From Luxembourg to Lyon, France’s La Voie Bleue crushes competition as Europe’s new cycling paradise

Luxembourg–Lyon La Voie Bleue now invites leisure cyclists to trade hurried highways for a gentle, riverside journey through France’s living countryside. Riders follow a 700 km national route from Apach, on the Luxembourg border, to Lyon, joining Northern Europe with the Rhône gateway to the Mediterranean. Many visitors describe the first kilometres along the Moselle as a welcome slowing of time, where church bells and river traffic set the day’s rhythm.

La Voie Bleue – Moselle Saône à Vélo carries the official V50 designation in France’s national cycle network, signalling a strategic, long‑distance itinerary for tourism. The route closely follows the Moselle, the Canal des Vosges and the Saône before reaching the Rhône confluence in Lyon. This continuous waterside line knits together three regions and eight departments, giving travellers an intuitive, easy‑to‑follow path south.

Accessibility sits at the heart of the tourism offer on La Voie Bleue. Around 80 per cent of the itinerary runs on greenways and dedicated, car‑free paths, often on former towpaths. Gradients remain very gentle along the valleys, making this an attractive first long‑distance route for families, new tourers and e‑bike users.

French and regional tourism bodies position V50 as a discovery corridor for culture, food and nature rather than a race track. Riders pass through or near 25 recommended stopovers, including characterful river towns and heritage villages that actively court cycle visitors with bike‑friendly services. Local partners under the national “Accueil Vélo” label advertise secure parking, repair support and flexible stays geared to itinerant cyclists.

The cultural density along La Voie Bleue particularly appeals to travellers who like to mix pedalling with sightseeing. Nancy offers its UNESCO‑listed eighteenth‑century ensemble around Place Stanislas, while Lyon’s historic centre showcases Renaissance streets and covered passageways. Vézelay, with its Romanesque basilica and links to the Santiago de Compostela routes, adds a powerful spiritual and architectural stop.

Wine tourism forms another strong pillar of the experience. The Burgundy and Beaujolais stretches create a balcony over Grand Cru vineyards and village appellations such as Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais and Beaujolais. Many visitors choose half days in the saddle, using the remaining hours for cellar tours, tastings and market visits in riverfront towns.

Nature‑focused travellers find varied landscapes without leaving the water’s edge. The Moselle valley alternates wooded hillsides, historic fortifications and river islands, while the Canal des Vosges slides peacefully through rural plains and forested sections. Further south, the Saône broadens into a tranquil ribbon framed by châteaux, orchards and wetlands that attract birdwatchers and anglers.

For many destinations along V50, La Voie Bleue supports local tourism economies while advancing France’s sustainable travel goals. Regional tourism boards in Grand Est, Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté and Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes promote the route as an alternative to car‑based touring, stressing rail links at key hubs like Metz, Nancy, Chalon‑sur‑Saône and Lyon. The combination of trains, river valleys and greenways allows visitors to create flexible, low‑carbon journeys of varying lengths.

International recognition now amplifies this positioning. La Voie Bleue has received the European Cycle Route of the Year 2026 title at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs fair in Utrecht, an award backed by cycling and hiking experts. Jury comments, relayed by tourism media, emphasised the route’s variety of landscapes, accessible design and celebration of French art de vivre.

La Voie Bleue also plugs into Europe’s wider network, encouraging longer tours and repeat visits. At different points, V50 connects with EuroVelo 5, EuroVelo 6 and EuroVelo 17, opening itineraries towards the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Mediterranean. This mesh of routes helps French and neighbouring destinations jointly market multi‑country cycling holidays.

As more riders discover the 700 km link between Luxembourg and Lyon, moments often remembered loudest are simple ones: a shared picnic on the Saône bank, a chat with a winemaker after closing time, or a quiet sunrise over a canal lock that feels like it belongs only to that morning and that traveller. Tourism stakeholders along La Voie Bleue now look to 2026 and beyond with confidence that this riverside corridor will keep turning everyday journeys into slow, memorable stories on two wheels.France’s La Voie Bleue blows Europe away: 700 km riverside cycling glory from Luxembourg to Lyon

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