Lyon, here is a city with many charms! If you are an electric bike enthusiast, you will appreciate the walking routes to discover the City of Lights in several facets. Whether you live in the region or elsewhere, you will always find a new adventure in Lyon or an idea to explore this splendid locality in a different way.
In this article, we offer you some itineraries that you will not soon forget in order to fully enjoy the Cité des Gones by VAE. In this selection of e-bike rides, you will have a bit of everything: from the most famous circuits to unusual discoveries, including escapades in the great outdoors.
Discovering Lyon’s must-see attractions from Place Bellecour
Just as you can explore several Parisian routes by e-bike , you will also be able to travel around Lyon aboard your electric-assist bike. To start this first adventure, go to Place Bellecour. The largest pedestrian square on the entire European continent, it occupies an area of more than 60,000 m². From this square, you will enjoy an exceptional view to contemplate the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the architectural style of the surroundings.
Continue your journey by heading towards the banks of the Rhône. To do this, take the cycle path from Place Bellecour which ends at Place Antonin Poncet. You will then reach the Pont de la Guillotière via which you will have access to the riverbank cycle path. You can walk part of the ViaRhôna, a cycle route covering a distance of 815 km. This connects Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean.
Continue along the banks of the Rhône where you will come across a pleasantly wooded area. This will take you to Parc de la Tête d’Or. Throughout your VAE stroll, you will admire barges, reinforcing the typical atmosphere of the capital of Gaul. You can take a little break to quench your thirst a little. On site, you will find arches to park your electric cargo bike. You can also enjoy play areas with slides. This is good if you do your e-bike ride with your little ones.
When you arrive at the Porte des Enfants du Rhône, at Parc de la Tête d’Or, you have two options. You can either enter the park while driving your car, or leave your electric bike outside and enjoy a few minutes of walking. But your ride doesn't end there. After that, head towards Place des Terreaux, going back to the banks and crossing the Pont Morand.
You will pass by the Opera, a building which has undergone renovation work. On its pediment, you will see eight statues of Muses. Opposite this site, you will come across the Hôtel de Ville, one of the most notable architectural treasures of Lyon. Don't stop, and go to Place des Terreaux. It is located near the Museum of Fine Arts. Don't miss the majestic Bartholdi fountain in the heart of the square.
You will then join the Pont de la Feuillée which will take you to the cycle path of the banks of the Saône de Saint-Paul. You will find yourself in Vieux-Lyon, where you will immerse yourself in the Renaissance and medieval district of Lyon. To complete your adventure, return to Place Bellcour via the Saône until you see the Bonaparte Bridge.
Lyon by VAE on the nature side: an unusual route to the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage
Just a stone's throw north of Lyon, the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage is a must-see place to recharge your batteries and explore the city in the heart of a green setting. For this excursion on a two-seater electric bike, we recommend that you dedicate a whole day to it, and prepare a packed lunch for a lunch break. Don't forget to equip yourself with a lock to secure your bike when you make stops. There are several models, including anti-theft handcuffs for bikes , anti-theft cables and U-locks.
This walk consists mainly of flat paths. It will take you sometimes on cycle paths and sometimes on the road or on gravel paths. To start the walk, start from the banks of the Rhône, on the Pont de la Guillotière. Walk along the banks towards the Parc de la Tête d’Or. Then enter the Feyssine Natural Park. Wooded site located on the edge of a river, it includes cycling and walking trails. You will observe a richly varied flora and fauna. Here is a beautiful shaded place where you can have a picnic.
To continue, go towards Boulevard Bonnevay, then onto Rue de la Feyssine. You will cross the Rhône to regain passage over the Croix Luizet motorway bridge. You will reach Rue Eugène Pottier which will direct you to Rue du Canal. You will only have to follow the Canal de Jonage to end up at the park. Here, you will enjoy numerous beaches, areas and facilities of all kinds to experience pleasant and memorable moments. It should be noted that the entire route is completed over around thirty kilometers.
Heading for Renaissance and modern Lyon: from the Confluence district to Old Lyon
This third e-bike journey is an invitation to return to the past. You will become better acquainted with the architectural trends that marked the construction of the city, from the contemporary era to the Middle Ages. Start at Cours Charlemagne, where you will begin your journey contemplating the modern architecture of the Orange Cube. Located in the former industrial port of the City of Lights, the Orange Cube is characterized by its ornament and its color, reminiscent of the rust that we usually see on the frames of ships. It was erected in honor of the industrial past of the locality.
Then take the cycle path which runs along the Saône. You will see a series of buildings representative of the neighborhood. You will be able to admire various monuments, witnesses of distinct influences and periods: the Cube Vert, the Sucrière, the Ycone tower... A few steps away, at the junction of the Saône and the Rhône, you will reach the Musée des Confluences. Great heir to the Guimet Museum, this museum is dedicated to civilizations and history. Consider taking a trip to the roof, from where you will enjoy a panoramic view of all of Lyon.
If you wish, you can rest and have a snack on the other bank of the Rhône, in order to have a view of the museum. To do this, simply cross the Raymond Barre Bridge and continue along the cycle path. You will arrive at the banks. Here, you will find a straight path which will take you towards the Parc de la Tête d’Or. After that, you will go up the river and you will access play areas, bowling alleys or areas designed for practicing physical activity.
You will then have to cross the Lattre-de-Tassigny Bridge which immediately opens onto the Croix-Rousse tunnel. This underground route of almost 1.7 km will allow you to admire exhibitions and enjoy a unique place. Once through the tunnel, you will be facing the Saône. Go to Quai Joseph Gillet then to Quai Saint-Vincent. You will have the opportunity to explore the SUBS, an artistic hotspot where music, dance and theater are at the heart of the stage.
Finally, take the cycle path on the other side of the Pont de la Feuillée to reach Vieux-Lyon. Park your electric fatbike for a moment and take the time to watch the scene of the Saône flowing peacefully under the Passerelle du Palais de Justice. And your journey ends in front of the statue Le Poids de Soi. You will then dive into the Vieux-Lyon district.
Walk to discover the Saône, between Vieux-Lyon and Île Barbe
An undeniable haven of serenity, Barbe Island is a destination of choice for an electric bike ride. This legendary island located 6 km north of the city of Gones once housed an abbey where you can still glimpse the Romanesque Notre-Dame church. To get to the island, all you have to do is climb the cycle path along the banks of the Saône starting from Saint-Jean Cathedral. To reach Barbe Island, it will take you around 20 minutes.
Don't worry, because the trip is completely secure. Well isolated from the road, the cycle path is passable, even with children. During your getaway, you will be taken to cross footbridges over the Saône. You will come across Fort de Vaise and you will enjoy the colorful spectacle offered by the facades of the typical houses on the quays. Before entering the island, you can stock up on supplies.
You will find various shops on your way, including a renowned bakery. Apart from that, don't miss a visit to the Jean Couty Museum, a painting museum dedicated to Jean Couty's masterpiece. Before ending your journey, repeat the same journey to find yourself in Vieux-Lyon. To make this escape to discover the Saône, you will have to travel a little more than a dozen kilometers.
