Discover Bordeaux from a Unique Perspective on a Private Sidecar Tour

The Bordeaux Sightseeing Private Sidecar Guided Tour offers an engaging way to see the city’s most iconic sights in a quick, fun, and personalized manner. Priced at $69.66 per person, this 45-minute adventure is perfect for those looking to maximize their time while enjoying a memorable experience. The tour departs from 12 Cr du 30 Juillet in Bordeaux and is suitable for most travelers, including children accompanied by an adult.

What makes this tour stand out is its private setting, guided commentary, and the chance to explore at your own pace with customizable routes. The group discounts and mobile tickets add to the convenience, making this a straightforward yet exciting way to discover Bordeaux’s highlights. While the short duration means it’s ideal for a quick overview, it also allows for stops at notable attractions like Place de la Bourse and Grosse Cloche. The helmet safety gear and live narration ensure a safe and informative ride, with reviews praising both the guides’ knowledge and the fun atmosphere.

Key Points

Private and customizable sidecar tour of Bordeaux’s key sights
45-minute experience featuring top attractions like Place de la Bourse and Saint-Michel
Guided commentary from knowledgeable drivers, many speaking perfect English
Group discounts available for larger parties
Suitable for most travelers, including children with an adult
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

Prefer personalized experiences? Here are other private options we've covered in Bordeaux

Starting at Bordeaux’s Historic Water Mirror, Place de la Bourse

The tour begins at Place de la Bourse, one of Bordeaux’s most recognizable landmarks. This water mirror reflects the city’s stunning architecture and provides a perfect photo opportunity. The guide leads the group around this area, sharing insights into the history and significance of the square. This stop lasts approximately 5 minutes, making it a quick yet impactful introduction to Bordeaux’s elegance.

The water mirror is a favorite for visitors because of its visual appeal, especially when paired with the grand Bordeaux architecture surrounding it. The tour then smoothly transitions to other notable sites, offering a combination of scenic views and engaging stories from the guide.

Exploring Porte Cailhau, Bordeaux’s Oldest Gate

Next, the Porte Cailhau takes center stage. Recognized as Bordeaux’s oldest gate, this historic monument dates back to the 15th century. The guide shares fascinating details about its construction and role in Bordeaux’s medieval defenses. In just 5 minutes here, visitors get a snapshot of Bordeaux’s historic fortifications and a chance to admire its impressive medieval architecture.

This stop emphasizes Bordeaux’s historical significance and provides a picturesque setting for photos. The guide’s commentary enhances understanding of the city’s evolution from medieval times to the present.

Visiting the Basilique Saint-Michel and Its Market

The Basilique Saint-Michel stands as a prominent religious site on the tour. The guide discusses its architectural style and importance in Bordeaux. On certain days, the surrounding market adds lively activity to the scene, giving visitors a taste of local life. This 5-minute stop allows for a quick view of the church’s famous spire and the vibrant market atmosphere when in operation.

The basilica’s striking Gothic architecture and the lively market environment make this stop both visually appealing and culturally engaging. It’s a highlight for those interested in Bordeaux’s religious and local culture.

Passing Through Grosse Cloche, Bordeaux’s Oldest Gate

The Grosse Cloche is another historic gateway, notable for its medieval clock tower and its status as Bordeaux’s oldest bell. The guide explains its origins and significance in Bordeaux’s history during the 5-minute stop. Visitors can admire this well-preserved medieval structure and take photos of its impressive façade.

This site offers insight into Bordeaux’s defensive past and showcases its authentic medieval charm. The guide’s storytelling helps bring these ancient landmarks to life.

Appreciate having local insight? Here are other guided experiences in Bordeaux we've examined

The Tour Includes Safety and Comfort Features

The private tour includes the use of helmets for safety, and the driver/guide provides live commentary throughout the ride. These guides are praised for their knowledge, friendly demeanor, and English fluency, making the experience both informative and entertaining. The motorcycle sidecar adds a retro and fun element, attracting attention and adding a sense of adventure.

Since the tour is private, it offers a more intimate experience, allowing for personalized questions and flexibility. The group size is small, which helps ensure friendly interaction and a more relaxed pace.

