FR - Discovered during a photo shoot with the Photochouet club in Uzès, the Pat'roule de France is Patricia and Christian's adventure with a touch of the past.
The beginning of the adventure
Originally from the Paris region and the Vosges, the couple, a delightful geographical mix, reinvented themselves in the Gard, won over by the unique character of the Uzège and its heritage and natural treasures.
Settled in La Capelle-et-Masmolène since 2020, a village they fell in love with, Patricia and Christian enjoy the friendliness of village life after the anonymity of big cities. They particularly appreciate the feeling of living in history, between the castle of the bishops of Uzès, the medieval streets where it is pleasant to stroll, and the lake, a Natura 2000 area and protected nature reserve, which offers ‘incredible light that changes every hour of the day’.
La Pat'roule, a story of sharing
‘For us, La Pat'roule de France was born out of a desire to share our passion for this magnificent region and our wish to help as many people as possible discover it with the gentle mobility solution that is the Solex. However, La Pat'roule remains a complementary activity,’ explain Patricia and Christian.
'Professionally speaking, we keep one foot in our respective jobs (administrative and financial manager and sales manager), which gives us a certain rigour in the administration of the Pat'roule and allows us to refine our routes and share our passion without rushing things, while focusing on enjoyment and meeting people. So we don't hesitate to swap our screens and client files for handlebars and electric motors!"
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Ride an electric Solex for authentic vintage charm (La Pat'roule de France)
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Pat'roule, a blue, white and red fleet
Pat'roule, whose name is a nod to Patricia and the Patrouille de France flying aerobatic team, is a brand new fleet of Solex mopeds in the colours of the French flag, customised as electric two-wheelers. This was a conscious decision by the couple in response to the international craze for eco-responsibility, proving to be ‘the best way to patrol the Uzège without missing a thing’.
100% electric Solex mopeds
‘Our project didn't happen overnight! It took us six months of hard work and patience to convert the Solex mopeds from combustion engines to 100% electric, approved versions,’ Patricia and Christian continue.
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A little bit of history: A French brand founded in the early 20th century by French engineer Maurice Goudard and inventor Marcel Mennesson, the Solex quickly became a symbol of French success in the two-wheel market and an undeniable popular hit. From patent to patent, the Solex evolved. Highly economical, its saddle, brake levers and engine quickly made it very recognisable. From SOFAC (Société industrielle de fabrication pour l'automobile et le cycle) to Renault (1974) and Motobécane, the VéloSoleX ended its career in 1988... In 2006, Cible introduced the e-Solex, soon followed in 2011 by the electric-assisted version with large wheels... (Wikipedia)
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'It wasn't just a matter of changing an engine, but of following a meticulous process. First, we had to find rare gems, vintage Solexes with sound frames. Then we had to completely recondition them: refurbishing the cycle parts to ensure comfort and safety. Finally, we had to convert them to electric power: installing the conversion kit (the retrofit) to give these icons a second, silent and eco-friendly life.'
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No effort, no noise, no pollution but... 100% pleasure (Pat'roule de France)
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Partners, pioneers in retrofitting
'For this crucial step from combustion engine to electric version, we chose to place our trust in a recognised expert in the field, the company NOIL.
Based in the Paris region, NOIL is the French pioneer in retrofitting vintage two-wheelers. For us, collaborating with them was an obvious choice because they share our vision: preserving French heritage while adapting it to the environmental challenges of tomorrow. Thanks to their expertise, our Solex bikes retain their legendary look while benefiting from reliable, approved technology.'
Combining a 100% retro look with ecological dynamism, each Solex has a name that evokes the 1950s, the heyday of the Solex: Honorine, Colette, Marguerite and Lucette are joined by Prosper, César and Marcelin.
In total, there are 12 dashing Solex bikes eagerly awaiting to take you on a ride.
So, what better way to discover the ducal city, the Pont du Gard and the Uzège region in general than by riding these two wheels? With family, friends, as a couple or in a group, you're sure to visit the region's iconic sites while enjoying a completely different perspective. It's hard not to fall in love with this mode of transport, which is as old-fashioned as it is charming!
‘At 25 km/h, you finally have time to smell the thyme, hear the cicadas (which our electric motors don't drown out!) and stop to chat with the winegrowers, arborists, olive growers, etc. you meet along the way,’ add Patricia and Christian. 'Our favourite moment? When the village elders stop to tell us their own memories of their youth on Solex mopeds. That's the magic of retrofitting: you keep the emotion, without the smoke!'
Fancy giving it a go?
Would you like to try it out? Here's everything you need to know to join the Pat'roule de France:
Age and licence: The adventure is open to anyone aged 18 or over (with an AM/BSR licence) or anyone with a valid driving licence.
Equipment included: To ensure you can ride with peace of mind, we provide everything you need: helmet, approved gloves and anti-theft device. Just turn up with your hands in your pockets!
Availability: Pat’roule de France runs at full speed from spring to autumn. In winter, Solex bikes are available on request so you can enjoy the beautiful sunny days of the Uzège region.
Booking your ride: It couldn't be easier! Contact Pat'roule de France directly to book your ride by emailing at team@lapatrouledefrance.com or by calling 06 15 14 90 54.
Many thanks to Patricia and Christian for their collaboration with UzEssentiel.com.
The address: Pat’roule, La Capelle-et-Masmolène. Contact: tel: 06 15 14 90 54 or team@lapatrouledefrance.com. Find Pat’roule de France on Instagram.