Rétromobile invites you to meet the 2024 partner museums(1/2)

For this second meeting, the most beautiful ephemeral garage dedicated to classic cars will be taking you to meet two of its partner museums: the Musée des Blindés de Saumur & the Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale.

The Musée des Blindés in Saumur

With one of the largest collections of armoured vehicles in the world, including models from the First World War to the present day, the Musée des Blindés de Saumur is one of the institutions that preserve the memory of France in combat. With its extensive technical heritage, the museum will be presenting two exceptional armoured vehicles at Rétromobile 2024: a 1945 Centurion GB tank (on stand) and a Chaffee M24 tank (in dynamic demonstration).

The Centurion, an armoured vehicle at Her Majesty's service

Studied during the Second World War, the Centurion heavy tank saw the light of day in the aftermath of the conflict. Considered by many to be the most successful armoured vehicle in history, it won the hearts of armies around the world thanks to its adaptability, both in terms of armament and armour. A feature that has earned it a place in the armoured divisions of countries such as Australia, India and Egypt.

Chaffee M24: American ruggedness

Fast, swift, robust... these are just some of the words that could characterise the Chaffee M24! Produced by the American army between 1943 and 1958, it had its baptism of fire during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Renowned for its soft suspension, but also for its engine, which enabled it to reach a maximum speed of 60 km/h, the Chaffe M24 distinguished itself on many battlefields.

The National Gendarmerie Museum

The Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale is another long-standing Rétromobile partner museum taking part in the 2024 event. Located in Melun in a modern building with a facade reminiscent of a flaming grenade, the museum houses one of the largest collections relating to the history of the Gendarmerie Nationale. At Rétromobile 2024, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the thrilling history of this French military corps through the presence of two landmark vehicles: a Dollar R2 motorbike and a Peugeot 403 Break U5.

Dollars R2: a revolution on two wheels

A little-known French brand among today's generations, Dollars has long been synonymous with modernity and reliability in the world of two-wheelers. In the early 1930s, this reputation prompted the Gendarmerie Nationale to acquire 300 R2 models to replace the horses and bicycles used by the officers of that time. It was used by the various territorial brigades, where its two-seater saddle and top speed of close to 100km/h made it very popular.

Peugeot 403 Break U5: French elegance 

The Peugeot 403 Break U5 is a well-known model among fans of the marque au lion, and was also used by many Gendarmerie Nationale brigades. Popular with the Gendarmerie Départementale companies and the Gendarmerie Mobile squadrons, these vehicles were initially delivered without some of the components required for the job. This was rectified in 1960, when the all-black vehicles were fitted with radios and flashing lights by default.