France - Via Gebennensis - Geneva Route from Geneve to Le Puy en Velay

Day 1

St Julien en Genevois (460 m) – Genève (379 m) – St Julien en Genevois - 13 km - 3h00 (+ 130 m, - 80 m ) The program starts in Saint Julien en Genevois in France, not far from the fronteer (for baggage issue it does not start in Geneva). After a short transfer in bus (regular line 3€) you will reach the departure of your walk on the edges of the Rhone River in Geneva.

Day 2

St Julien en Genevois – Mont Sion (785 m) - 16 km -4h30 (+450/-200m) This stage follows the edges of Mont Salève, then arrives at la Chartreuse de Pomier and crosses the pass Col du Mont Sion. Beautiful views over the Leman Lake and over the Jura Mounts. Night at Col du Mont Sion. Possible night at the small village of Charly (+ 2 km, + 30 mn).

Day 3

Mont Sion – Frangy (320 m) - 21 km - 5h00 (+350m/-650m) Today you will enjoy a rural area up to the Contamines – Sarzin (borne et bas-relief de St Jacques). You will reach the waterfall Cascade de Barbannaz, before reaching Frangy. Possible night at Chaumont (- 3 km, - 45 mn).

Day 4

Frangy – Pont du Fier (260 m) - 19 km - 4h30 (+260m/-320m) Head southwards in the cultivated area of Desingy, the footpath corsses the highest part of Seyssel (variant possible), crosses lovely villages and goes down towards the Rhone at Pont du Fier. This stages follows the Huguenots. Night at Seyssel (day after : + 3 km, + 45 mn) or at Motz (+ 2 km, + 30 mn).

Day 5

Pont du Fier – Chanaz (230 m) – 18km - 4h30 (+60m/-90m) Peaceful walk ideal to stroll around on the GR65. The GR crosses GR9 at Pont de la Loi. Then yu will reach Chanaz, crossed by the Canal of Savières near the Bourget Lake.

Day 6

Chanaz – Yenne (240 m) - 17 km - 5h00 (+350m/-340m) The itinerary leaves the edges of the Rhone and crosses a vineyard area called Jongieux. A short descent takes you to Yenne (12th century church).

Day 7

Yenne – Saint Genix sur Guiers (223 m) - 24 km - 6h00 (+670m/-690m) The mountainous area starts there. Chartreuse de Pierre Chatel with a balcony path over the Rhone. Then the Mont Tournier (877 m) and gradually you will go down on to the plateau de St Maurice de Rotherens (650 m). You continue the descent up to Truison then to Chapelle de Pigneux over Saint Genix.

Day 8

St Genix sur Guiers – Valencogne (570 m) -19 km - 5h30 (+460m/-120m) Hilly landscape up to Charancieu (393 m), then Valencogne (triptyque of St Jacques in the church). Night at Charancieu or Saint Ondras.

Day 9

Valencogne – Le Grand Lemps (470 m) - 24 km - 6h00 –(+400m/-500m) Here you reach the Bièvre-Valloire area, near the lake of Paladru, then crosses the former Chartreuse de Sylve Bénite (monastic place founded around 1116) that leads to La Ferme de Futeau. You will go down to Le Grand Lemps and you will stay at Virieu or at La Côte St André.

Day 10

Le Grand Lemps – La Côte St André (380 m) – 15km -03h30 (+120m/-190m) You will walk on a low pathway up to La Côte St André birthplace of Hector Berlioz. Dinner not included.

Day 11

La Côte St André – Revel Tourdan (394 m) – 22km- 05h15 (+190m/-150m) The path today is dotted with canals, meadows and ponds up to Faramans, then to Pommier de Beaurepaire, then enjoy the shadow path into Bois Favan then Revel Tourdan. Night at Primarette (+ 3 km, + 45 mn) or at Moissieu sur Dolon (+ 6 km, + 1 h 30 mn), (other option La Chapelle de Surieu with a transfer by your hosts).

Day 12

Revel Tourdan – La Chapelle de Surieu (312 m) - 19 km -5h00 (+190m/-330m) You will follow a way on the hills and chestnuts forests and cross the villages of Moissieu sur Dolon, Bellegarde Poussieu and reach La Chapelle de Surieu, à 1,5 km du GR65.

Day 13

La Chapelle de Surieu – Condrieu (149 m) 22 km - 5h30 (+250m/-330m) After crossing St Romain de Surieu (249 m), le Carrefour du Grand Chêne and the wood Bois de Limone before Assieu. You cross the orchards area of Auberive and Clonas sur Varèze. You will reach the Rhone at Roches de Condrieu or Condrieu a vineyard area.

Day 14

Condrieu – Bourg Argental (530 m) 34 km - 8h00 (+850m/-520m) You will follow the Rhone by the Via Rhona, then leave the valley climbing up to Chapelle du Calvaire. The way winds its way through the apple trees of Bessey, St Appolinard. The last ascent up to Croix de Sainte Blandine (690 m), leads to the descent down to St Julien Molin Molette. You reach Bourg Argental (530 m). St André Church of the 12th century. On the Historical Monument List. This long stage can be split into 2 walking days as follows: Condrieu – Roisey : 21 km, Roisey – Bourg Argental : 20 km

Day 15

Bourg Argental (530 m) – Les Sétoux (1125 m) – 18km – 4h30 (+790m/-370m) You will follow a former railway before going up to the pass Col du Tracol (1062 m. You will then reach the hamlet les Sétoux. Vous pouvez être hébergés à Lhermet (+ 2 km et – 200 m).

Day 16

Les Sétoux (1125 m) – Montfaucon (918 m) – 18km – 5h15 (+340m/-470m) After two challenging stages and an elevation gain of 1000 m (3280 ft) in two days you will now continue softly your walk on the plateau of the Central Massif. You will cross several hamlets and arrive in Montfaucon.

Day 17

Montfaucon – St Jeures (1050 m) – 20km – 4h30 (+250m/-120m) You follow up your walk on the plateau from farm to farm. You will stay in St Jeures, or Tence (- 8 km, - 2 h).

Day 18

St Jeures – St Julien Chapteuil (821 m) – 21 km – 5h30 (+580m/-810m) Here is the highest summit of this walk, Raffy and its 1276 m. You will enjoy beautiful views over the volcanic landscape of a place called Pays du Meygal. After the village of Queyrières and of Monedeyres, the way reaches St Julien Chapteuil and its nice church.

Day 19

St Julien Chapteuil – Le Puy en Velay (640 m) - 20 km - 4 h 30 mn (+250m/-450m) This part of GR65 ends by a stage linking St Germain Laprade to Brives Charensac before entering this impressive city of le Puy en Velay, its historic center and remarkable cathedral, on the Unesco Heritage List. End of the walk in the afternoon. Night not included in le Puy en Velay