Top 5 best scooter rentals in Vitrolles

Vitrolles rewards a rider more than a driver. Point a scooter along the shoreline road at the Étang de Berre and you get open water on one side, planes lifting off from Marseille Provence airport on the other, and nowhere to sit in traffic. Ten minutes later you can be climbing the short, steep switchback to the Rocher de Vitrolles, parking beside the old Notre-Dame chapel and looking down over the whole lagoon toward the Chaîne de l'Estaque. That contrast — flat lakeside cruising, then a sharp little climb to a viewpoint — is exactly what makes this corner of Provence worth exploring on two wheels rather than four.

The town itself is compact but perched on a rock, with the historic village built on the outcrop above the newer streets below, so a scooter suits its layout better than a car does. The real appeal, though, is everything within easy reach around the étang: Marignane across the water, Martigues further round the shore, Aix-en-Provence about 20-25 minutes inland, and Marseille's Vieux-Port some 25-30 minutes south. These are distances too short to justify renting a car and too far, or too dull, to walk. A scooter also means you skip the parking hunt that eats into any car trip to central Aix or Marseille, where four wheels lose most of the time they save you.

Top 10 things to see in Vitrolles by scooter

1. Étang de Berre shoreline (Vitrolles side) — a flat lakeside road with airport-and-water views, about as easy a ride as it gets.
2. Rocher de Vitrolles (Notre-Dame chapel viewpoint) — a short, steep climb above the old village for a panorama over the town, the étang and the Chaîne de l'Estaque.
3. Village historique de Vitrolles — narrow lanes, stone houses and château ruins on the rock, best parked up and explored on foot.
4. Aéroport Marseille Provence — minutes from most rental points, a good short ride to watch planes land beside the lagoon.
5. Étang de Bolmon — a quieter lagoon and nature reserve just south of town, a nice detour off the main étang road.
6. Marignane waterfront — across the water from Vitrolles, a short loop around the lake for a change of scenery and a lunch stop.
7. Aix-en-Provence old town — a classic day trip roughly 20-25 minutes away, with cours Mirabeau and its fountains.
8. Salon-de-Provence — Nostradamus's town and its château, reached through easy Provençal countryside.
9. Marseille Vieux-Port — the big payoff ride, about 25-30 minutes south, taking in the old port, Notre-Dame de la Garde and the corniche.
10. Martigues — the "Provençal Venice" on the western tip of the étang, reached via a scenic loop around the shore.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Vitrolles?

For a 50cc scooter (up to 45 km/h) you need an AM category licence, available from age 14, or simply a full car or motorcycle licence. Step up to a 125cc scooter and you'll need an A1 motorcycle licence, or a category B car licence held for at least two years along with a short mandatory training course. Rental agencies in the area usually set their own minimum age, often 18 or higher, regardless of what the law technically allows. Expect to leave a security deposit, normally pre-authorised on a credit card and released when the scooter comes back undamaged, and bring an International Driving Permit if your home licence isn't from the EU.

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

Rates run from about EUR 5-8 per day in low season up to EUR 12-18 per day in high season, with premium models around EUR 20-25 per day.

• Cheapest: November-February.
• Most expensive: July-August, when demand around the étang and the airport peaks.

When to book a rental scooter in Vitrolles?

High season runs June through August, peaking hard in late July and August when the whole country is on holiday and coastal Provence fills up fast — book ahead if you're arriving then. Low season stretches from November to March, with the best combination of mild weather, light traffic and lower prices landing in May, June and September. If your dates are flexible, aim for one of those shoulder months.

Local traffic rules in Vitrolles

France drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter or moped, and CE-approved gloves are a legal requirement too — unusual outside France, but enforced with fines. Dipped headlights stay on at all times, day and night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in town, dropping as soon as you pass a town-name sign, and 80 km/h on rural two-way roads outside built-up areas. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, tightening to effectively zero for riders still 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!