Private Sidecar Tour of Bordeaux: 90 minutes, six landmarks

Six centuries of Bordeaux architecture, seen from the sidecar instead of the street

A private sidecar tour of Bordeaux lasts 90 minutes and covers six major landmarks—the Cathedral, Grosse Cloche, Pont de Pierre, Porte Cailhau, Place de la Bourse and Quinconces Square—with a driver-guide providing live commentary in English or French. One or two travelers ride in a single sidecar, switching between the basket and the seat behind the driver; groups of three or four get two sidecars with separate guides. The helmet is included and the pace is set by the vehicle, not by walking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sidecar tour of Bordeaux

• Meet driver and guide
• Ride through Quinconces Square
• Visit Place de la Bourse
• See Porte Cailhau
• Cross Pont de Pierre
• View Grosse Cloche
• Explore Bordeaux Cathedral
• Change seats in sidecar

The Experience

Ninety minutes is enough to move through Bordeaux's center without stopping to navigate or wait for a group. You start in the sidecar—one person in the basket, one behind the driver—and can swap positions during the ride so both of you get the view. The driver handles the route while the guide talks through what you're passing: the scale of Quinconces Square, the Renaissance detail on Porte Cailhau, the span of Pont de Pierre. If you're traveling with three or four people, you'll have two sidecars running together, each with its own driver-guide.

The landmarks string together without backtracking. You'll see the Cathedral's Gothic front, the Grosse Cloche's medieval tower, the riverfront geometry of Place de la Bourse, and the stone bridge that has carried traffic across the Garonne since the 18th century. The sidecar keeps you moving between them instead of walking the blocks in between, so the tour holds the landmarks in sequence rather than as separate stops.

The guide speaks English or French depending on your choice at booking. A helmet is provided and fitted before you leave. The pace is steady—you're not racing—and the route stays within the city center, so there's no long highway stretch. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the sidecar is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or during pregnancy.

What’s included

• Private sidecar with driver-guide.
• helmet.
• live commentary in English or French.
• the route covering Quinconces Square, Place de la Bourse, Porte Cailhau, Pont de Pierre, Grosse Cloche and Bordeaux Cathedral.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Retro Tour Bordeaux

Is this one for you?The sidecar moves you between landmarks without walking or navigating, so the 90 minutes stays focused on the buildings and the river instead of the pavement between them. If you want to cover central Bordeaux without the pace of a walking tour or the isolation of a car window, this is the format that trades both.

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Top questions

What is Pont de Pierre and why does it matter in Bordeaux?

Pont de Pierre is the stone bridge crossing the Garonne River, built in the early 1800s and one of the city's defining landmarks. It connects the old town to the left bank and is a stop on the tour route where the sidecar slows so you can see the full span and the river traffic below it.

Can I switch seats during the 90-minute ride?

Yes, you and your travel partner can swap between the basket and the seat behind the driver during the tour, so each of you gets time in both positions and neither person misses the view.

What happens if I'm traveling with three or four people?

Groups of three or four get two private sidecars running together, each with its own driver-guide, so nobody sits out and the commentary stays personalized for your group.

Is the guide's commentary in English?

The guide speaks either English or French—you choose which language when you book. Live commentary is included and covers the landmarks and the neighborhoods you pass through.

What's included in the price?

The private sidecar, the driver-guide, a fitted helmet and live commentary are all included. Food and drinks are not, and gratuities are at your discretion.