Some encounters feel obvious from the start. Retro Tour is one of them
The concept was born in Paris, from the shared vision of three motorcycle and vintage lifestyle enthusiasts. Their aim was simple: to share their love of Parisian life in a different way. Away from standard routes and overused tourist circuits. Rooted instead in lived-in streets, local stories and everyday rhythms. Authenticity, sharing and conviviality quickly became the foundations of Retro Tour. Expansion followed naturally, shaped by encounters, reaching other cities and regions across France.
For Arthur, the story began in 2022. A long-time vintage motorcycle enthusiast, he discovered Retro Tour almost by chance. What immediately convinced him was the reaction the sidecar created. The looks exchanged. The smiles. The spontaneous conversations with people along the way. Very quickly, the Saint-Malo region felt perfectly suited to this experience.
In 2023, Arthur got in touch with Julien Gast in Paris. Retro Tour Saint-Malo opened the following year, in 2024
What makes the sidecar experience so distinctive starts with the vehicle itself
There is always a moment that surprises passengers most. For many, it is the arrival on the heights of Cancale. The view opens onto the harbour, the bay and, in the distance, Mont Saint-Michel. The landscape unfolds slowly, shaped by the tide and the light.
The philosophy behind Arthur’s routes is deliberately mixed. Landscapes first, constantly changing with the sea. Heritage too, from oyster farming to local history. Sensations, inherent to the sidecar itself. And encounters. The sidecar naturally attracts attention and creates easy connections
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What visitors remember most is this feeling of privileged access
Seeing places they would never have reached without a local guide. Experiencing the road differently. Tasting oysters in Cancale. Discovering Saint-Malo from a new angle. Watching how the scenery shifts with the tides.
Some stories are kept for the ride itself. Others stay private. One encounter, however, stands out. This year, during a tour with American passengers, Arthur stopped near a group on a beach. The sidecar sparked an immediate conversation. They were American too. One of them turned out to be a former university student of Arthur’s passenger. A coincidence made possible by a slower pace, an open vehicle and a shared moment.
As for future projects in Brittany, some plans remain discreet. The idea is simple. To continue. To enrich the tours with new places. To develop new partnerships, especially around tastings and local encounters. Always in the same spirit
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