Twice a year the car club Vincennes de Anciennes takes over Paris with a huge rally that goes from one big monument to another, from La Place di Gambetta to the Place de la Republique to La Tour Eiffel and all through the town on the Sunday before Retromobile, turning the City of Light into La Ville des les Voitures. This year we started at the Place Vauban by Napolean's Tomb ("He's still in there," said a car enthusiast named Alex, en Francaise) and were soon invited into the impeccable blue Citroen DS 21 of a guy named Jean-Girard for the drive to the sprawling Place de la Concorde, where the FIA is headquartered. What a collection: everything from family-hauling beater SIMCAs to a gorgeous, unrestored Bugatti Type 57 S Ventoux. They're just like us, notre freres Francaise! There were even a couple Camaros, Mustangs, and one guy all bundled up in a 427 Cobra. