Bordeaux: Private Sidecar Tour Grosse Cloche & Place de la Bourse

Private sidecar ride through Bordeaux’s arches and riverside squares

You’ll ride through Bordeaux in a vintage sidecar with a local guide at the handlebars: passing Grosse Cloche’s ancient bell tower, misty reflections at Place de la Bourse, and lively markets tucked beside old churches. Expect laughter, engine rumbles, and honest glimpses of city life you’ll remember long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Place de la Bourse5m
2. Porte Cailhau5m
3. Grosse Cloche5m

Bordeaux sightseeing by private sidecar

• Visit Place de la Bourse and water mirror
• See Porte Cailhau
• View market near the church
• Explore Grosse Cloche gate

The experience

We climbed into this old-school sidecar just off a quiet street in Bordeaux: me in the little “basket” seat, my partner behind our driver, Luc. I could smell coffee from a café nearby and honestly, I was nervous about the helmet (my hair did not survive). Luc grinned and shouted over the engine, “Ready?” The first turn took us straight toward Grosse Cloche. It’s bigger than I expected: bells echoing somewhere above, pigeons scattering as we rolled by. You don’t get that kind of view from inside a bus.

We zigzagged through narrow lanes, Luc pointing out details you’d miss walking: old carvings on Porte Cailhau, a bakery where he says his grandmother still buys bread. At Place de la Bourse, the water mirror was half-covered in mist. Kids were running barefoot across it, splashing each other. I tried to snap a photo but mostly just laughed at how ridiculous we looked with our goggles on. There’s this moment when you catch your own reflection in shop windows, sidecars aren’t exactly subtle, and it made me feel like part of the city’s weird rhythm for an afternoon.

Sometimes we’d slow down for markets near a church: smells of cheese and fruit mixing with exhaust. Luc let us swap seats halfway through so both of us got to try the “basket” (honestly more fun than it looks). He told stories about Bordeaux’s gates and how locals argue over which one is oldest. I still think about that view along the river, sun flickering off wet stones while people waved as we passed by, so yeah, if you want something different from just another walking tour…

What’s included

• Your day comes with a private driver-guide who handles all navigation and shares stories along the way.
• helmets are provided for safety.
• enjoy live commentary as you pass key sights like Grosse Cloche and Place de la Bourse, with time to swap seats mid-ride if you want to try both spots in the sidecar.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Retro Tour Bordeaux

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

How many people fit in one sidecar on this Bordeaux tour?

Each sidecar fits two guests plus one driver/guide. Groups of three or four get two sidecars.

Which landmarks do you see on the private sidecar tour?

The route includes Grosse Cloche, Porte Cailhau, Place de la Bourse, and sometimes local markets near churches.

Is this Bordeaux sidecar tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Are helmets provided during the ride?

Yes, helmets are included for all passengers.

Is this private Bordeaux sightseeing tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Can pregnant travelers join this tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Does the private sidecar tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned. Public transport options are available nearby.

Is live commentary included during the ride?

Yes, your driver/guide provides live commentary throughout the tour.