Renaud VezinVia Fluvia Bike Survey No. 4: The Enchanted Spell
Annonay
Via Fluvia, the cycling route
La Via Fluvia is an essential 96km route which aims to connect two great rivers which never cross: the impetuous Rhône and the wild Loire. The Via Fluvia in Ardèche is about fifteen kilometers long and is still being built to reach Serrières where it will be connected to the Via Rhôna.
Eventually, the total route will reach 120km. This cycle route/greenway makes you discover three departments: the Loire, the Haute-Loire and the Ardèche of course! A roaming to test without further delay, by bike, on foot, by scooter or stroller.
The creation of this route is not due to chance. On the one hand, it uses old railway lines, on the other hand it allows to cross several departments and to join other great routes easily : the Via Rhôna and the Dolce Via.
The Via Fluvia then offers a range of varied atmospheres and incredible discoveries! In a pedal stroke, you go from green landscapes to alleys in the heart of the village. On a stage or while roaming, on the flat or uphill: sports enthusiasts as well as families meet there.
The Pebble with the Owls
The Pebble with the Owls
Les Petits DrômeThe Via Fluvia in Ardèche
From Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay to Annonay: an inventive step
On the Via Fluvia side in Ardèche, you can reach Annonay from the village of Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, on the edge of the Loire department. Ideal for families, it is a fairly flat and very pleasant route. An inventive world then opens its doors to you.
To reach the town of Annonay, follow the Deûme river. It is she who will be your traveling companion during these ten kilometres. She will guide you through the medieval village of Boulieu-lès-Annonay which conceals many treasures.
Take the old railway line to the entrance to Annonay, you are in the footsteps of the Montgolfier brothers and their old factory, today become Montgolfier and Canson paper mill museum. The history of paper and the inventions of the Cansons will have no more secrets for you. This museum is also the only one in the world to show you a moving paper machine!
Once arrived in the heart of Annonay, enjoy a visit under the sign of heritage by following a route to discover the famous personalities who have contributed to the reputation of the city.
On the Place des Cordeliers takes place the first hot air balloon flight in 1783. And yes! The Montgolfier brothers were certainly renowned papermakers but also inventors at the origin of the conquest of the air.
For those who wish to do a lazy break, take advantage of the sunny terraces to have a drink and why not, taste the local specialty : the Pink Pantin of Annonay! In the shape of men, animals or even hot air balloons, you will fall for this delicacy from the Ardèche and can even take away some sweets as souvenirs.
J. Damase
Renaud Vezin
From Annonay to Lac de Vert: a natural destination
JP GirardAlways along the old railway lines From rue Pierre de Coubertin, extend this stage to Lac de Vert. The smoothness of the route and the green landscapes that surround you are conducive to peace. five kilometers away, you discover Green Lake. Popular with fishermen, it is a pleasant natural site for walking in the cool air and relaxing in the shade of a tree. However, swimming is prohibited there.
Join the Via Rhôna from the Via Fluvia
While waiting for the final completion of the Via Fluvia, to join the Via Rhôna, two solutions are available to you. In both cases, be careful to be careful, alternative routes are used by motorized vehicles!
Alternative 1: Annonay-Sarras
From the Tourist Office in downtown Annonay, take rue Greffier Chomel (voie de Deûme) and continue straight. When you reach the second roundabout, take the second exit (route de la roche Péréandre). One kilometer further on, turn right to join the D270 towards the Cance valley. From there, 15 kilometers of a relatively quiet departmental road await you. Admire this steep and wild valley, stop to photograph the Roche Péréandre, this monolithic rock planted in the middle of the Cance river. Then join the departmental road D86, being careful, in the direction of Sarras (on your right, towards the South). Arrived in Sarras, cross the bridge to join Saint-Vallier and the Via Rhôna. In total, you need to allow around twenty kilometers for this route, or one hour of active pedaling.
Alternative 2: Vernosc-Sarras
From Midon station (Vernosc-lès-Annonay), follow the Route de la Gare towards the village of Vernosc-lès-Annonay. After one kilometer, turn left towards Chemin de Chal. At the end of the path, turn right to stay on Chemin de Chal, then left onto Route de Vert. A few meters further, turn right onto Route de Tourtel. Now for the descent and the serpentines to the Cance valley, a little-used departmental road. Then join the D86 departmental road, being careful, towards Sarras (on your right, towards the South). When you arrive in Sarras, cross the bridge to reach Saint-Vallier and the Via Rhôna. In total, you need to allow around ten kilometers for this route, or forty minutes of active pedaling.
The (almost) complete itinerary
There are still portions of the route that are not completed. To view information on these portions, go to the Via Fluvia website.
