On 19 and 20 September 2026, the whole of France will be opening its doors for the European Heritage Days. Rétromobile and the FFVE are taking this opportunity to explore a heritage that is still on the move: motoring museums, private collections and enthusiast clubs. Here is our selection, from all corners of the country.
Published on Sep 20,2024 at 3:52 PM | Updated on Sep 14,2026 at 12:46 PM
journée du patrimoine 2026

European Heritage Days & classic vehicles: a heritage that moves, is restored and lives on through stories

European Heritage Days are not only about stone buildings. Once again this year, they will also open the doors to workshops, hangars and collections where whole chapters of our industrial history are kept — and sometimes still driven. Under the theme “Heritage at risk”, this 43rd edition invites us to take a closer look at what deserves to be preserved, including what lies under the bonnet.

To make sure you do not miss anything, the Fédération Française des Véhicules d’Époque (FFVE) has put an interactive map online, listing more than one hundred events all over France: museums exceptionally open to the public, armoured vehicles brought out of their hangars, elegance rallies, and clubs throwing their doors wide open. More than enough to fill the weekend.

Voiture bleu

Here is our selection, designed to cover as many regions and facets of this rolling heritage as possible:

 

European Heritage Days: our selection of events

 

Organiser: Musée de l’Automobile

Location: Valençay, Indre (36)

Around sixty cars, from 1898 to the present day, all in working order, displayed alongside fire engines, motorcycles and period parts. This year, the museum is dedicating a themed exhibition to 50 years of Renault Sport, with Alpine and Gordini also making an appearance.

 

Organiser: Musée des Blindés et de la Cavalerie

Location: Saumur, Maine-et-Loire (49)

More than 800 vehicles, including 250 on permanent display, from France, the United States, Germany and beyond: the Saumur museum remains a world reference for anyone looking to understand a century of armoured vehicle history, from 1917 to the present day.

 

Organiser: Manoir de l’Automobile

Location: Lohéac, Ille-et-Vilaine (35)

In a former farm entirely converted for the purpose, more than 400 vehicles tell the story of a century of motoring, from horse-drawn vehicles to Formula 1 cars, with a few Ferraris and Lamborghinis along the way. A recreation of old trades and a model area complete the visit.

 

Organiser: Cité Rétro-mécanique, Parc et Collection Maurice Dufresne

Location: Azay-le-Rideau, Indre-et-Loire (37)

The museum is exceptionally opening its reserve collection, where around one hundred vehicles usually hidden from public view are kept. One piece of advice: remember to bring a torch.

 

Organiser: Musée du Circuit du Comminges

Location: Saint-Gaudens, Haute-Garonne (31)

Photographs, archives, posters and two historic racing vehicles retrace the sporting epic of the Circuit du Comminges between 1925 and 1954, covering both cars and motorcycles. Open on 19 September only.

 

Organiser: Conservatoire du Machinisme Agricole et des Métiers d’Autrefois

Location: Velesmes-Échevanne, Haute-Saône (70)

Tractors, agricultural machinery, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, civilian and military trucks: a richly varied collection, complemented by recreations of workshops from days gone by, including a forge, clog-maker’s workshop, carpentry workshop and dairy.

 

Organiser: Les Calandres du Monastère

Location: Le Monastère, Aveyron (12)

An exhibition of classic cars of all makes, in the heart of the village.

 

Organiser: Musée des sapeurs-pompiers du Val-d’Oise

Location: Osny, Val-d’Oise (95)

From the Middle Ages to the 2000s, the history of firefighters is told through objects, staged scenes and vehicles, with a drone demonstration and a concert by the firefighters’ band on Sunday afternoon. Free entry, at the Château de Grouchy.

 

Organiser: Club La Belle Époque and Lions Club Annecy Imperial

Location: Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Haute-Savoie (74)

The first edition of the Rallye Lions at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard: a touring rally around Lake Annecy, a car exhibition and passenger rides, in support of the association Enfants Cancers Santé. A charity event supported by several FFVE clubs in the region.

 

Organiser: Élégance Sur Le Port

Location: Saint-Pierre, Réunion Island (97)

Head to the Indian Ocean for this FFVE-approved event: around 150 cars over 30 years old, produced between 1929 and 1995, will be on display and parading at the marina in Saint-Pierre. Exhibition from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., French-style elegance parade from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry.

Want to discover more events near you? The FFVE’s dynamic map lists all the weekend’s events, region by region.