board of a steam train in the Gorges du Doux in Ardèche ! Located only 1 hour away from the South of Lyon, this period train takes you at the heart of a wild landscape, available only by train, vélorail (rail bike) or hiking. Two paths are available : the Train des Gorges, a stroll of 1h30 (round trip) or the Mastrou to go for the day. The Train de l’Ardèche also has theme trains all year long : the Train Western (Western Train), Easter train, the Ghost Train for Halloween, the Christmas Train… the Market Train during summer to visit the market of Lamastre ( with the diesel engine this time). For your cruise-bike-train weekend, you can leave your bikes in the designated wagon, but keep in mind you have to book your bike’s spot in the train at the same time as your seat !
The bleu vert vapeur trip
Your cruise, bike, train stay is called the bleu-vert-vapeur trip, which implies a great week end only using green mobility. This package can be booked on the website of the Canotiers. It’s also possible to do it the other way around or to leave from Lamastre instead of Tournon sur Rhône. Before booking, we advise you to check the availabilities of the accomodation along the Dolce Via because this trip has to be done on 2 days ( Saturday and Sunday).
For this trip, the Dolce Via is done from the ascending part but with a soft elevation gain, which allows children to take it pretty easily.
Others bike trips !
What if you only go for a day ? You can enjoy the same advantages of the bleu-vert-vapeur trip but without having to book an accomodation !
The Boucle du Doux ( the Doux’s Loop)
Do you still want to combine the Rhône, bike and train ? The Compagnie des Canotiers also offers the Boucle du Doux. Climb on board the catamaran from the Quai Farconnet (Farconnet Quay) in Tournon sur Rhône heading north to Saint Vallier with your bikes and then use the green cycle path Viarhona along the Rhône to come back on the south side, heading to the Train de l’Ardèche in Saint Jean de Muzols. On the way, you can stop for a picnic. When you are at the train station of the Train de l’Ardèche, you can leave your bike safely and climb on board the wagon for a steam train’s ride, surrounded by mountains and the river of Doux. After the ride, you can take your bikes on the green cycle path that will take you back to Tournon sur Rhône.
The Cyclo-Croisière loop (bike-cruise)
With the Cyclo-croisière day trip, you can navigate on the Rhône and then take your bikes. Starting from Tournon sur Rhône, the boat of the Compagnie des Canotiers awaits for you. You can climb on board with your bikes for the Croisière des 3 Château (3 Castles cruise) to Valence while passing a lock ! When in Valence, come back via the Viarhona (23km) to Tournon. You can also choose the Croisière en Hermitage which takes you to Saint Vallier and then take the Viarhona with your bikes to come back to Tournon.
Are you charmed by having the wind in your hair, with the cruise on the Rhône, bike and steam train ? Is it your next destination ? Ardèche Hermitage offers its unmissable activities !
You may also be interested…
December hiking selection
Some activities to do with adolescents around Tournon sur Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage
Some activities for children around Tournon sur Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage
Activities for the small ones around Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage
The Train de l’Ardèche
Our top 5 Picnic spots near Tournon sur Rhône
Cruises on the Rhône from Tournon
Velorail in the Ardèche region
