A touring cyclist travels along the Voie Bleue, while a boat sails on the Saône. In the background, the village of Rupt-sur-Saône and its castle - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©River tourism and cycling on the Saône|Maxime Naegely

The Blue Way Moselle-Saône by bike

From towpaths to byways, the Voie Bleue is an itinerary designed for touring, offering a host of beautiful landscapes and architectural treasures. The 140km cycle route runs alongside the River Saône in Haute-Saône, offering a breathtaking riverside getaway. The route’s low gradient and safe sections make it ideal for families to enjoy a complete change of scenery.

©Vesoul-Val de Saône logo

A tailor-made itinerary Between the Grand Duchy and Alesia

The Voie Bleue is a custom-built route along the Moselle in the north and the Saône in the south, relayed by the Canal des Vosges between Épinal and Corre. If you cycle the whole route, you’ll climb into the saddle at the border with the Grand Duchy, and descend in the capital of the Gauls. In the meantime, the 700-kilometre signposted cycle route follows the course of the two rivers, happily taking in green lanes, shared paths and little-travelled roads that are ideal for safe two-wheeled cycling.

A cyclist pedals on the Voie Bleue, along the Saône - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©The Blue Way|Un Monde à Vélo

Cyclists on the Voie Bleue, along the Saône - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©The Blue Way|Un Monde à Vélo

Coming from the Vosges, you enter the Haute-Saône département at Pont-du-Bois and leave it to the south of Mantoche before entering the Côte d’Or, after 140km along the canal or river, following the towpath as closely as possible or deviating slightly from it. It’s up to you to plan your stages according to your ability, bearing in mind that the route is not very steep.

The route in Haute-Saône

Accommodation Something for everyone

You’ll also need to juggle accommodation and catering: gîtes, hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, restaurants and shops are all along the route. Some of them have the “Accueil vélo” label, a distinction awarded for a commitment to service for cyclists.

Our "Accueil Vélo" establishments

Focus on A 100% Haute-Saône stage 33km - 2h30

Between Port-sur-Saône and Ray-sur-Saône

The section linking the two towns in the Saône region follows the meandering course of the river Saône along the old towpath. Three quarters of the route is dedicated to cycling, apart from the road section which uses a shared carriageway on low-traffic roads. From Port-sur-Saône, where you pass through an outlying district, you head south along a shared road before joining the river and the towpath. The water flows peacefully, gracefully following the winding course of the Saône, through a lush landscape of meadows and small copses.

On the way, you will come across the EV 6 link, the Courlis trail, coming from Vesoul. Scey-sur-Saône-et-Saint-Albin can be reached without too much effort. This Burgundy-Franche-Comté town of character is famous for its saltwater springs, which were exploited in Gallo-Roman times. On leaving the village, the route returns to the river, which continues as far as the bar-restaurant “Le Barnayout”.

The wild Saône spreads out its indolent course, while the route reserved for boats bends at right angles to enter the Saint-Albin tunnel, cutting through a meander in the river. The cycle route follows the same direction, minus the tunnel… At Rupt-sur-Saône, the route returns to the course of the river.

A cyclist overlooks the exit of the Saint Albin tunnel on the Voie Bleue - Vesoul-Val de Saône, Haute-Saône — ©Exit from the Saint Albin tunnel|Un Monde à Vélo

A cyclist pedals on the Voie Bleue, along the Saône at Port-sur-Saône - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©The Voie Bleue at Port-sur-Saône|Un Monde à Vélo

Cyclist observing a boat sailing on the Saône, at the exit of the Seveux tunnel, on the Voie Bleue - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©Seveux tunnel|Un Monde à Vélo

A couple of cyclists cycle on the Voie Bleue, along the Saône with Rupt-sur-Saône castle in the background - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©The Voie Bleue at Rupt-sur-Saône|Un Monde à Vélo

At Rupt-sur-Saône, the route follows the course of the river. In the distance, the town stands out with its magnificent castle and keep dating from the 12th century. A number of diversions to facilitate navigation have been built along the river, which lazes as far as Soing. The village, accessible by crossing the Saône, is home to an unlikely replica of the Eiffel Tower! A few kilometres separate you from Ray-sur-Saône, which you reach at a small wash-house. On the right is the climb up to the château, and on the left the continuation of the Voie Bleue.

Next stage: Gray

Over the course of The Blue Way

The beach at Autet

A refreshing stop-off along the Voie Bleue in hot weather is very welcome. You’ll find it at Autet beach, between Ray-sur-Saône and Gray. A four-hectare natural site with a camping area, swimming area and restaurant-bar.

The leisure centre

Visit Gray

Pedal, sail, hike or simply stroll, all roads lead to Gray. This town, rich in history, offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes.

Explore Gray

The castles

There are two remarkable châteaux on your route: Ray-sur-Saône and Rupt-sur-Saône. It’s up to you to choose (or not) which one to visit!

Le Château de Ray