With his retro moped rides in the heart of Pic Saint-Loup, Fabien, aka Bijou, awakens the nostalgia and freedom of our 15 years. Among vineyards, villages, and encounters with winemakers, the Mobythérapie is above all the guaranteed smile at the handlebars.
Where did the original idea to offer vintage moped rides in the area come from?
I am Fabien, but everyone calls me Bijou. Based in Pic Saint-Loup since 2006, I accidentally rediscovered my passion for mopeds in 2019, after a license suspension that put me back on an old 103 MVL. This return to childhood pushed me to buy others, just for pleasure. At the beginning of 2020, my partner was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. I then left my job to take care of her and the children. In March, a friend took me out for a moped ride and suggested the idea: “Why not let others enjoy it too?” That very evening, I created the association.
Since then, the “Mobythérapie ” was born.
What personally attracts you to these retro two-wheelers? Nostalgia, style, freedom?
Being already passionate about motorcycles, the moped brings a nostalgic and rock’n’roll aspect. The freedom of our 15 years, the bucolic rides, especially in a playground like Pic Saint-Loup. Everyone over 40 has a story with a moped!
How are your circuits designed? More to discover landscapes, heritage, or to experience an unusual moment out of time?
The circuits are chosen primarily for safety, with few cars. We mainly use small roads. We are lucky to enjoy beautiful landscapes between vineyards and garrigues, visit wineries, go to restaurants, and have a petanque in a small village like Lauret or Valflaunès, or even go swimming in the lake or river.
Your rides sometimes include stops at wineries. How do these meetings go and why was it important for you to include them in the itinerary?
Being an activity around Pic Saint-Loup, I couldn't do otherwise than offer tastings at the wineries. The winemakers are thrilled: they showcase their wines and, above all, sell a few cartons that I strap on my mopeds. People love meeting the winemakers and visiting their estates. They rarely take the time to stop at the wineries, often choosing the convenience of cooperative wineries or large stores.
Do you have a memorable anecdote experienced with participants during a ride?
The anecdotes... there is no shortage of them! For a bachelorette party, one of the participants had never ridden a moped and was very apprehensive. I explained how to do it, and by the end of the ride, she arrived first with a beaming smile and said to me: “Thank you Bijou, I have butterflies in my stomach!” We laughed so much that we had tears in our eyes! Another memory: a bachelor party where the guys arrived dressed as Mario Kart characters... an unforgettable and very funny moment!
What is the reaction of people when they hop on a moped for the first time?
First time or not, as soon as a person sits on a moped, they smile. I call that the smile of Mobythérapie!
What does the moped offer that is different compared to other means of discovering the area, like biking or driving?
The advantage of the moped over the bike is that you cover more kilometers without getting tired. And compared to the car, it offers a true feeling of freedom while allowing you to fully enjoy the landscapes.
For you, what is the must-see place in the area to discover by moped?
Around Pic Saint-Loup, there are so many things to do depending on the days! For example, the Valflaunès market on Sunday mornings with oysters and a glass of white wine at La Belle Vigne, or at 658 with Francine's oysters, the village festivals in summer, the photo stop at Notre-Dame d’Aleyrac chapel, the picnic at the Cammaous bridge in Vacquières… I really couldn’t choose just one!
Do your rides attract more heritage enthusiasts, wine tourism lovers, or rather curious individuals seeking an unusual experience?
Mostly curious individuals, unusual experiences, the originality of the concept, and the added bonus of wine tasting.
What are your upcoming projects: new circuits, new partnerships with producers, or perhaps original formats?
New formulas and partnerships are planned for 2026. You’ll have to follow me on social networks or on my website for more information.
Finally, a lighter question: if you could invite a personality (living or deceased) to ride with you on the territory, who would you choose and why?
Johan Zarco! A MotoGP rider from our area that I particularly admire. To show him that at 50 km/h you can enjoy just as much as at 300… and if he can come with the best riders in the world, then I would be in paradise!
