The Rétros du 17 bring a whiff of polished chrome and engine oil to avenue Carnot in the 17th arrondissement of Paris this Saturday, September 12, 2026. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Mairie du 17e and the association Équipe Los Amigos will showcase vintage and classic cars just a short stroll from Place Charles de Gaulle.
The setting already does half the work. Picture gleaming grilles lined up along the asphalt, and at the end of the vista, the Arc de Triomphe watching over them like a grandfather over his well-dressed grandchildren. Collectors, curious visitors and families have plenty to enjoy for a friendly day around this heritage that keeps rolling.
The town hall is promising a packed day, one that won’t be limited to admiring parked car bodies:
When it comes to the soundtrack, the choice hits the mark. Swing Cocktail is a Parisian jazz band that draws on swing, gypsy jazz, and timeless standards. Tunes that go nicely with the purr of vintage engines.
Behind this gathering of vintage automobiles, a small group of enthusiasts keeps classic motorsport alive. The Equipe Los Amigos is reviving French grand tourers that competed in the 1950s and 1960s, notably the cars from Deutsch & Bonnet and René Bonnet, affectionately known as the little blue cars.
The association argues that a classic vehicle should be on display and shared, not tucked away under a tarp. For younger generations, it’s also a chance to discover the mechanics they’ve only ever seen in old films.
The place has its own character. The avenue Carnot is the shortest of the twelve avenues that radiate from Place Charles-de-Gaulle. Louis Aragon, whose mother ran a boarding house here in the early 20th century, nicknamed it the Avenue of the Catalpas. The trees lining it are actually paulownias, which burst into violet blossoms in the spring.
A nod to the motor buffs: the avenue is named after Lazare Carnot, the man nicknamed the organizer of the 1793 victory. His son, Sadi Carnot, laid the foundations of thermodynamics in 1824 by studying the efficiency of steam engines. Hard to beat as a place to bring old machines back to life with a roar.
Have a car, a motorcycle, or even an old bicycle that deserves to be seen? The town hall is inviting owners of collectible vehicles to join the exhibition. Just send your application by email, including your contact details, the make, model, year, and a few photos of the vehicle. No deadline is mentioned, so it’s best not to wait until the last minute with the event just days away.
To host the Rétros of the 17th, Carnot Avenue will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The affected stretch runs from number 14 to 32 on the even side and from number 11 to 27 on the odd side, up to the intersection with Rue des Acacias. Parking is prohibited within this perimeter as well as on Rue Anatole-de-la-Forge.
Pedestrian paths remain open to foot traffic all day long. The simplest option is to reach it by public transport, getting off at Charles de Gaulle–Étoile station, served by Metro lines 1, 2 and 6 and the RER A. Remember to check traffic conditions on the RATP website before you go.
The Rétros du 17 have all the makings of a welcome, free little post-summer interlude. Car enthusiasts will find plenty to admire, but the kid-friendly activities, a food truck and a swing concert also make it a perfect outing for families or friends. Photographers, for their part, rarely get the chance to frame vintage car bodies with the Arc de Triomphe in the background.
A quick heads-up: the town hall hasn’t published the hours or access rules for the 1930s bus tours and the sidecar baptisms. If you want a chance to take part, arrive early and check on-site for details. The event is outdoors, so keeping an eye on the weather couldn’t hurt.
To stretch the day, the Ternes district has no shortage of places to eat. Our restaurants in the 17th arrondissement and our ideas for outings in Paris 17 offer you a few leads.
The weekend of September 12–13, 2026 isn’t limited to Carnot Avenue. That Saturday afternoon, the 13e arrondissement will host the Vietnamese cultural parade of the 13th. Postponed to June because of the heatwave, this free procession starts from Avenue d’Ivry and winds its way to Place d’Italie, carried by sixteen Franco-Vietnamese associations. For the original date, organizers announced áo dài—the traditional costumes from various regions of Vietnam—martial arts, drums, and folk dances.
Between the 5th and 6th arrondissements, La Fête de Paris invites us to travel through the capital’s history on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, 2026. Organized by the Paris-Geneviève association, this free festival sets up a craft village, a guinguette, and a dancing ground near Place André-Honnorat at the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens. On Sunday at 2 p.m., the grand historical parade brings together more than 1,000 costumed participants between the Panthéon and Luxembourg, this year paying tribute to Joséphine Baker. Details can be found on the La Fête de Paris website and on the 6th arrondissement town hall page.
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, Brazil makes its entrance again into the streets with the Lavage de la Madeleine, celebrating its 25th edition. The grand, free parade departs at 11 a.m. from Place de la République and winds its way to the Church of the Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement, keeping time with batucadas and samba. Inspired by Salvador de Bahia’s Lavagem do Bonfim, the ceremony culminates in a symbolic washing of the church steps by Bahian women dressed in white. The festival of Lavage de la Madeleine extends the celebration with Brazilian-themed evenings alongside the parade.
To make sure you don’t miss a thing, our weekend-outings roundup in Paris and Île-de-France brings together all the latest ideas.
If Carnot Avenue whetted your appetite for beautiful machines, head for the Yvelines. In Maisons-Laffitte, a free gathering of vintage cars takes place on the last Sunday of every month in the racetrack car park, with vehicles aged 30 years and older.
For hardcore enthusiasts, our guide to outings and venues for classic car fans in Paris brings together parades, expos, museums and circuits to discover year-round.
Dates and Opening Time
On September 10, 2026
From 11:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Location
Carnot Avenue
Avenue Carnot
75017 Paris 17
Route planner
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
