The Great Cycle Route Festival on the ViaRhôna

The Department and its partners will offer a variety of activities and introductory workshops along this route, which is entirely reserved for cyclists, inline skaters, and pedestrians—making it ideal for family outings. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can ride from stop to stop along the 63-kilometer route from Lapalud to Avignon, passing through Lamotte-du-Rhône, Mondragon, Mornas, Piolenc, Caderousse, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Sorgues, and Île de l’Oiselay. Sorgues, the main stopover village The town of Sorgues will host the event’s main stop in its municipal park (44°00'34.2"N 4°52'01.6"E), featuring a variety of activities and events for all ages. A fenced-in, guarded bike parking area will be available. On the program: a roaming concert, a drawing workshop, an inflatable play area, a digital and interactive “Double Bike Loop” wall, not to mention the educational bike trail, a sports quiz, and a contest organized by Vélo Loisir Provence. On site, seven food trucks and a 300m² tent will be set up to provide refreshments for the public. Cycling professionals will be on hand to offer valuable advice and discuss their services. Activities from Lapalud to Avignon But a festive spirit will reign in every stop along the ViaRhôna route! All the way up north, in Lapalud (Enclos industrial zone, 44°18'13.9"N 4°40'55.8"E), there will be a carnival atmosphere with the BlackPearl carousel, pony rides, and more… Local producers and artisans will also be there. If you’re traveling with your children, stop in Lamotte-du-Rhône (Route de Pont-Saint-Esprit, 44°15'39.3"N 4°39'34.3"E) to try out the 15 giant wooden games available! Or drive to Mondragon (Olivier Martial Sports and Cultural Center, 44°14'18.5"N 4°42'41.9"E), where you’ll also find wooden games as well as a parent-powered carousel (yes, really), accordion music, songs, and a food court. The town of Mornas (Chemin du Paty, 44°11'37.2"N 4°43'31.6"E) will be putting a special focus on accessibility and inclusion with several activities open to everyone, such as adapted tricycles and introductions to wheelchair basketball. You’ll even be able to make your own wooden spinning top thanks to Vélo Toupie! Trail and Ride Expérience will also organize a run-and-bike event featuring gravel or mountain bikes (8, 16, or 24 km). In Piolenc (in the heart of the village at the bike info point, 44°10'44.6"N 4°45'32.0"E), garlic will take center stage on the menu, notably in a burger and pasta recipe. And while your calves will be well-warmed up after pedaling, so will your fingers—an interactive game with light-up buzzers will provide a fun time for the whole family! Tradition takes center stage in the afternoon in Caderousse (community hall, 44°06'00.8"N 4°45'14.7"E) with music and dance performances by the group “Canto Cigalo,” as well as a tech-focused 3D keychain-making workshop! The little ones will have a blast on the 20-meter-long inflatable play area! Then relax in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Tower of Château de l’Hers, 44°03'19.9"N 4°47'27.0"E), where wooden games and lounge chairs await you! Or set off on other cycling routes, guided by Vélo Vaucluse Découverte. Or, leave your bike behind for a few minutes and experience the thrill of the free 60-meter-long zip line installed at an angle along the Rhône River! Finally, in Avignon (Chemin de la Barthelasse, 43°57'19.5"N 4°47'56.7"E), the southern gateway to ViaRhôna in Vaucluse, food trucks will be waiting for participants. They’ll also be able to try out the “Roulons à vélo” game board or take a tour of Barthelasse with Provence Explore. Provence Bike Tour and Provence et Tourisme en e-bike will also be there. And don’t hesitate to take a coffee break at Guibol Café, the traveling bike-powered café, which will be making its way between the City of the Popes and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A Fun Passport Game for Kids Young participants can pick up their fun passport game at one of the department’s nine teepees, set up in each of the stopover towns. In this little booklet, they’ll have to solve riddles and complete challenges related to cycling… Each mission must be stamped to be validated. At each stop, they’ll receive goodies as a reward. It’s an original and fun way to discover ViaRhôna, whether you stop at just one or all of the stops. Event flyer available below: