Car shows in France 2026: complete calendar (13 dates)
Complete 2026 calendar of car and auto shows in France: Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Auto), Rétromobile 50th edition, Tour Auto at the Grand Palais, Le Mans 24h, Epoqu'Auto Lyon. Dates, venues, tips.
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2026 is a major year for the French automotive event scene. The Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Auto) returns for its 91st edition after a notable absence, Rétromobile celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Tour Auto returns to the Grand Palais after a five-year renovation, and the new Salon National de l'Automobile Électrique runs a four-city tour. This is also the year when electric vehicle adoption stops being a trend topic and becomes the core commercial story of every manufacturer.
For enthusiasts visiting France, prospective buyers, or industry professionals, this calendar lists the 13 confirmed major automotive events in France for 2026. Exact dates, venues, audience profile : everything to plan a trip without wasting time.
2026 at a glance
Three headlines set the tone for the year :
The year breaks into three peaks. January and February concentrate the heritage events (Rétromobile, Historic Auto). May and June see regional shows, the electric vehicle tour, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. October and November bring the major public events back with the Paris Motor Show and Epoqu'Auto Lyon.
All 13 dates at a glance
Always check the official organiser's website before travelling : dates may shift, and some shows have different days for press, professionals, and the general public.
| Event | Venue | 2026 dates | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rétromobile (50th edition) | Paris Expo Porte de Versailles | 28 Jan - 1 Feb 2026 | Classic cars |
| Historic Auto Nantes | Beaujoire Expo Park, Nantes | 27 Feb - 1 Mar 2026 | Vintage vehicles |
| Tour Auto (35th edition) | Grand Palais, Paris (start) | 3 - 9 May 2026 | Classic car rally |
| Electric Auto Show Nice | Nice | 24 May 2026 | Electric vehicle test drives |
| Salon Auto Montpellier | Montpellier Expo Park | 29 May - 1 June 2026 | General consumer auto |
| Electric Auto Show Angers | Angers | 31 May 2026 | Electric vehicle test drives |
| Electric Auto Show Toulouse | Toulouse | 7 June 2026 | Electric vehicle test drives |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans (94th) | Le Mans Circuit | 10 - 14 June 2026 | Endurance racing |
| Electric Auto Show Paris | Paris | 28 June 2026 | Electric vehicle test drives |
| Salon Auto Moto Classic | TBC | 4 - 6 Sept 2026 | Vintage auto and motorbike |
| Paris Motor Show (91st) | Paris Expo Porte de Versailles | 12 - 18 Oct 2026 | Major consumer auto |
| Epoqu'Auto | Eurexpo Lyon, Chassieu | 6 - 8 Nov 2026 | Vintage cars and motorbikes |
| Lyon Two-Wheeler Show | Eurexpo Lyon | Nov 2026 (TBC) | Motorbikes |
January-February 2026 : heritage season
Rétromobile, 50th edition (28 January - 1 February 2026)
The flagship event of the year. Rétromobile turns fifty at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, in Halls 4 and 7. A VIP preview opens on 27 January ; public access runs 28 January to 1 February. More than 130 000 visitors expected per the organiser, with a record concentration of specialist exhibitors (sales, restoration, parts, automotive books and art).
Opening hours vary by day : 10 am to 7 pm early week, until 10 pm on Friday for the traditional late-night session. Reduced tickets are available for members of accredited car clubs.
Best for : collectors, restorers, automotive history enthusiasts, professionals in the classic car market.
Historic Auto Nantes (27 February - 1 March 2026)
Three days at the Beaujoire Expo Park in Nantes for the main classic car gathering of western France. The event occupies nearly the entire park and combines static exhibition, parts swap meet, opening parade, and decade-themed reconstructions.
It's the reference event for the Greater West, slightly smaller than Rétromobile but with a more regional vibe and easier access from outside Paris.
Best for : collectors and enthusiasts from western France, parts hunters, families (kids' activities available).
May-June 2026 : Grand Palais, electric, endurance
Tour Auto, 35th edition (3 - 9 May 2026)
Major spring event. Tour Auto 2026 marks the major return to the Grand Palais after five years of renovation work. Over 230 classic cars start from Paris for a multi-day rally across France, finishing in Cassis. Cars are displayed at the Grand Palais before the start : the event is open to the public for two days of pre-departure exhibition.
This is one of the very few historic rallies that still maintains logistics on this scale internationally. For the general public, the pre-departure exhibition at the Grand Palais is the most accessible and spectacular part.
Best for : classic car enthusiasts, photographers, casual visitors (the Grand Palais exhibition is impressive regardless of technical knowledge).
Salon National de l'Automobile Électrique (May-June 2026, 4 stops)
New touring format in 2026 : the Salon National de l'Automobile Électrique stops in four cities with 50 models available for free test drives at each stop, per the organiser's press kit. Confirmed dates :
Format is short (one day per city) but dense : vehicle test drives on closed circuit, advisory workshops on charging, expert area on incentives and tax credits. This is the simplest format in 2026 to compare competing EV models in a few hours without sales pressure.
Best for : households planning an electric vehicle purchase, first-time EV buyers, active shoppers.
24 Hours of Le Mans, 94th edition (10 - 14 June 2026)
Not strictly a trade show, but the most internationally televised automotive event held in France. From 10 to 14 June, the 24 Hours circuit hosts practice, qualifying, town parade, and the race itself (Saturday 2 pm - Sunday 2 pm). 250 000 spectators on average over the weekend per the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest), with exceptional international TV coverage.
For a casual visitor, the Thursday programme (night qualifying) and Friday (parade in central Le Mans) are often more accessible than the race itself.
Best for : motorsport fans, prestige car enthusiasts, photographers, group travellers (book accommodation well in advance).
September-October 2026 : event of the year
Paris Motor Show, 91st edition (12 - 18 October 2026)
The defining French automotive event of the year. The 91st edition of the Mondial de l'Auto is held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, from 12 to 18 October 2026. Monday 12 October is reserved for press and professionals ; public opening runs Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October. Five halls dedicated across the venue, over 60 brands announced per the organiser's press kit (figure to be confirmed at end of exhibitor registration).
The 2026 thematic angle confirmed by official communications : autonomous vehicle test drives, real-world demonstrations, dialogue between manufacturers and institutions on low-emission zones. The electric transition remains structural but stops being presented as a promise and becomes a normalised commercial offer.
Entry pricing is not yet announced as of mid-May 2026 ; based on the 2024 edition, expect roughly 16 € adult full price, 8 € for children 10-17, free under 10. Online ticketing should open before mid-July.
Best for : general public, households shopping for a vehicle (all brands on one site), autonomous and EV enthusiasts, industry professionals (Monday press-pro day).
November 2026 : classics and two-wheelers
Epoqu'Auto Lyon (6 - 8 November 2026)
Three days at Eurexpo Lyon Chassieu for the largest regional vintage vehicle event in France. Over 110 000 visitors expected per the organiser, 850 to 900 exhibitors planned for the 2026 edition. The format is dense : static exhibition, parts swap meet, brand or decade-themed displays each year, track demonstrations of historic race cars.
This is the reference event for southeastern France and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The Eurexpo indoor format allows comfortable visits even in unfavorable autumn weather.
Best for : vintage car collectors and enthusiasts, parts hunters (Epoqu'Auto has one of the best-stocked swap meets in France), amateur restorers.
And Equip Auto in 2026 ?
Common question : Equip Auto does not take place in 2026. The major B2B trade show for the automotive aftermarket and repair industry runs on a biennial cycle. The next edition will be held 12 to 16 October 2027 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The Paris Motor Show remains the only major Paris automotive event in 2026 for both professionals and the general public, with the specificity of a dedicated Monday press-pro day.
Three practical tips
1. Check online ticketing two months ahead. Major consumer shows (Paris Motor Show, Rétromobile, Epoqu'Auto, Tour Auto) offer presale rates that typically save 25 to 35 % over door prices. Skip-the-line tickets are rarely necessary except for the Paris Motor Show weekend.
2. Identify the brands you want to see before going. At a 60-brand Paris Motor Show across five halls, two hours barely covers one hall. Prioritising the night before avoids day-of frustration.
3. Use the quiet days. Tuesday and Wednesday are historically the least busy days at most consumer shows. The weekend concentrates 60 to 70 % of total attendance. Going midweek lets you actually sit in a vehicle and talk to reps without queuing.
On the organisation side: each of these shows runs on substantial logistics (exhibitor registration, stand planning, reservation tracking, exhibitor communication). For regional or sector-specific event organisers looking to industrialise their workflow, French trade show management software like Keyqo, focused on exhibitor management and interactive floor plan editing, covers these needs in a single tool.
FAQ
What is the biggest car show in France in 2026 ?
The Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Auto), running 12 to 18 October 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, is by far the largest French automotive event of the year. Its 91st edition brings together manufacturers and exhibitors from around the world across five halls. It's the reference event for both general public and industry professionals.
When is the Paris Motor Show 2026 ?
The Paris Motor Show 2026 runs from 12 to 18 October 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Monday 12 October is reserved for press and professionals ; public opening runs Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October.
Which French car shows feature vintage vehicles in 2026 ?
Four major French events for vintage and classic vehicles in 2026 : Rétromobile in Paris (28 January - 1 February, 50th edition), Historic Auto Nantes (27 February - 1 March), Tour Auto at the Grand Palais (3 - 9 May, 35th edition), and Epoqu'Auto Lyon at Eurexpo (6 - 8 November). Add Salon Auto Moto Classic in September if it's in your region.
Is there an electric vehicle show in France in 2026 ?
Yes. The Salon National de l'Automobile Électrique runs a touring format in 2026 with four stops : Nice (24 May), Angers (31 May), Toulouse (7 June), and Paris (28 June). Each stop offers 50 EV models for free test drives on closed circuit in a single day. This is the most efficient format in 2026 to compare competing EVs without going through individual dealerships.
How much time should I plan for the Paris Motor Show ?
Plan at least a half day to walk one hall and see five to six brands in depth. To cover all five halls thoroughly, plan a full day, ideally midweek to avoid crowds. Visitors who want to test drive autonomous vehicles (announced for demonstrations in 2026) should book their slot as soon as online ticketing opens.
Does Equip Auto run in 2026 ?
No. Equip Auto runs on a biennial cycle. The last edition was held in 2025 and the next will run 12 to 16 October 2027 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. In 2026, aftermarket professionals can fall back on the Paris Motor Show press-pro day (Monday 12 October), which has a dedicated parcours.
Going further
If you follow other sector calendars or work as an exhibitor, here are our complementary guides :
Sources :
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