A bicycle relay in Aix les bains, Savoie
Aix les Bains Riviera des Alpes in Savoie is in its DNA an area of well-being that takes care to preserve its precious natural environment.
Choosing soft mobility is one of the keys to making the most of our beautiful world, while helping to protect it by respecting it. Whether you’re bringing your own bike or organising a hire, Savoie has something for everyone!
You’ll discover that our region offers a wealth of short, easy outings to beaches and lookouts near Aix les Bains. You can also plan longer outings, thanks for example to the boat-bike shuttle service that crosses Lac du Bourget. And for the more experienced, there’s no shortage of sporting outings either, on the road or in the countryside.
Whether you’re a cyclist or a mountain biker, whether you’re mechanically or electrically assisted, there’s a route to suit everyone! You can set off on your own or organise the services of a cycling guide, just as you would with a ski instructor in winter.
The town of Aix les Bains has developed 26km of cycle lanes and 13km of cycle paths for comfortable cycling in the town, linking the lakeside with the beaches and parks.
The greenways along Lac du Bourget and the River Leysse, between Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry and Le Bourget-du-Lac, are a specially developed and reserved route. This means you can link the two Savoyard towns in complete safety, with very little change in altitude, travelling almost all the way along the water, and for the most part in the shade of the trees. This cycle path continues beyond Chambéry through the countryside to Lac Saint André.
The tour of Lac du Bourget is very popular. The routes in Savoie are full of variations with different levels of gradient. Along the way, there are many remarkable places to visit: beaches, lakeshores with protected natural areas, lookouts on the departmental roads, etc. Thanks to the electric-assist bikes, this magnificent circuit is accessible to all levels of cyclist.
The recently renovated Chat cycle tunnel allows you to cross the Mont du Chat in complete safety without having to climb the mountain and its winding road, avoiding the pass at an altitude of 638 metres. Once you’ve passed through the Chat tunnel, you’re off on a superb journey through the vineyards, with views over the valley and the Rhône, which will take you as far north as the magnificent little village of Chanaz. You will then follow the peaceful Savières canal to reach the sublime historic abbey of Hautecombe. Another possible route from the tunnel exit is southwards around the peaceful and charming Lac d’Aiguebelette.
The bike boat is a shuttle that crosses Lac du Bourget from the Grand Port in Aix les Bains to Hautecombe Abbey and the villages of Conjux and Chanaz, for a bucolic ride along the Savières canal. It’s also an easy way to link Chanaz to the ViaRhôna, which runs from Seyssel to Belley.
Do you prefer the mountains? No matter!
Le Revard surplombe Aix les Bains et n’attend plus que vous. Once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll be on one of the most beautiful plateaux in the Nordic region in winter. You have the choice of pushing a Sud to get back down to Chambéry via La Féclaz. Or head north towards the Bauges.
Other loops, other places: the Col de Leschaux, the Signal du Mont du Chat and the Col de La Chambotte are three not-to-be-missed objectives in the region for the sublime panoramas they offer of the surrounding lakes and mountains.
For the more sporty, head south to Granier or north to Collombier for a day’s outing.
Savoie’s environment and territory are sure to surprise you if you set off to explore the Parc Naturel des Bauges, with its unspoilt nature, forests and waterfalls, traditional countryside, gourmet stops and religious sites. Push on to Annecy and you’re back after a great getaway.
If you want to get off the roads and cycle paths, choose mountain biking! The Mont Revard destination is either very accessible on the plateau or more sporty, depending on the route chosen. Excursions can be organised with or without a guide.
If you are bringing your own bike, our hotel is equipped for you to park it safely in a box in our private garage car park.
If you’re travelling light and not looking for a sports bike, the Vélodéa agency, opposite the station and therefore close to the hotel, offers mechanical and electric bikes for hire for adults and children. It’s better to book in advance!
There are also a large number of bike hire companies in and around Aix les Bains. And professional two-wheelers also offer a full range of maintenance and repair services.
Copyright Photos : Gilles Lansard – Aix Riviera
