Mâcon / Thoissey

Leaving Mâcon, you start to feel the pull of southern France as you race straight southwards towards Thoissey. Having made the most of visiting this town’s historical and archaeological sites, La Voie Bleue leads you along the east bank of the Saône. Around here, you pass through natural landscapes marked by wetlands and poplar plantations, home to many species of birds. This stage of the route also offers lovely views on the Mâconnais and Beaujolais hills. Along the way, stop at the restaurant at Port de By or at the outdoor leisure lake at Cormoranche-sur-Saône.

The route

For the time being, between Mâcon and Massieux, there’s no signposting for cyclists (although this should be put in place by the end of 2021), so we recommend you use GPX tracks.

The route follows the towpath (pebbly in parts). Some portions will undergo major renovation works in the course of 2021, along the stretch from Saint-Didier to Chalaronne – Messimy, overseen by the Communauté de Communes Val de Saône Centre.

Please note:

Very narrow stretch passing through southern Fareins, arriving at Beauregard (works to widen the track are in the planning for 2020-2021, overseen by the Communauté de Communes Dombes Saône Vallée).

Take care along the stretch on the D933B road (for c.400m) at the level of the centre of Jassans-Riottier.

Warning: even along those stretches closed to motorized traffic, you may occasionally encounter locals’ and anglers’ cars or service vehicles. There are barriers in place at certain points; the track at these points can be narrow if you have panniers on your bike or a trailer.

SNCF (French national railways network)

TER line Dijon <> Mâcon <> Lyon et Macon <> Bourg-en-Bresse <> Genève

Don't miss

• Mâcon: walking tour "le tracé de la plume", the Hôtel de Senecé (18th c), the apothecary of the Hôtel Dieu, the church of Saint-Pierre, the cathedral of Saint-Vincent, the archaeological site of St-Clement, the Ursuline museum. "La Maison de Bois", the oldest house in Mâcon, built between 1490 and 1510, the Route Lamartine circuit in the footsteps of the poet and the castle park, with its many bridges over the canals and its remarkable trees.
• Grièges: The shop of the cheese dairy (bleu de Bresse).
• Cormoranche-sur-Saône: the leisure centre & 4* campsite labelled "accueil vélo" (2020). Swimming, restaurants, entertainment, camping, accommodation rental.
• Thoissey: Arboretum, Ste-Madeleine church and paintings of Sarrabat, Apothecary's.
• Pont-de-Veyle