Rétromobile to celebrate centenary of Le Mans 24 Hours race

The 47th edition of Rétromobile, a leading international consumer event for vintage cars, bringing together more than 600 exhibitors, will kick off the festivities celebrating the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  This unprecedented display dedicated to French craftsman and manufacturers who have shone at Le Mans will be held in Pavilion 1 of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 1 to 5 February 2023.

It will be the opportunity to celebrate an historic partnership between Rétromobile and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. These two legendary figures in the French automotive landscape have worked hand in hand on this 2023 edition, and will devote two special exhibitions to the most famous round-the-clock race in the world, one of which focussing entirely on the French makes that triumphed at Le Mans.

Since its first edition one fine day in May 1923, French drivers and car builders have notched up multiple successes on the Sarthe racetrack. All in all, the French have totalled 14 race wins and many more class victories over 100 years. In the pre-war years, car makes such as Bugatti, Delahaye, Talbot or Delage contributed to making Le Mans a strictly French affair. The post-war period, meanwhile, witnessed the heyday of Matra, and, subsequently, the achievements of Renault and Peugeot, who also took the chequered flag in this famous endurance race.

The 125,000 visitors expected to attend the exhibition will be given the chance to rediscover, among the 1,000 vehicles on show, some of these illustrious racing cars.