If you thought this show could not get any better, Rétromobile managed to take things higher. All the traditional strengths are there, and the organisers could still come up with novelties. You get to meet the glorious industrial legacy of France, the best of the world collector elite and high-end traders as well as car manufacturers from around the world, delivering a show second to none.
Last year’s Rétromobile proved to be our favourite car event of 2024, taking things much further than the half-hearted 2022 event. The IAA really has to turn on the afterburners to catch this show.
The 2025 Rétromobile opened its doors this Wednesday and awaits visitors until Sunday afternoon with generous opening hours (with extended hours closing at 22.00 on Wednesday and Friday). The exhibition is located at the usual venue in the Expo Area at Porte de Versailles (1 place de la Porte de Versailles 75015 Paris). Since 2023, Rétromobile has occupied its usual pre-COVID layout, filling the vast space of Palais 1 with two additional halls for thematic exhibitions and the official Auction organised by Artcurial.
The show is a true spectacle playing on its traditional strengths: the three auctions are a spectacle in their own right, and even brands exhibit, with some genuinely extraordinary efforts, with surprise brands, like Matra, Ligier and Cadillac are punching above their weight. Some Museums erect dedicated stages, while others contributed to thematic exhibitions. In the past years, the most fabulous shows were delivered by high-end traders who outbid each other to offer the most spectacular cars. This year, however, thematic shows and manufacturers are catching up.
All three auctions are there. Each of them is worth a car show on its own.
Some call it simply the Paris Auction Week – the grand trio of the auctions of Artcurial, Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s is a spectacle on its own, making use of the fact that they take place during Rétromobile.
Artcurial is the Rétromobile’s exclusive auctioneer, so others may participate with a small stage to advertise their activity, leaving the big show to Artcurial.
In parallel, RM Sotheby’s returned to the carousel hall of the Louvre to showcase its fine (albeit somewhat smaller) selection. The Louvre offers a perfect setting for the Auction, and visitors can combine their visit with the exhibitions and chambers of the Louvre.
Once you finish your café at the Louvre, you can take a comfy stroll to the other side of the Tuileries. To witness Bonhams returning to the Grand Palais, delivering a memorable show for the city dwellers.
Factory stages are back and better than ever.
Factory stages bring an unrivalled flair to classic car shows with grand design, unique masterpieces, and much substance for fans. The two longtime champions of this discipline were Rétromobile and Techno Classica. However, manufacturers picked up the pace slowly after COVID-19, with many reporting absences, and the German show never seemed to recover. By now, Rétromobile recovered fully, boasting a wide variety. Italian, British, German and even Japanese manufacturers ensured their presence or were honoured by contributions from owners, collectors and museums.
This year’s list is quite impressive. DS provided the central theme of the show, but Renault also tried to match that with a premier concept honouring its record breaker, Nervasport.
We found it even more impressive that smaller French brands showed up with compact but visually impressive stages.
The stage of Matra excelled in both design and content, but we also loved how Delage combined its modern hypercar with its classic heritage.
The same goes for Ligier, bringing a selection of race cars.
The VW Group was represented by Skoda and Porsche, and the Czech brand outdid itself with interactive fruit mixer bicycles and contemporary models.
Mercedes also excelled in both design and content. The C111 steals the show, guaranteed, but we also loved the decorative blue neons forming the silhouette of a Gullwing.
This year’s show saw an impressive delegation from Japanese brands. Mazda, Toyota and Mitsubishi came with factory-level stages.
Bentley’s stage is rather discrete, especially next to the trader showcasing an SLS and an AMG One, or when compared to the commemorative stage of BRM or Ligier.
Italy was represented by four brands, and the best show was delivered by exotics. Touring booked a large stage and showcased selected cars from its long and illustrious history. Chimera is a manufacturer reviving the Lancia 037 in a modern form. They are now aiming high, attending several major car shows.
In the smaller hall, Dallara and Maserati parked a few cars, but the Dallara Stradale and the MC20 are quite a spectacle, even without any decoration.
Many brand specialists attended, showcasing their cars and services like HK Engineering.
Collectors and traders stages are still a whopping experience
Rétromobile is the grand arena of the traders, showcasing their best cars. With the help of classic car collectors worldwide, they often surpass factory museums with rarities and exquisite pieces.
This year’s offering did not steal the show as in 2024, but it’s also due to the fact that others upped their game, too. But make no mistakes, the best stages, like the one of Kidston, Fiskens, Girardo, or Joe Macari offer a collection of unmatched rarities.
Many events participate to widen their audience.
The early timing of the event and its five decades of history make Rétromobile an ideal focal point for event organisers and audiences. Aspiring and established events rent space to offer merchandise, widen their audience or put themselves on the map.
Special exhibitions brought together exotic rarities honouring anniversaries and achievements.
Numerous stages and exhibitions honour anniversaries and achievements, some featuring over a dozen vehicles. Two amazing selections honoured the brilliance of French constructor Adolphe Kégresse, with his typical half-track vehicles filling the passerelle to Hall 1 and another stage honouring France’s involvement in Formula 1.
We already covered BRM and Ligier in the manufacturer section. In addition, Hall 1 also hosts a dedicated luxury watch exhibition called “Time on show”.
Museums
A central pillar of the show is delivered by car museums, bringing their artefacts closer to the audience, many of whom would never have thought to pay a visit. This is their chance to make a lasting impression, and quite a few made a brilliant elevator pitch with exciting specimens, live shows and impressive decoration. In fact, their participation in Paris is what led us to Compiegne and Saumur.
The show offers an immense range of activities for all budgets
Rétromobile also stands out among the high-end events with its art exhibitors, in both quality and quantity. In the arts’ valley in the main hall, everyone will find their own need, be it a classic traveller chest, art made of car parts, or car-themed paintings. There are several spots with simulators, including one at the Mercedes booth and a massive one in Hall 2, embedded in an F1 chassis and surrounded by three large screens.
