Bernardet: known for its sidecars, scooters and cars

Bernardet, a historic French brand, is known for its craftsmanship in sidecars and scooters. Founded by brothers René and Roger Bernardet, the brand began producing sidecars in the early 1920s and later expanded into the world of cars and scooters.

The early years: success in sidecars

In 1921, René and Roger designed their first sidecar, followed by two more models in 1922. With the arrival of their brother Robert in 1924, the company grew to become the largest French sidecar manufacturer. Bernardet exported their high-quality sidecars to countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Russia. The success led to the establishment of S.à.r.l. Éts. Bernardet Frères. In 1937 they opened a large factory in Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, but by 1948 sidecar production was coming to an end.

A move to cars

After World War II, the Bernardets ventured into car production. Their first 1946 prototype was a charming convertible with an 800cc FIAT engine that produced 23 hp. Although the design was innovative, production was limited by financial constraints. A notable model was the 1950 "Trois de Front", a car with three front seats and a unique 750cc two-stroke engine.

The scooter years

In 1947, Bernardet entered the booming scooter industry with models fitted with Ydral engines of 123 and, in 1949, a 250cc twin-cylinder designed by Marcel Violet. Although they developed their own 125cc engine in 1951 and 1952, it proved not reliable enough, so they returned to Ydral blocks. One notable innovation was the Servomatic CFM, a scooter with an automatic gearbox, introduced in 1955. In the same year, the company was acquired by Le Poulain, which led to the production of a few new models, such as the Cabri and the Guepar. Unfortunately, scooter production ended in 1956, and in 1959 Bernardet closed its doors for good.

Legacy lives on

In 1993, Bernardet's history was revived thanks to the Association of Cycles and Vehicles Bernardet, founded by two sons of Robert Bernardet. This society produces small-scale classic sidecars, inspired by the original "Avion" model, and makes accessories and emblems for the original scooters. Although the society is not a commercial enterprise, they honour the rich family history.

A timeless brand

Bernardet is more than a historic brand; it is a symbol of French innovation and elegance. From sidecars to scooters and cars, the brand has left an indelible impression on the history of mobility.