I’ve always loved discovering
— and helping others discover — beautiful places during my many motorbike journeys. So when I first tried riding a sidecar about twenty years ago, I immediately felt what a remarkable tool for exploration it could be.
I began taking friends and acquaintances out more and more often, always with the idea of developing something more professional once I retired. But with no entrepreneurial background, I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it — until I came across an advert from Rétro Tour Paris, looking for franchise partners across France.
That’s when I finally found a way to bring my idea to life, supported in all the administrative and technical aspects of the project.
I chose the vineyards and the village of Meursault as my starting point because their appeal is so evident. Anyone with an interest in wine knows this village. And French visitors feel a strong emotional connection to it thanks to the iconic film “La Grande Vadrouille.” The sidecar is the perfect nod to that story, and the reference often sparks conversations during the tours.
There were also practical reasons behind my choice: easy access, simple parking, and immediate proximity to the vines, all set within a stunning and emblematic landscape.
But above all, my choice is deeply personal. I have a special bond with this place where my wife grew up and where I found a new family. American visitors are always amazed when I tell them I had the chance to get married in the majestic building that now serves as Meursault’s town hall.
As for the greatest asset of the sidecar,
it is truly unique — almost timeless. Sitting in the “basket” can awaken faint childhood memories, reminiscent of scenes from beloved comic books.
But that is only part of its charm. Being so close to the roadside, passengers are perfectly positioned to observe the vineyards and their subtle nuances without any barrier. Sensations — especially visual and olfactory — are intensified. Communication is easy too, as passengers sit close to one another.
Being driven also frees your attention completely, allowing you to take beautiful photos or videos, without any windscreen in the way.
Another special feature: as the vehicle carries only two passengers, it creates a certain sense of intimacy — something couples particularly appreciate during an experience shared just between them.
There are, of course, many lovely viewpoints along the way, but the one that makes the biggest impression is the view over Saint-Aubin, from the little road between the hamlets of Blagny and Gamay.
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I’m fortunate to be retired
and able to make a decent living from this. So even though I operate within a commercial structure, I’m not seeking profit or expansion at all costs. I offer a limited number of tours each week and each day to maintain the freshness needed to welcome my passengers as friends — with the kindness and care they deserve (and that my occasional pilots also share).
I keep time between each tour so I’m never at the mercy of the clock.
Visitors are looking for explanations and meaning in what they observe. The only way to provide that is to travel slowly, make frequent stops, and awaken all their senses. E-bikes often go faster than we do! The engine noise at that speed is barely noticeable, and we turn it off whenever possible.
Nothing compares to this immersion at vine height for understanding the complexity and delicacy of the vineyard.
I don’t have dramatic anecdotes to share — only the astonished expressions of visitors from around the world who never expected to experience something so magical.
Our role — mine and that of the pilots I’ve trained — is essential.
We don’t introduce ourselves as drivers, but as full-fledged guides. The sidecar is only a tool, charming and unusual as it is. The heart of the experience lies in the exchange between passengers and guides, who bring to life decades — even centuries — of fascinating history.
These conversations often go far beyond the vineyard, especially during the Burgundian aperitif offered on the 2-hour tour, immersing guests in a warm and trusting atmosphere filled with local traditions — including homemade gougères, prepared by my wife following her grandmother’s recipe.
My goal for Rétro Tour Bourgogne is not rapid expansion but to maintain a balance: sustainable growth, combined with a level of bookings that preserves our spontaneity, authenticity, and the light-hearted spirit our guests appreciate so much.
Ultimately, my hope is to find, train, and pass on this philosophy to other passionate pilots, to whom I could entrust a sidecar for the season. But the rare gem is difficult to find — beyond availability, they must speak at least some English, as half of my guests come from abroad.
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