Via Fluvia by bike – Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue – Bourg-Argental
Bourg-argental
Via Fluvia – Yssingeaux – Raucoules
Yssingeaux
Via Fluvia – Lavoûte-sur-Loire – Yssingeaux
Lavoute-sur-Loire
Via Fluvia – Serrières
Serrieres
Via Fluvia – Annonay – Lac de Vert
Annonay
Via Fluvia – Raucoules – Riotord
hoarse
Via Fluvia – Bourg-Argental – Annonay
Annonay
Play on the Via Fluvia in Ardèche
The Annonay and Serrières game booklets are now available at the Annonay Tourist Office! These enigma trails on foot or by bike are accessible to the whole family. From 2h to 3h, it's a good way to motivate the troops for a Sunday ride!
The goal is to find the ingredients of a magic potion.
Four other booklets are available in Bourg-Argental, Yssingeaux, Lavoûte-sur-Loire and Dunières.
Tourist Office Ardèche Grand AirRenaud Vezin
DR/Via FluviaPlayful investigation on foot – The spell of the Via Fluvia
Grazac
Pixabay and Dimitri SANIALFun investigation on foot No. 6: The spell of the Via Fluvia and the banks of the Rhône
Champagne
DR/RandolandPlayful investigation by bike – The Spell of the Via Fluvia
Yssingeaux
Dimitri SANIALFun bike investigation No. 6: The spell of the Via Fluvia and the banks of the Rhône
Champagne
Playful survey on foot: the spell of the Via Fluvia
Riotord
Tourist Office Ardèche Grand AirVia Fluvia Foot Investigation No. 4: The Enchanted Spell
Annonay
Via Fluvia Investigation No. 5: The Enchanted Spell
Bourg-argental
Playful investigation by bike: the spell of the Via Fluvia
dunieres
Preparing for your arrival
We take you…
Nothing like a video immersion to discover the Via Fluvia in Ardèche and prepare for your next outing!
I have lots of questions!
There aren't any! It's up to you to choose according to your stages, your desires, the weather or simply the proximity to your departure point!
Three days is the average to take your time and give yourself the opportunity to make detours or visits.
No, not yet. We still need to cross Annonay, the junction between Vernosc-lès-Annonay and Serrières and the Col du Tracol in Saint-Sauveur en Rue.
96 kilometers have already been completed! Great sensations and discoveries are already waiting for you.
The Via Fluvia is both a greenway and a cycle route. A greenway is only dedicated to non-motorized vehicles (pedestrians, cyclists), while the cycle route is shared with motorized vehicles. Rest assured, however, there are facilities to ensure the safety of non-motorized people.
Please note that, as the route is not yet completely finished, there are alternative routes that take roads where motor vehicles circulate. Caution is advised!
The vast majority of the route is on hard surface. The sandy surfaces are indicated on the map (between Saint-Julien-du-Pinet and Beaulieu) and we recommend a mountain bike or hybrid bike for these.
Yes, drop off your car in the upper levels of the Valette car park in Annonay, located a few meters from the Via Fluvia. It is a car park with no time limit and free of charge.
Those located near Annonay are to be found on this page.
To find them all along the route (as well as the repairers), go to on the Via Fluvia website.
In the tourist offices of Annonay or Serrières of course! Labeled Accueil Vélo, we have everything you need to make your trip easier (repair kit, list of bike-friendly accommodation, etc.)!
Yes! The Via Fluvia is open to all. Cyclists, pedestrians, rollerbladers, scooter riders, strollers… respect everyone’s practices!
There is the Maile postale service for transporting bicycles, luggage or people.
More about the Via Fluvia website.
By train :
The nearest train station is Péage-de-Roussillon in Isère. From this station, you can take the X75 regional bus (Lyon-Annonay).
Please note that bicycles are taken care of on board coaches, by reservation for each journey, except Sundays and public holidays, 48 hours in advance at 04 8000 7000 Maximum: 2 bicycles in the hold. Electric bicycles, even folding ones, are not accepted on board.
By bus:
The Ardèche intercity bus network can be found on the Oura website
Regional bus lines E3 and E3+ Annonay / Tournon / Valence
Regional bus line E4 – Annonay / Roussillon toll
Regional bus line E7 – Annonay / Lamastre
Regional bus line E8 – Annonay / Lalouvesc
Regional bus line L17 – Annonay / Saint-Etienne
Regional bus line X75 – Annonay / Lyon by the Roussillon toll
We can recharge it at the Tourist Office in Annonay or Serrières during our opening hours. Otherwise, there are two terminals along the route: one in Bourg-Argental, the other in Yssingeaux (details on the map).