Scooter Rentals in Bordeaux

Bordeaux rewards anyone willing to move at their own pace, and a scooter is the easiest way to do it. Ride the quays past Place de la Bourse at sunrise, when the Miroir d'eau throws back the golden stone facades, then keep going along the river toward the Cité du Vin, its curved glass tower catching the light on the right bank. Cross the Pont de Pierre for a proper skyline view, or just point the handlebars south and let the afternoon take you wherever the old town leads.

The historic centre is compact and largely flat, which is exactly what makes two wheels so practical here. Bordeaux's core is criss-crossed by tram lines and pedestrian streets that can be fiddly to navigate on foot with a map in hand, and parking a car anywhere near the centre is its own headache. On a scooter you skip both problems, gliding between sights in minutes and parking wherever you like. It also opens up trips well beyond the city limits — the coast at Arcachon and the dune country nearby are within easy reach if you want a full day away from the streets.

Top 10 things to see in Bordeaux by scooter

1. Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'eau — the iconic riverside square and reflecting pool, a five-minute ride from the centre along the quays.
2. Pont de Pierre — Napoleon-era stone bridge over the Garonne with great skyline views and a natural gateway to the right bank.
3. Cité du Vin — a striking modern wine museum on the river's right bank, an easy ride along the Garonne.
4. Jardin Public — Bordeaux's grand 18th-century park, ideal for a shaded loop near the botanical garden.
5. Grosse Cloche — one of the city's medieval belfry gates, a quick stop while cruising through the old town.
6. Basilique Saint-Michel & its flèche — the tallest spire in southern France, set in the lively Saint-Michel quarter with its flea market.
7. Quais de Bordeaux — the long riverside promenade and the best cruising route through the city.
8. Dune du Pilat — Europe's tallest sand dune, about an hour southwest near Arcachon, a favourite day-trip destination.
9. Bassin d'Arcachon — a coastal bay of beaches and oyster villages, reachable on a longer excursion from the city.
10. Place des Quinconces — one of Europe's largest city squares, home to the Monument aux Girondins, right by the tram hub and river.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Bordeaux?

For a 50cc scooter you need an AM licence, which anyone with a full car licence already holds. For a 125cc scooter you'll need an A1 motorcycle licence, or a category B car licence held for at least two years plus a short compulsory training course. Rental agencies usually ask for a minimum age of 18 regardless of licence class, and a security deposit is standard, taken as a card pre-authorisation and released when the scooter comes back undamaged. Visitors from outside the EU should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Bordeaux?

Expect to pay around 5–15 EUR per day in low season, rising to 20–35 EUR per day in high season, with premium models running 35–50 EUR per day.

• Prices climb through July and August, when tourist numbers peak and Arcachon-bound coastal traffic picks up.
• Rates drop from November to February, when demand is lowest.

When to book a rental scooter in Bordeaux?

Book ahead for July and August if you want the best choice of scooters at the lowest of the high-season prices — this is when Bordeaux is busiest and machines go fast. If you can travel outside peak summer, November through February brings the cheapest rates and no need to book far in advance, though May, June and September are the sweet spot: mild weather, fewer crowds, and prices still well below the August peak.

Local traffic rules in Bordeaux

France drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, and gloves are legally required too — France enforces this more strictly than most countries, with fines for riding bare-handed. Dipped headlights must stay on at all times, day and night. In town, the speed limit is 50 km/h once you pass the town-name sign, and the blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most riders, dropping to effectively zero for anyone in their first three years of holding a licence.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!