Paris looks different from the saddle of a Solex. This vintage French motorbike-bicycle lets you cover major sights without the strain of a standard bike, while keeping you close to the streets, arcades, and riverbanks. The retro design adds a playful touch to a route through the Right Bank.

I like the small group of no more than 10 and the chance to ride recycled, retrofitted electric bikes rather than sit in a van. I also like the route’s mix of grand places and everyday city views, from Père Lachaise and Les Halles to the Seine. The main consideration is traffic: even with dedicated bike lanes, cycling in central Paris requires attention, and the experience is not suitable for anyone under 18.

Key points to know before you book

• You ride a genuine vintage-style French Solex: The electric motor takes care of the hard work, giving you the look and feel of an old French ride with less physical effort.
• The route begins near Père Lachaise: Meet at 18 Rue Soleillet in the 20th arrondissement, a few meters from the cemetery entrance.
• You see both famous squares and street-level Paris: The route links République, Bourse de Commerce, Les Halles, Concorde, and the Seine.
• The Seine ride is a highlight: You get time along the riverbanks, with open views and a welcome change from city traffic.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That keeps the tour more personal than a large cycling procession.
• The $90 price pays for guidance and equipment: It is easier to justify if you want a distinctive way to see central Paris rather than a simple bike rental.

Why a Solex changes the way you see Paris

A Solex is part bicycle, part small motorbike, and unmistakably French in appearance. Here, the original style has been adapted with electric power and recycled parts. You still get the nostalgic shape and gentle two-wheel ride, but you do not need to work hard to keep moving.

That matters in Paris. The central districts can cover a lot of ground, and a walking tour that links Père Lachaise, the Right Bank, Concorde, and the Seine would take much longer. In a car, you would miss the street-level feel. The Solex sits between the two: quicker than walking, more open than a vehicle, and less demanding than a regular bicycle.

The route is conducted in English or French. You ride with a guide who gives context at the stops, rather than simply pointing out buildings as you pass. The supplied tour details do not name individual guides, so you should choose your language when booking and confirm the exact departure time.

There is also a social side to the ride. With a maximum of 10 participants, you are not lost in a large group, but this is still a shared activity. You should expect to ride with people you do not know and keep a steady pace as a group.

Starting near Père Lachaise Cemetery

The meeting point is at 18 Rue Soleillet, 75020 Paris, only a few meters from Père Lachaise Cemetery. Your guide arrives 15 minutes before departure, so plan to be there early enough to handle introductions, equipment, and any basic riding guidance without rushing.

The start in the 20th arrondissement gives the tour a different opening from the usual central Paris meeting points. Père Lachaise is one of the city’s best-known cemeteries, with tree-lined paths, ornate tombs, and the burial places of major cultural figures. The tour includes a 10-minute guided stop there.

That pause is brief. You are not getting a full cemetery visit, and the Solex tour is not designed as a dedicated Père Lachaise walk. Still, the stop helps set the tone. You begin in a quieter, older part of Paris before riding toward the large public spaces and commercial streets of the Right Bank.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You receive a helmet and gloves, but the supplied information does not mention special clothing for rain or cold, so check the forecast before you leave. You will be riding for two hours or more, not simply sitting at a series of monuments.

République and the ride toward central Paris

Place de la République is the next named stop, with about 10 minutes of guided explanation. The square is a major meeting place in modern Paris, and its wide open design makes it easy to understand as a civic gathering point.

This is also where the character of the route begins to shift. From the quieter eastern starting area, you move into central Paris and its grand public spaces. The tour description emphasizes the Right Bank, and République gives you a useful reference point before the route continues toward the old commercial heart of the city.

A guided stop here is more valuable than a quick pass-by. Large Parisian squares can blur together when you see them from a bus or only stop for a photograph. A short explanation helps you notice how the space functions today and why it matters to the city.

You should still keep your expectations realistic. Ten minutes is enough for orientation and a few photographs, not a full lecture. The main pleasure is the combination of movement and short pauses, which keeps the experience active.

Bourse de Commerce and Les Halles

The route continues to the Bourse de Commerce, where you receive another 10-minute guided stop. This is an important central Paris landmark, linked to commerce and the city’s long relationship with trade.

The next stop is Les Halles de Paris, also with about 10 minutes of guidance. Les Halles has long been associated with food, shopping, and the daily business of Paris. It gives the tour a more ordinary urban counterpoint to the formal beauty of places such as Vendôme and Concorde.

I like this part of the route because it shows that Paris is not only grand facades and postcard views. The commercial center has its own energy, and the Solex lets you pass through it at street level. You can see the transition from historic arcades and shops to modern retail areas in a way that feels more immediate than a sightseeing coach.

The tradeoff is that these short stops may feel quick if you want to enter buildings or explore on foot. The tour is built around riding, not extended visits. If Bourse de Commerce or Les Halles is a top priority for you, treat this as an introduction and return later on your own.

Rue de Rivoli and the polished Right Bank

Rue de Rivoli is one of the central streets named in the experience description. Its arcades, shops, and long run through the Right Bank make it a natural section for a tour focused on Parisian style.

This is the part of Paris associated with broad avenues, elegant façades, luxury shopping, and major landmarks. The Solex suits the setting in an amusing way. You are moving through an area famous for polish and ceremony on a machine with a distinctly old-fashioned silhouette.

The electric motor is especially useful here. You can keep moving with less effort, leaving you more attention for the streets around you. The tour information says the route uses dedicated bike lanes where available, but you should still stay alert and follow the guide’s instructions. Paris cycling can demand concentration, particularly near intersections and busy crossings.

The experience is not a freewheeling ride. You are part of a group, and the guide controls the route and pace. That is a benefit if you are unsure about navigating Paris by bike, though independent cyclists may prefer setting their own direction.

