Entre Les Murs

Champs de Cars

I thought the Champs Elysées was the prestigious address for the designers of haute couture - but outshining them these days are the major French auto makers who have built showrooms in which they present their latest - and beyond - wares.  These aren't dealerships where you can take a car out for a test drive; they're glitzy galleries where they attempt to define their brand in the most exciting and showy way.

Peugot has bizarre and fanciful concept cars.  Yesterday evening it was full of tourists taking more pictures than they did just up the block at the Arc de Triomphe.  There is also a little gift shop, and a bunch of well-dressed security guards making sure no one touches the vehicles, or drips water on the floor from their umbrella (oops).


Renault has two of their Formula 1 race cars and a display of under-the-hood technology.  On the wall there is a description of each course in the Formula 1 circuit.  They have one of their production models on the floor, as well as an unusual ragtop that I'm not sure we'll ever see on the road (below).  As well as a gift shop, they had a full restaurant on the second floor with a view of the displays.


Renault's next big thing?

There are others.  I didn't go to see what Citröen is doing but they're building something out over the sidewalk.  It's still covered by scaffolding, but is clearly going to be even more elaborate than the rest.

posted 18.1.07