Urban exploration cycle tour: an original day out and the Voies Lyonnaises

Route specs

• 95% cycle paths
• Distance: 44 kilometres
• Altitude difference: 150+
• Level: easy. The route’s long distance can be shortened by bypassing Vénissieux and Vaulx-en-Velin. If you’re cycling with children, make sure they are able to manage the distance.
• Estimated time to complete the route: 4 hours with breaks
• Departure and arrival: Vénissieux
• Suitable route for “special” bicycles: long-tail and cargo bikes, tandems, bike trailers for children or pets.

Komoot route map version 33 km

Komoot route map version 45 km

Route description

Beginning at the bridge of Guillotière, prepare yourself for a grand tour of the Lyon metropolitan area. This 45-kilometre urban exploration will take you to Vénissieux, near Lyon’s aerodrome, to the shores of the Réservoir du Grand-Large, and all the way to the stars at the Planetarium of Vaulx-en-Velin.

The first part of the route will take you down the left bank of the Rhône to the États-Unis district. You will pass the Musée Urbain Tony Garnier, a museum celebrating this lively district, which originated with the construction of a social housing project initiated in 1917. The route goes right by the giant murals of the Cité Tony Garnier, and then to the long Boulevard des États-Unis via the Voie Lyonnaise 2 (VL2). A little detour will take you up to the district of Les Minguettes in Vénissieux, and then back down towards the park of Parilly. 

Take care when crossing the busy Avenue Charles de Gaulle before entering Parc de Parilly. 

A 178-hectare (440-acre) green space straddling Bron and Vénissieux, Parc de Parilly is a pleasant place for a bike ride, with nearly 18,000 trees of various kinds, including maples, cedars, limes, red oaks, pines, birches, firs, Douglas firs, honey locusts and chestnut trees. The oldest individuals are in their sixth decade.

When you exit Parilly, you will find yourself at the entrance to Lyon 2 University.  

For safety’s sake, at the exit of the park, on Avenue du 8 Mai 1945, it is better to go on the wide pavement than on the road to reach the secure route 200 metres away. 

Continue on towards a historical curiosity, the Fort de Bron, which was built from 1875 to 1877 as a result of France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The fort is open to visitors; consult the website of the Fort de Bron association. You can cycle around the fort along the deep moats and return to the starting point on Avenue Charles de Gaulle. 

When leaving the park around the Fort de Bron, cycle past the École de Santé des Armées and up the Voie Lyonnaise 5 bordering Bron Airport, then turn onto Voie Lyonnaise 10, which will take you all the way to the Réservoir du Grand-Large. 

Cross Nelson-Mandela footbridge, reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and green transport modes, to enter the town of Vaulx-en-Velin. The route will take you by the Planetarium, where visitors learn about and explore the universe. In the immersive room with a giant dome-screen, you can observe the sky and celestial phenomena. 

The canal of Jonage leads you back to Lyon, where you cross the La Doua university campus and then the park, before returning to your starting point.