Place Vendôme and Parisian elegance

Place Vendôme is highlighted as a symbol of luxury and elegance, and it fits the tour’s focus on the refined Right Bank. The square’s orderly design and reputation for high-end jewelry give it a very different feel from République or Les Halles.

You may find this stop most appealing if you enjoy architecture, fashion, and the visual side of Paris. It is a place where the city’s image of refinement becomes especially clear. A guide can help connect the square’s appearance with the wider character of the surrounding district.

The supplied stop list does not assign a separate duration to Place Vendôme, so do not assume you will have a long independent visit there. It is one of several highlights linked during the ride. The value comes from seeing it as part of a larger sequence, not from treating the tour as a collection of long monument stops.

Place de la Concorde and the open city view

The tour reaches Place de la Concorde, another 10-minute guided stop. This enormous square is one of Paris’s major crossroads, and its scale gives you a sense of how the city’s grand routes connect.

After the tighter streets around shops and arcades, Concorde feels open. It is a good place for photographs and for understanding the relationship between the Right Bank, the river, and the city’s ceremonial avenues.

A 10-minute pause is again enough for an introduction, but not a full historical visit. You will not have time to wander at length, and the group will need to stay together. If you want an in-depth account of every monument around the square, pair this tour with a separate walking visit.

Still, the stop works well in the rhythm of the experience. You have been moving through commercial and elegant districts, and Concorde provides a broad, memorable stage before the ride reaches the river.

Riding beside the Seine

The Seine section is the tour’s longest listed stop, with about 15 minutes of guided time. The experience specifically promises a ride along the riverbanks, not merely a distant glimpse of the water from a city street.

This is where the electric Solex feels most rewarding. You can enjoy the river views while remaining in motion, and the open setting offers a break from the tighter streets of the Right Bank. Paris is at its most recognizable beside the Seine, but seeing it from a two-wheel vehicle gives the view a more personal scale.

The ride is also a useful reason to choose this tour over a standard landmark walk. You are not only collecting names and photographs. You are connecting the districts physically, watching the city change as you move from one area to another.

The riverbanks should not be treated as a guarantee of a long, leisurely ride. The listed guided time is 15 minutes, and conditions on city streets can affect the pace. Even so, it is one of the clearest strengths of the route.

What the $90 price really covers

The cost is $90 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see Paris, but you are paying for more than access to a bicycle. The price includes a two-hour guided tour, an electric Solex, helmet, gloves, and a guide in English or French.

The small group also matters. A cap of 10 people gives the guide a better chance to keep the group together and offer useful commentary. It is a different product from renting a bicycle and following a map.

I think the value is strongest for a first visit, a return visit when you want something unusual, or a short Paris stay when you want to cover several districts efficiently. The tour also received three five-star ratings, with especially strong praise for the effortless speed, the unusual electric Solex format, and the guide’s explanations.

You should think twice if you want long visits inside museums, extended time at each square, or a completely private ride. This is a shared outdoor tour, and the route gives you short guided stops rather than deep exploration of each site.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This experience suits adults who like city sightseeing with a little motion and personality. You do not need the stamina required for a standard bicycle tour, since the electric motor handles much of the effort. You still need to feel comfortable on two wheels and stay attentive in an urban setting.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples looking for an unusual Paris activity
• Friends who want a shared ride with a small group
• First-time visitors who want several central landmarks in one outing
• Repeat visitors who have already walked the major sights
• People interested in French design, city streets, and vintage vehicles

It is not suitable for children under 18 or people over 95, according to the stated restrictions. The tour is also a poor match if you dislike cycling, feel uneasy around city traffic, or need a fully indoor activity.

The tone appears light and enjoyable, but the route still requires basic awareness. Comfortable clothing, sensible shoes, a helmet, and gloves are provided or recommended as stated. Check the weather before booking because the experience takes place outdoors.

Booking flexibility and timing

The advertised duration is two to three hours, while the included guided tour is described as two hours. I would allow at least three hours in your day once you include arriving 15 minutes early and returning to the meeting point.

The tour begins and ends at 18 Rue Soleillet. That makes planning straightforward, especially if you want to visit Père Lachaise before or after the ride. Check availability for the exact starting time rather than assuming a fixed departure.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Paris schedule is still changing. These policies are useful, but the central decision is still whether you want a moving tour with short stops rather than a long visit at one attraction.

My call on the electric Solex tour

I would book this if you want to see Paris from a fresh angle and enjoy the idea of riding a quirky, retro-styled electric bike through major districts. The mix of Père Lachaise, République, Les Halles, Concorde, and the Seine gives you a broad view of the city in one outing.

I would skip it if your priority is a detailed cemetery tour, museum admission, or quiet time at each monument. At $90, the experience earns its price through the equipment, guide, small group, and unusual route, not through long stop times.

For many adults, that is the point. You get enough guidance to understand what you are seeing, enough riding to make the day feel active, and enough Paris scenery to justify the two-wheel format. Choose English or French, arrive early at Rue Soleillet, wear comfortable clothes, and expect an entertaining ride rather than a conventional sightseeing circuit.

FAQ

Where does the Solex tour start?

The tour starts at 18 Rue Soleillet, 75020 Paris, a few meters from Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Rue Soleillet.

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes about two to three hours, with the included guided ride described as two hours. Check availability for the starting times.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide conducts the experience in English or French.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Is the electric Solex included in the price?

Yes. The price includes the Solex electric bike, a helmet, gloves, the guide, and the guided tour.

What sights does the tour visit?

The route includes Père Lachaise Cemetery, Place de la République, Bourse de Commerce, Les Halles de Paris, Place de la Concorde, and the Seine River.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.