The Rétromobile Show in Paris is one of the largest classic vehicle shows in Europe, if not the world. The event focuses not only on vintage cars but on all vehicles of all genres. The location is the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris. Over 130.000 visitors are expected.
When the first Rétromobile show opened its doors in February 1976, few could have imagined that it would become one of the world's finest tributes to automotive history. The location was the Gare de la Bastille. The idea was simple, almost daring: to bring collectors, clubs, manufacturers, and enthusiasts together in one place to celebrate classic cars. At the time, the word 'collection' evoked images of stamps rather than car bodies. And yet, from the very first edition, the magic worked.
The aisles buzzed with passionate conversations as visitors stopped to admire pre-war Bugattis, Delahayes, Hispano-Suizas, and Citroëns. Soon, Rétromobile became a place where cars told stories—stories of pioneers, craftsmen, and visionary engineers.
Porte de Versailles
In 1981, the show moved to the Porte de Versailles, where it finally found a location worthy of its status. There, the event grew decade after decade, parallel to the flourishing collectors' market and the rise of true institutions: brand clubs, coachbuilders, specialist dealers, and exceptional restorers.
The 1990s marked a turning point. Retromobile became an international event and attracted visitors from England, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
Over time, the show has also evolved. The arrival of a new generation of collectors in the 2010s brought a breath of fresh air. Youngtimers, supercars from the eighties and nineties, digital artisan restorers, and online platforms have found their place alongside pre-war models.
Today, Rétromobile is no longer just an exhibition: it is a place of transmission, expertise, and emotion. A space where enthusiasts come together to exchange ideas, dream, and sometimes drive away in a piece of history.
50 years of Rétromobile
2025 marked a historic milestone: Rétromobile celebrated its 50th anniversary. Fifty years full of shared emotions, roaring engines, meticulous restorations, and extraordinary collections. Fifty years full of encounters, daring, and knowledge sharing.
Since 1976, Rétromobile has welcomed entire generations of enthusiasts. Some of today's visitors came here as children, hand in hand with their parents. Others began their collecting careers in the corridors of Rétromobile, fascinated by the elegance of an Alfa Romeo or the lines of a Jaguar E-Type.
Brands
This is not a brand-specific event, so you can come across all kinds of makes and models of classic cars here.
