In a sidecar, unusual rides on the roads of Touraine
They have a firm handshake, an easy smile, elegant clothes, and above all… the appropriate comment. They are the Gentlemen Sider who, at the agreed time and place, welcome you to their gleaming machine. Frédéric is one of them, and for good reason: he is the one who has established in 2019 Retro Tour Loire Castles in Tours, alongside Retro Tours Paris or Retro Tour … Las Vegas!
Offer a vintage Retro Tour
The initiative has been a great success, as it is the kind of unusual activity that people are happy to offer to their loved ones, for a birthday, for Christmas or even for Father’s and Mother’s Day. And many others don’t wait for the gift to come to them: they give it to themselves!
Discovery of Tours, on the banks of the Loire.
One day, Frédéric took with him a traveler who had come to Tours for a congress and who discovered in 2 hours the great must-sees of the capital and the vineyards of Vouvray. The next day, a couple of young lovers came to test the night stroll during 1h30 (with wine tasting at the end!). As for the day after, it’s the tour of the Grand Dukes: a great 7-hour escapade with an American couple, in the direction of Villandry, the castle of Ussé, and even the village of Candes-Saint-Martin.
Rétro Tour also offers departures from Chinon and Amboise. Whatever the formula, the vintage side is emulated. One of the passengers sits behind the driver, the other in the basket of the sidecar. And of course, you can switch positions along the way. A change of scenery guaranteed!
Ural sidecar
The bridge of Langeais
A bucolic break
Retro Tour "Loire Castles" !
The Loire Valley, Unesco World Heritage.
The castle of Ussé, with Rétro Tour.
In a sidecar in the vineyards of Touraine.
A little history on the sidecar
At the end of the 19th century, the Frenchman Jean Bertoux patented his invention: the addition of a third wheel on the side of the bicycle turned it into a tricycle. The concept was later applied to the motorcycle. The commercialization of the bike started in England at the beginning of the 20th century. For those who could not afford a car, the sidecar was a cheaper alternative.
During the Second World War, the different armies involved also used this vehicle, especially for reconnaissance missions. Some scenes from the movie “La grande vadrouille” will surely come to mind!
Other pleasures: rally in 2CV and other vintage vehicles, hot air balloon ride, motorcycle and scooter rental with Ride In Tours…