Bordeaux sidecar tour: City and vineyard with wine tasting

A sidecar through Bordeaux's oldest streets, then into the vines

A vintage sidecar tour of Bordeaux combines the city's 18th-century monuments with a drive through working vineyards and a wine tasting at a château. Starting from your hotel, you'll see the Place de la Bourse, Porte Cailhau and Grosse Cloche on foot, then ride into the countryside to Médoc or Saint-Emilion, where the driver guides you through the vineyard paths before a tasting at the domain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Place de la Bourse5m
2. Porte Cailhau2m
3. Grosse Cloche5m

Bordeaux city tour and vineyard visit

• Visit Place de la Bourse and water mirror
• See Porte Cailhau gateway
• Pass by 13th century church
• Explore Grosse Cloche and its history
• Travel to vineyard for château visit
• Taste wine at vineyard

The experience

The tour starts at your hotel and moves through Bordeaux's center on foot. You'll stand at the Place de la Bourse, an 18th-century square with a water mirror that reflects the classical façades, then walk to the Porte Cailhau, a 15th-century gateway that once guarded the city. The Grosse Cloche, Bordeaux's oldest door from the 13th century, anchors the final stop in the historic quarter. Your guide explains the city's medieval ties to England and points out the architecture that marks each era.

Then you climb into the sidecar. The ride takes you out of the city into either Médoc or Saint-Emilion, your choice at booking, where the driver steers through the small vineyard paths between the rows and past the châteaux that line the landscape. This is not a distant view of wine country. You're moving through it. Once at the domain, a member of the estate walks you through the property and pours a tasting of their wine. Bottled water is provided throughout.

The sidecar holds one or two passengers beside the driver, so the experience stays intimate. Tours run between four and a half hours and eight hours depending on which vineyard you choose. The shorter option covers Médoc, the longer one reaches Saint-Emilion. Your guide speaks English or French and handles all the driving. You just sit back and take in the route.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• private sidecar tour with a driver and live guide commentary in English or French.
• entry to a château and wine tasting at the domain.

Options for this experience

2 options

Bordeaux and the Médoc, a 4 hour 30 minute tourGuide in English or French · 09:00 and 14:00Itinerary: one-hour visit in Bordeaux, return trip to Margaux, photo stop in the vineyards, one-hour visit and tasting at a castle, pickup is included

Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion, departing at 8 a.m.Guide in English or French · 09:00Duration: 8 hours. Itinerary: 2 h 30 min in Bordeaux, picnic at a castle, one-hour visit and tasting at a castle, walking tour of the medieval village, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

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 pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Retro Tour Bordeaux

Is this one for you?The sidecar seats only one or two passengers, so the tour stays small and personal: ideal if you want Bordeaux's monuments and vineyard without a large group. The choice between Médoc and Saint-Emilion lets you match the tour length to your schedule: pick the shorter run if you have a free afternoon, or the full day if you want to go deeper into wine country.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Grosse Cloche and why does the tour stop there?

The Grosse Cloche is Bordeaux's oldest surviving door, built in the 13th century. The tour stops there so your guide can explain the city's medieval history and point out this landmark that once controlled access to the city center.

Can I choose which vineyard I visit, Médoc or Saint-Emilion?

Yes. You pick either Médoc or Saint-Emilion when you book. Médoc is the shorter option at around four and a half hours. Saint-Emilion is the full-day tour at eight hours.

What happens at the château during the wine tasting?

Once you arrive at the domain, someone from the estate shows you around the property and pours a tasting of their wine. The experience is part of the tour. No separate fee applies.

Does the sidecar ride go through the vineyards or just past them?

The driver takes you through the small paths in the middle of the vineyards, so you're moving between the rows and past the châteaux rather than viewing them from a distance.

Is hotel pickup included, or do I need to get to a meeting point?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The driver collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the tour.