La Belle Via – the route

La Belle Via, the new name for veloroutes V62/V63, is a cycle route through Savoie and Haute-Savoie to Isère and the Drôme. The start and finish of La Belle Via connect with the ViaRhôna.

With its magnificent views of the Jura, Bauges, Belledonne, Chartreuse and, of course, Mont Blanc, cycling La Belle Via is a wonderful way to enjoy a change of scene.

A medley of lakes, valleys, plains and unimpeded views

La Belle Via – the route

 Start = There are two start points: La Balme-de-Sillingy in Haute-Savoie (temporary start point, soon to be extended to Seyssel) and Chanaz in Savoie

 Length = 195 or 270 km (depending on the start point)

 Time = 3 to 5 days

 Difficulty = easy

 A few highlights in Savoie Mont Blanc = 

Starting from Chanaz

The journey starts near the Chautagne vineyards with a cruise along the Canal de Savières and across Lake Bourget to the Grand Port at Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes. Leave your bike on the boat while you stop off at Hautecombe Abbey to visit the historic final resting place of the Dukes of Savoie.

Once in Aix-les-Bains, you can learn more about Lake Bourget, France’s largest natural lake, at the Aqualis interpretation centre. The route continues past the lake’s numerous beaches to Chambéry, a ‘City of Art and History’ where you can explore the Château of the Dukes of Savoie, visit the Savoie Museum (Musée Savoisien, currently under renovation) and saunter around the old town.

The next stage runs through the Cœur de Savoie vineyards to Les Marches and Lake Saint-André. Montmélian’s Vines and Wines Museum is an ideal place to take a break before continuing along the banks of the Isère River towards Grenoble and Romans.

    1 7
    Starting from La Balme-de-Sillingy

    The route goes through Annecy and then follows the lakeshore with its enticing beaches. A visit to the Paccard Bell Museum in Sevrier provides a fascinating break before continuing along the old railway line to the Sources du Lac d’Annecy and the Bout du Lac nature reserve. From here, you go through Ugine to Albertville, where you can treat yourself to some of Carré Noir’s exquisite chocolates while exploring the mediaeval village of Conflans. Lake Carouge is a great place for a refreshing dip before you get to Montmélian, Porte de Savoie, and head towards Grenoble.

      1 5

      La Belle Via starts and finishes on the ViaRhôna (Eurovélo route 17), so it can be followed as a variant on a longer journey from Geneva to the Mediterranean. 

      The Tour des Bauges provides another variant to La Belle Via in Savoie Mont Blanc.

      Maps

      Accueil Vélo

      Services

      All along La Belle Via, Accueil Vélo-accredited service providers offer accommodation and services tailored to the needs of cycle tourers.

      Tourist offices, accommodations, restaurants, outdoor and cultural activities, site visits, etc. 

       

      See the list of accredited service providers

      WHAT IS A VELOROUTE ?

      Veloroutes are medium- to long-distance, safe, signposted and uninterrupted cycle routes, including through towns and cities.

      They avoid long hills and, as far as possible, follow dedicated cycleways or quiet minor roads.

      La Belle Via is a greenway/veloroute through the départements of Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère and Drôme.