Cycle tour between the Rhône and Saône, beginning on Place Bellecour

Route specs

• 98% cycle paths
• Circular route beginning on Place Bellecour, Lyon
• Distance: 18 kilometres
• Altitude difference: 50 metres' ascending elevation (flat)
• Level: easy, but if you’re cycling with children, make sure they are able to manage the distance.
• Estimated time to complete the route: 2 hours with breaks
• Suitable route for “special” bicycles: long-tail and cargo bikes, tandems, bike trailers for children or pets, adaptive tricycles.

Komoot route map

Route description

Beginning at Place Bellecour, set off to discover Lyon’s iconic landmarks as you follow this 18-kilometre circular route, suitable for all ages and levels. 

First, make your way up Rue du Président Édouard Herriot, one of the main streets in the Presqu’île district, leading to Place des Terreaux, a square where you’ll find two magnificent buildings: the City Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts. At the centre stands the striking Bartholdi fountain, which has been recently renovated. 

Continue along the route past the Lyon Opera House, then cross the Rhône over Morand Bridge and follow a short section of the Voie Lyonnaise 1 cycle path until you reach Pont de-Lattre-de-Tassigny. This bridge will take you to the entrance of the pedestrian and cyclist tunnel beneath Croix-Rousse hill. 1700 metres long, it connects the banks of the Rhône with those of the Saône, and is often lit up to create a unique, poetic ambiance. 

When you emerge on the other side, the route leads to the right bank of the Saône and then down to the history-filled, cobbled streets of Vieux-Lyon (Old Lyon), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It will take you past the neighbourhoods of Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean and Saint-Georges, which you can explore on foot. 

Cross Pont Kitchener-Marchand to the left bank of the Saône and then cycle south to Lyon’s Confluence district. This part of the city has been totally redeveloped since 2013, including new housing, offices and large public spaces with views of the river. 

Make your way to the eye-catching Musée des Confluences, standing at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône. This large museum of natural history, anthropology, societies and civilizations was opened in 2014.  

The Raymond Barre pedestrian and cyclist bridge will take you to the left bank of the Rhône. Cycle up the riverbanks along the tree-lined cycle path to the bridge of Guillotière. There, cross the Rhône to return to Place des Terreaux.