Django Adventure — Week 1: Paris to Bordeaux (Scooter Roadtrip)

In this first week of the Django Adventure, two riders—Clémence and Lisa—kick off a 50+ day scooter roadtrip that will take them from Paris to Casablanca on their Peugeot Django scooters. From a symbolic start in the heart of Paris to quiet forest cabins, Loire Valley history, vineyard roads and Bordeaux addresses, this opening chapter sets the rhythm: ride, meet, learn, and keep it light enough to last.

Day 1 — Paris to Sologne: the first kilometers, the first weather

The departure happens in a place made for it: the Peugeot Adventure showroom on Avenue de la Grande Armée in Paris. Partners, media, friends, family, and the Planet Ride team are there—one of those moments where a trip becomes real because people witness it.

At around 11 a.m., Clémence and Lisa roll onto the cobblestones near Place de l’Étoile under a Paris sun and aim south toward Sologne for their first overnight stop. The first hours are about getting comfortable: throttle response, braking distances in traffic, and the simple mental shift from “departure day” to “roadtrip mode.”

For the night, they land somewhere memorable: a canvas cabin in the trees at Les Gîtes Insolites de Sologne. Rain and a few thunderstorms shake the canopy, but it’s a fitting welcome—adventure never asks permission.

Day 2 — Sologne to Tours: Loire backroads and Chambord

With clearer weather, the day turns into a Loire Valley ride on smaller departmental roads—ideal on a scooter when you want flow over speed. The obvious stop is Château de Chambord, an easy landmark to anchor the day: a dose of history, architecture, and a break that resets focus before riding again.

In Tours, they meet the team from April Moto, one of the partners of the adventure. It’s the kind of meeting that matters on a long-format trip: practical advice, a reminder of what “riding safe” really means over weeks, not hours.

And then, another night above ground—this time in the trees of the gardens at Château du Vau. When you’re riding day after day, sleep quality is strategy: choose a place where you can truly unplug and recover.

Day 3 — Tours to Poitiers: green miles, local experts

The third stage leans into the greener roads of Poitou-Charentes. It’s the kind of terrain scooter riders appreciate: rolling countryside, consistent rhythm, frequent villages—plenty of natural “micro-stops” to stretch, drink water, and keep attention sharp.

In Poitiers, they stop by a Django enthusiast and dealer, Guy Ploquin. These local conversations are often the most useful: small tips that don’t appear on maps—what road surface to expect, where traffic gets dense, how locals time their rides.

The night is once again perched in the trees at Parc de la Belle, and they add a visit to Vallée des Singes. It’s a smart pairing: a ride day that ends with something genuinely different, not just another check-in.

Day 4 — Poitiers to Cognac: vineyards and a slower tempo

A roadtrip through Cognac country begs for vineyard roads—open views, softer light, and that particular calm you get when the landscape is cultivated and orderly. The climate feels gentler; the ride becomes less about “reaching” and more about “crossing.”

They settle in at Villa Claude, welcomed in a way that suits this region: sunset atmosphere and a tasting of local wines with their hosts. On long journeys, these evenings matter—they create the emotional fuel that keeps a trip alive when the weather turns or the days stack up.

Day 5 — Cognac to Bordeaux: craft, heritage, and a city landing

On the way to Bordeaux, curiosity pulls them into the world behind the name “Cognac.” They visit Château de Beaulon, a chance to understand the heritage and know-how tied to the region—without losing sight of the road ahead.

Arrival in Bordeaux is rewarded with a calm base right in town: Maison Bord’eaux Hôtel, described as a small haven in the middle of the city’s movement. In a multi-week scooter roadtrip, choosing accommodation where you can park simply, sleep well, and step out on foot is a quiet form of efficiency.

Day 6 — Bordeaux: passing the torch, tasting the city

Bordeaux is also a meaningful stop for Django Adventure: it’s the city of Samuel, one of the riders from the first edition who rode from Paris to Saigon. He shares his experience with Clémence and Lisa—exactly the kind of mentorship that can prevent small mistakes from turning into trip-stoppers.

They also take time to enjoy Bordeaux properly. A stop at Le Taquin brings cocktails, laughter, and a warm welcome. Later, dinner lands in the historic area between Saint-Michel and Sainte-Croix at La Tupina.

Before leaving, they dive back into vineyards thanks to the startup Nabuco, visiting Château de Gravas to better understand what’s behind a “good bottle”—the work in the vines, not just the label.

Planet Ride pro pacing tip (how to last 50+ days)

If you want a roadtrip to stay safe and enjoyable past week one, avoid stacking “long ride + late evening” several days in a row. Build a natural cadence: one day that’s more cultural/urban, followed by a quieter riding day. On scooters especially, fatigue comes less from speed and more from repetition—wind, posture, constant attention in traffic.

Follow the adventure

To keep up with Clémence and Lisa as they head toward the Atlantic and beyond, follow along on Instagram, the Django Adventure website, and Planet Ride on Facebook.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This article is a snapshot of a specific week in 2017—what still holds true is the spirit of the route: backroads, smart stops, and strong local encounters. What should be checked before riding today is everything that can change: accommodation availability, partner addresses, opening hours, and any local traffic or access rules in cities and around major sites.