Paris: Vintage Sidecar Tour with Flexible Routes & Pickup

Summary

See Paris from a vintage sidecar with a local’s stories and secret corners

You’ll ride through Paris in a vintage sidecar—sometimes waving at strangers, sometimes ducking under leafy branches—with a local guide who knows secret corners and stories. Expect moments of laughter (and maybe helmet hair), close-up views of Montmartre or Le Marais, and flexible stops along the way. You’ll end up seeing Paris as both spectacle and home—something I didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the first lurch forward—helmet slightly askew, goggles fogging up from my own nervous breath. Our driver, Antoine, grinned back at us in the mirror before weaving into Paris traffic like it was nothing. There’s something about sitting in a vintage sidecar (I took the sidecar first, my friend clung behind Antoine) that makes you feel both ridiculous and kind of heroic. People waved. A kid pointed and yelled “moto!” I tried to wave back but my glove got caught on the seatbelt buckle. So yeah, we were off to a glamorous start.

The city looks different when you’re this low to the ground—closer to the cobblestones and café smells than you ever get from a bus or even walking. We zipped past the Grands Boulevards, past old theaters and neon signs flickering even in daylight. At one red light near Le Marais, an old man selling chestnuts gave us a thumbs-up and said something I didn’t catch. Antoine started telling us about secret courtyards hidden behind big wooden doors—he actually stopped once so we could peek through one (it smelled like wet stone and jasmine). The main keyword here is Paris sidecar tour, but honestly it felt more like time travel than sightseeing.

We chose the 1.5-hour route but it felt both long and too short at once. There’s an option to go all day or even out to Versailles or Giverny if you want—I can see why people do that now. When we pulled up at Place du Tertre in Montmartre, artists were already sketching tourists; I tried to say “bonjour” with my helmet still on and got laughed at by two painters who probably see this every day. The light on Sacré-Coeur was soft and kind of blueish that afternoon; Antoine said it’s always changing up there.

I still think about that view from Trocadéro—the Eiffel Tower looking less postcard-perfect and more like some giant iron animal waking up for the night shift. If you take the evening tour they hand you champagne right there (we just watched another couple do it). On the way back, my friend took the sidecar seat and I rode behind Antoine; honestly, switching halfway is worth it for both perspectives. We ended somewhere near our hotel, hair wild, cheeks cold, feeling weirdly proud of ourselves for having seen Paris sideways.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vintage sidecar tour of Paris highlights

• Visit Arènes de Lutèce park
• Pass by Saint-Germain-des-Prés church
• Pass by Ile de la Cité island
• Pass by Eiffel Tower
• Pass by Seine river piers
• Pass by Trocadéro gardens
• Pass by Le Marais district
• Pass by Place Vendôme square
• Visit Place du Tertre in Montmartre
• Visit Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
• Pass by Opéra Garnier
• Pass by Grands Boulevards
• Pass by Avenue des Champs-Élysées
• Pass by Arc de Triomphe

Top questions

How many people can ride on each Paris sidecar tour?

The vintage motorcycle sidecar fits 2 passengers: one in the sidecar itself, one behind the driver. You can switch seats halfway if you want.

Is hotel pickup included for all tour options?

Hotel pickup is included for all tours except the 1-hour Classic Tour.

Can I customize my Paris sidecar tour route?

Yes, tours are flexible—you can choose from several durations or request specific sights like Versailles or Giverny when booking.

Are helmets provided during the Paris sidecar ride?

Yes, helmets are provided for all guests; gloves and goggles are also available if needed.

Is this Paris sidecar tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this activity is wheelchair accessible according to their info.

What are some highlights along the route?

You might pass places like Montmartre’s Place du Tertre, Le Marais district, Grands Boulevards, Eiffel Tower views from Trocadéro, and more.

Do I need any special skills or fitness level?

No special skills required—the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Is there public transportation nearby if needed?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to most pickup points in central Paris.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup (except on 1-hour tours), all necessary safety gear like helmets plus gloves or goggles if needed; you’ll be guided by a professional driver who shares stories as you ride through Paris neighborhoods—and if you book an evening tour over 1.5 hours they’ll serve you champagne right by the Eiffel Tower before dropping you off wherever suits best.