This weekend, Paris is alive with the world of classic cars. From Wednesday until the evening of Sunday 1 February, the Rétromobile show is celebrating its 50th edition at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles. It’s a symbolic anniversary for an event that, over the decades, has become the global benchmark for automotive heritage.
With more than 120,000 visitors expected over five days, 550 exhibitors and almost 1,200 vehicles on display in an area of 120,000 m², Rétromobile 2026 confirms its status as a not-to-be-missed event for enthusiasts, collectors, professionals and the simply curious who come to celebrate the history of motoring.
From a meeting place for enthusiasts to a global showcase
Created in 1976 by a handful of enthusiasts, including Patrick Tenderini, Rétromobile originally met a very real need: to bring together collectors, dealers and enthusiasts at a time when spare parts and old vehicles were becoming rare.
Fifty years on, the show has changed radically in scale. Since coming under the aegis of Comexposium in 2000, Rétromobile has become a veritable celebration of motoring heritage. Themed tributes, international club stands, auctions and an opening up to youngtimers have gradually shaped its identity.
An anniversary edition rich in symbols
For its 50th edition, the show has pulled out all the stops. One of the highlights of the week is the joint celebration of 50 years of Rétromobile and 50 years of BMW Art Cars. An exceptional retrospective brings together twenty legendary models, from the BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder in 1975 to the most recent creations, such as the M3 GT2 decorated by Jeff Koons or the M Hybrid V8 by Julie Mehretu.
Other much-anticipated tributes revolve around this flagship exhibition: the DS 19, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, emblematic MG models, and a selection of rare supercars and prototypes that are usually invisible to the general public.
Supercars and exclusive new models
One of the new features of this year’s show is the Ultimate Supercar Garage, which opened in Hall 7 on Thursday and will remain open until Sunday. This dedicated space brings together Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Pagani and Lamborghini in an immersive setting that deliberately contrasts with the more traditional ambience of the show. It’s a well-considered choice that adds a contemporary touch, attracting a younger audience.
Electromobility, present and exciting
While Rétromobile remains above all an ode to the internal combustion engine and vintage mechanics, electrification is becoming an increasingly visible presence in the show’s aisles. A number of retrofit specialists, including Lunaz, Electrogenic and Transition-One, are presenting electric conversions of iconic models. Electrified Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 356 and Range Rover Classic all illustrate this trend, which aims to extend the life of historic vehicles while adapting them to today’s environmental and urban constraints.
More traditionally, the world’s biggest manufacturers are taking advantage of this event to showcase their latest electric creations. This is the case with Peugeot, which is presenting the e-208 GTI, Opel, which is presenting the electric Opel Astra for the first time, and Renault, which is showcasing the near-final version of the Renault 5 turbo 3E.
The show will also be highlighting the pioneers of electric vehicles, with prototypes and production models from the 1990s and 2000s, which have long been kept under wraps. Vehicles such as the Citroën AX Electric, the Peugeot 106 Electric, the Renault Clio Electric and the first-generation Toyota RAV4 EV are reminders that electromobility is nothing new, and that it has a much longer history than that of today’s models.
Hybrid youngtimers will also be on show, with models from Toyota, Honda and Lexus, which marked the beginnings of hybridization for the general public in the 2000s. BMW, a long-standing partner of the event, is also exhibiting a number of recent BMW Art Cars, including electrified and hybrid competition models, such as the BMW M Hybrid V8, entered in endurance racing and a symbol of the link between artistic heritage, motor sport and modern technology.
Far from a radical shift, these initiatives sketch out a form of « retro electromobility », where technological innovation, the preservation of automotive heritage and the ecological transition attempt to coexist. It’s a measured approach, in keeping with the DNA of Rétromobile, which prefers the transmission of history to a sudden break with it.
Last day, last opportunities
On Sunday, the last day of the show, crowds are expected to be at their peak. As regular visitors know, it’s best to arrive early to make the most of the stands and exhibitions before the show closes at 7pm. Tickets are still available online, with prices ranging from €19 to €25 depending on the conditions.
At fifty years old, Rétromobile is proving that it has lost none of its ability to bring people together. Year after year, the Paris show continues to write the living history of the motor car, bringing together automotive memorabilia, exceptional objects and glimpses of the future.
