
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
Guided Bike & Boat
- Daily Mileage: 9 - 41 miles|
- Biking: 1 - 4 hours|
Starting From
11-day Air Package
$6,995
8-day Bike Tour Only
$5,995
Per person, double occupancy
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
The Saône and Rhône rivers of France and their vineyard-laden banks beg to be explored by bicycle. To help you uncover every last bend along these scenic waterways, we invite you on a luxury river cruise that’s equal parts bicycling vacation. From the culinary capital of Lyon to historic Avignon and the artistic haven of Arles on this France bike and boat adventure, you’ll enjoy lavish amenities aboard a finely appointed river ship, disembarking each day to cycle into the heart of Burgundy and Provence. Join walking tours of medieval riverside treasures and cultural centers. Follow the scenic Via Rhôna bike trail as the river flows alongside you. And pause to tour an olive oil mill, sample wines at fertile vineyards, and savor a French picnic alongside the magnificent Pont du Gard.
Tour Highlights
- Admire the magnificent vistas of France’s most renowned wine regions by river and by bicycle.
- Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river ship cruise and a VBT Bicycling Vacation.
- Ride among the lush, fertile vineyards of Burgundy and Provence, pausing at your leisure for wine tastings and tours.
- Savor a delicious picnic lunch before learning the history of the magnificent Pont du Gard at the renowned Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage site’s museum.
- Walk the cobbled and historic streets of Lyon and Avignon as a local guide brings them alive with history and lore.
What to Expect
On Shore: This tour offers easy riverside terrain, with a few climbs to reach riverside towns. Riding is primarily on bike paths of both pavement and packed gravel, with some road riding through both urban and rural areas. Our VBT support shuttle is available every day at designated points for those who need assistance.
Onboard Ship: Our group of up to 24 VBT guests will be part of a larger group on board our 132-passenger river cruise ship. Every day will include your choice of exclusive VBT activities and opportunities to join others. While in port our ship may be docked adjacent to other ships. This means we may walk through other ships while boarding or disembarking, and some views may be obstructed while in port.
- Daily Mileage: 9 - 41 miles|
- Biking: 1 - 4 hours|
- Group Size: 24
Cycling
Cyclists
Support
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
May67º/50º
Jun73º/57º
Jul80º/61º
Aug79º/60º
Sep72º/54º
Oct61º/47º
Average
Precipitation:
May3 in
Jun3.1 in
Jul2.6 in
Aug3.1 in
Sep3 in
Oct3.4 in
Air Package | Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare | ||
Airport car service for arrival and departure | ||
One night in Paris and one night in Nice in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast | ||
7 nights aboard a deluxe river ship | ||
21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners |

Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Through Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Support Vehicle
Luggage Transportation
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations (Please Note: Days are based on the Air Package Itinerary. Accommodations may vary depending on departure date. )
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2023 Pre-Trip Extension - PARIS
2 Nights From $445 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $345
- 2 nights at the M Social Hotel Paris Opera
- Airport car service for arrival
- Daily breakfast
- City information
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
Start off your first day in Paris right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. a complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Air Package Only
2023 Post-Trip Extension - NICE
2 Nights From $345 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $295
- 2 nights at the Hotel Massena Nice
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City information
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Nice airport will be provided (an approximately 20-minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Sophie & Bruno, the trip guides, are very enjoyable, accommodating and knowledgable about France, the historical sites and culture. The rides were easy, scenic and offered the appropriate level of activity for beginner to intermediate riders who are over 50 and not wanting hilly courses. Sophie and Bruno did provide us with additional options for a couple days when we wanted to go further. The food on the ship was excellent. The hybrid bike I rode and the road bike my husband rode were both very good. The GPS system to guiding us is very good. We did get off…
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
Great trip! Wonderful leaders!!! Sophie and Bruno are two of the best leaders we’ve ever had on a VBT tour (we’ve been on six). Food on the Emerald riverboat was superb. Only criticism is that on my step through hybrid, there wasn’t room on the bar for my water bottle. That made it necessary to stop for a water break and that’s difficult.
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
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