Paris Retromobile 2026
Discussion
Just booked a couple of days in Paris for this year's Retromobile.
Not been since before the world went mad in February 2020 and am looking forward to going to such a huge event.
Eurostar was £35 each way for us both, so rude not to go to Paris for a couple of days.
https://www.retromobile.com/en/
Anybody else planning on going?
Not been since before the world went mad in February 2020 and am looking forward to going to such a huge event.
Eurostar was £35 each way for us both, so rude not to go to Paris for a couple of days.
https://www.retromobile.com/en/
Anybody else planning on going?
I think it's the fact it's completely different to British classic car shows, in that you will not have seen ANY of the cars before. If you're a regular to the NEC for example, you'll see the same cars on display again and again.
Also cars you may not even know exist.
Then there's the sheer scale of it, it's massive! So many cars, so much automobilia, book stands, art, models, watches etc.
There was a fascinating stand that offered Mehari conversions on old rusty 2CVs which looked brilliant.
Decent auction with exotic machinery and for sale sections with far more affordable stuff.
Just so much going on there if you love old cars.
It's well worth a visit and also great value: 20 Euros to get in.
Although you have to add in Eurostar and the cost of staying somewhere half decent.
Also cars you may not even know exist.
Then there's the sheer scale of it, it's massive! So many cars, so much automobilia, book stands, art, models, watches etc.
There was a fascinating stand that offered Mehari conversions on old rusty 2CVs which looked brilliant.
Decent auction with exotic machinery and for sale sections with far more affordable stuff.
Just so much going on there if you love old cars.
It's well worth a visit and also great value: 20 Euros to get in.
Although you have to add in Eurostar and the cost of staying somewhere half decent.
vixen1700 said:
My wife fell in love with this, but unfortunately (or fortunately
) it had been sold earlier that day. That's not her in the picture, maybe that's who bought it.
limpsfield said:
I've never been but quite fancy the idea of it now you have flagged it up! Can you tell me a bit more about it from your own experience and what to expect? I had a look at the website and watched soem of the vid but would be interested on what appeals to you.
Thanks
You really need to go ! Thanks
Unbelievably the show has been around for nearly 50 years although it has massively increased in size/popularity over time. The variety of exhibits is mind blowing, all the usual classic exotica but then you turn the corner and bump into a Bugatti train or a small truck such as the Berliet Geant du Desert :
I've probably done half of the shows since the turn of the century and it never fails to impress. Allow all day to do it justice. It gets a bit oppressive in there so a lunch break outside in one of the many local cafes/restaurants is always welcome. Access is simple with a metro/tram/bus to Porte de Versailles/Parc des Expositions.
In the past I've always tried to combine it with a trip to one of the 6 Nations games at the SdF but the show dates are too early for that this year.
moffspeed said:
You really need to go !
Unbelievably the show has been around for nearly 50 years although it has massively increased in size/popularity over time. The variety of exhibits is mind blowing, all the usual classic exotica but then you turn the corner and bump into a Bugatti train or a small truck such as the Berliet Geant du Desert :
I've probably done half of the shows since the turn of the century and it never fails to impress. Allow all day to do it justice. It gets a bit oppressive in there so a lunch break outside in one of the many local cafes/restaurants is always welcome. Access is simple with a metro/tram/bus to Porte de Versailles/Parc des Expositions.
In the past I've always tried to combine it with a trip to one of the 6 Nations games at the SdF but the show dates are too early for that this year.
Mr moffspeed is a great one for sending me off down a rabbit hole Unbelievably the show has been around for nearly 50 years although it has massively increased in size/popularity over time. The variety of exhibits is mind blowing, all the usual classic exotica but then you turn the corner and bump into a Bugatti train or a small truck such as the Berliet Geant du Desert :
I've probably done half of the shows since the turn of the century and it never fails to impress. Allow all day to do it justice. It gets a bit oppressive in there so a lunch break outside in one of the many local cafes/restaurants is always welcome. Access is simple with a metro/tram/bus to Porte de Versailles/Parc des Expositions.
In the past I've always tried to combine it with a trip to one of the 6 Nations games at the SdF but the show dates are too early for that this year.
This one involved an extended search of the history of the Berliet T100, during which I discovered that it was powered by a 29.6-litre Cummins V12 diesel engine*. Experimentally, Berliet tried a gas turbine but deemed it "uneconomical", which begs the question of how much fuel it must have used to be less economical than a 29.6-litre engine...
* Oh, it also had a small Panhard diesel engine to power auxilliary items, like the steering.
Edited by Turbobanana on Thursday 8th January 14:37
The only problem with Retromobile it that, whilst it is cheap to get in, it is very expensive to get out. By definition you will be sorely tempted to buy something - and it will be expensive. So if you are sensible take enough cash to survive the day and leave your credit cards in the hotel safe.
In one of my early trips (maybe 2004?) Alfredo de la Maria had a stand and was working live on one of his fabulous paintings - maybe this one :
So, yes, I came home with a couple of his expensive canvas prints - but luckily the late afternoon Sauvignon-inspired plan to buy an exquisite 1:12 scale scratch-built Maserati 250F was eventually abandoned.
In one of my early trips (maybe 2004?) Alfredo de la Maria had a stand and was working live on one of his fabulous paintings - maybe this one :
So, yes, I came home with a couple of his expensive canvas prints - but luckily the late afternoon Sauvignon-inspired plan to buy an exquisite 1:12 scale scratch-built Maserati 250F was eventually abandoned.
I have to echo the sentiments above, it really is a fabulous show. I've not been for many years now, but used to go regularly.
There was a chap called Neil Engert who used to run a coach trip every year. You'd get picked up on the Friday night, drive through the night and get to the show for 9am. You had all day there and then be picked up outside about 6pm , drive through the night, and be home in the early hours of Sunday.
We used to go to search for spares for my fathers Hotchkiss and chat to other club members. As others have said, you get a wonderful variety of European cars, and there was usually some sort of exotic barn find like a Voison or a Hispano on show.
Food inside used to be ridiculously expensive, but as has been said there is plenty of choice outside the venue.
There was a chap called Neil Engert who used to run a coach trip every year. You'd get picked up on the Friday night, drive through the night and get to the show for 9am. You had all day there and then be picked up outside about 6pm , drive through the night, and be home in the early hours of Sunday.
We used to go to search for spares for my fathers Hotchkiss and chat to other club members. As others have said, you get a wonderful variety of European cars, and there was usually some sort of exotic barn find like a Voison or a Hispano on show.
Food inside used to be ridiculously expensive, but as has been said there is plenty of choice outside the venue.
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