This collection of classic cars turns the Grand Palais into an automotive temple

In Paris, the Grand Palais will host, on May 3 and 4, an extraordinary exhibition of more than 230 classic cars, in the run-up to Tour Auto 2026. A few hours before the start of this iconic event, the heir to the Tour de France Automobile, visitors have the chance to get up close to rare and prestigious models before they take to the roads of France. Here’s what we thought.

Before hitting France’s most scenic roads, the Tour Auto 2026 stops in Paris to showcase its legendary cars. On 3 and 4 May 2026, more than 230 classic cars will gather under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, in a setting worthy of these exceptional bodies. A smooth, well-oiled prelude before the historic race kicks off.

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For those discovering the event, the Tour Auto is the heir to the Tour de France Automobile. Each year, this rally brings together iconic vintage models on a route that blends automotive heritage, passion, and performance. In 2026, the crews will set off from Paris to Biarritz, from May 4 to 9, for five days of racing across France.

Set against the majestic Grand Palais, the adventure gets under way. Lined up beneath the nave, the cars reveal their lines, their curves, and their character, in an atmosphere that already feels like a departure. Thanks to the Early Access Pass, some visitors will even enjoy exclusive entry before the public opens, a chance to admire the vehicles without having to elbow their way in.

Our take:

Under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, the Tour Auto 2026 exhibition kicks off at full throttle. Once you step into the nave, you find yourself circling a bit — literally — as the cars spill across the space. It’s hard to know where to start, with endless rows of bodies stretching as far as the eye can see. And that’s precisely the charm: a lavish abundance that sets the tone.

Here, you don’t need to be a serious collector to enjoy it — you just have to love beautiful machines and places that showcase them. Natural light filtered through the glass roof highlights the curves and makes the models—from the 1930s to the 1980s—glow. It’s shiny, it plays with color, all set to a subtle soundtrack that creates just the right mood.

Along the route, you’ll admire ultra-chic Jaguar design, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 S (the oldest in the show), the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO (worth millions), and in the distance, a row of Porsche bonnets that read like a color palette. Visitors are free to wander, letting their eyes wander and favorites take the lead.

On the practical side, a few notes: the balconies are off-limits (except during VIP cocktails for prestige guests). The show runs over two days only, so expect crowds, especially after work. That said, the sheer scale of the nave prevents a crush from forming.

A handful of partner stands line the route (tuning, equipment, sales houses...), and the drivers are expected to be more present on Monday to mingle with visitors — and perhaps even give them a peek inside these race-bred machines.

Admission is free for visitors under 16 when accompanied: a welcome outing that can also appeal to the younger crowd.

Under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, the show starts long before the departure. Even before the roar of the engines, this collection car exhibition offers enthusiasts an intimate, one-on-one encounter with exceptional models, on the cusp of their grand voyage.