In the last episode of the current season, we’re taking you on a journey from the north to the south of the department along the ViaRhôna, an easy cycle track that crosses the Ardèche for 93km on its journey from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean. The journey begins at Tournon-sur-Rhône where we meet David Faure, creator of two unique barges, Slow Food Café and Bed and Bicycle, that are moored side by side just a short walk from the town centre. Open all year, Slow Food Café serves local produce and homemade dishes that are both healthy and full of flavour. And right next door to the cafe, the Bed and Bicycle barge has been beautifully restored to combine cosy comfort with industrial décor in its five spacious cabins. Cyclists can stow their bikes securely overnight in a refurbished container where they can also recharge their e-bikes and carry out any necessary repairs.
Our second stop is a La Voulte-sur-Rhône, a strategic half-way point along the Ardèche section of the ViaRhôna and awarded the ‘Accueil Vélo’ label by the Ardèche Buissonnière tourist office. It’s a lovely place to take a break from the route and visit the village, or to make a detour on two other gentle cycle routes, the Dolce Via and La Payre. But you can’t talk about the Rhône Valley without thinking about vineyards, so then we carry on southwards to Bourg-Saint-Andéol and the Cousignac vineyards where Hervé meets Raphaël Pommier, music-loving winemaker and big fan of his local area.
Crossing Ardèche from north to south on the ViaRhôna is a delightful way to appreciate its diversity and contrasts, to step down a gear and enjoy the journey, and to help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

Get all practical information: https://en.ardeche-guide.com/
The ViaRhôna in Ardèche: https://en.ardeche-guide.com/viarhona-67816
The ViaRhôna: https://en.viarhona.com/
Slow Food Café and Bed and Bicycle barges: https://www.lapeniche.biz
Tournon-sur-Rhône: https://www.ardeche-hermitage.com/en/
Tourism office Ardèche Buissonnière: https://www.ardeche-buissonniere.fr/en/you-ll-be-amazed/
Notre Dame de Cousignac vineyard: https://domainedecousignac.fr/en/home/
Bourg-Saint-Andéol: https://en.gorges-ardeche-pontdarc.fr/
Festival les Cordes en Ballade: https://www.cordesenballade.com/

Podcast proposé par L’Agence de Développement Touristique de l’Ardèche - Comité éditorial : Nathalie Sisteron et Magali Bourdin - Production : Hervé Hauboldt pour Stereolab - Photo de couverture : Matthieu Dupont - Générique : Immersive Music - Musique : Blue Dot Sessions.