Logistics: Meeting Point and End of Tour

The tour begins at 12 Cr du 30 Juillet in central Bordeaux. The activity is designed to be easy to locate and near public transportation, making it accessible for most visitors. After the 45-minute ride, the tour concludes back at the initial meeting point, making it convenient to continue exploring Bordeaux on your own.

Customization and Flexibility of the Itinerary

One of the key advantages of this private tour is its customizable nature. The guide can tailor the route based on your interests, whether you want to focus more on historic landmarks, scenic views, or specific neighborhoods. This flexibility allows for a more personalized experience that aligns with your preferences.

The tour’s short duration means you can easily add this adventure to a larger sightseeing day or combine it with other activities, such as visiting Bordeaux’s vineyards or museums.

Pacing and Duration: Perfect for a Quick Overview

The 45-minute length makes this sidecar tour an excellent option for getting a rapid yet comprehensive glance of Bordeaux. The speed of the sidecar allows the guide to cover multiple sites efficiently, while the stops offer brief snapshots rather than full tours of each location.

Reviews highlight the pacing as lively but controlled, with the guide stopping a few times for photos and sharing engaging stories along the way. The short duration can be a limitation if you want an in-depth exploration, but for a quick overview, it’s ideal.

The Experience of Riding in a Retro Sidecar

The retro motorcycle experience adds a distinctive and exciting element to Bordeaux sightseeing. The vintage style sidecar garners attention and creates wonderful photo opportunities. Riders often enjoy the feeling of adventure and the fun of exploring the city in this unusual way.

Guests note that the guides speak perfect English, ensuring clear communication, and many mention the fun stories and knowledgeable insights shared during the ride. The helmet provision enhances safety, making the experience both secure and enjoyable.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

This tour appeals strongly to adventure seekers, history buffs, or anyone looking for a unique way to see Bordeaux. It’s especially well-suited for those wanting a brief but lively introduction to the city’s highlights. Families with children must be accompanied by an adult, and most travelers can participate given the accessible setup.

The private nature makes it suitable for small groups, couples, or friends seeking a fun, memorable outing. While the short duration might not satisfy those craving detailed historical excursions, it’s perfect for photo ops, light sightseeing, and enjoying Bordeaux’s charming streets.

Booking, Cancellation, and Additional Details

Most bookings are made about 40 days in advance, reflecting the tour’s popularity. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, providing flexibility in planning. The activity ends at the meeting point, simplifying logistics.

Participants should note that food and drinks are not included, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour’s near public transportation access makes it easy to reach from different parts of Bordeaux.

Why Choose This Sidecar Tour Over Other Bordeaux Activities?

Compared to longer or larger group tours, this private sidecar experience emphasizes personalized attention and flexibility. It’s a fast-paced, fun way to grasp Bordeaux’s layout and highlights in a short amount of time. The expert guides and safety gear make it trustworthy, while the retro motorcycle vibe keeps the experience lively and memorable.

For those who want a brief yet engaging introduction to Bordeaux, this tour offers a perfect blend of fun, history, and scenic views in just under an hour.

This private sidecar tour delivers on its promise of offering an up-close, exciting look at Bordeaux’s most famous landmarks. The 45-minute ride is packed with informative commentary and highlights key sights like Place de la Bourse, Porte Cailhau, and Grosse Cloche. The guided stops and customizable route ensure a personalized experience, while the retro motorcycle vibe adds a dash of adventure.

The high praise in reviews points to the guides’ friendliness, knowledge, and ability to make visitors comfortable. The short, lively pace makes it perfect for travelers who want to maximize their time or try something different from typical sightseeing methods.

This tour appeals most to adventure lovers, history enthusiasts, and those wanting a photo-worthy experience. Its convenient location and easy booking add to its appeal, making it a highly recommended activity for those visiting Bordeaux.

Ready to Book?

Bordeaux Sightseeing Private Sidecar Guided Tour

5.0

(57)

96% 5-star

“This is a must-do! Alexandre is extremely personable (anyone can have knowledge but he does a great job explaining in a way that you can really lea…”

— S C, May 2025