Rome to Home (Bournemouth) French elevation questions

[wintonbina]

Having planned & booked our flights and hotels for the 1st 4 days of our cycling challenge of Rome to Home (in 15 days) I now have a slight dilemma of whether to go through Lyon or Clermont-Ferrand from Aix-en-Provence?
Which route has the least climbing? I would prefer the flattest route possible so does anyone have any ideas please?
Kind regards,
Tony

 

[srw]

Lyon is straight up the Rhone valley. Clermont is straight through the Massif Central, France's third biggest mountain range.

That probably answers your question.

Google maps on the "terrain" setting, zoomed out a long way, is your friend on these macro scales.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I drove up the A75 before they'd finished the Millau bridge (which won't take bikes, I imagine) and the roads were hairy and steephilly in a car. As @srw implied, following rivers is probably wisest. I don't know how finished it is, but this google reference uses the cycle route, the ViaRhôna.

 

[wintonbina]

Thank you srw & deptfordmarmoset. Lyon it is then! . Just another 10 days to plan!!!
Tony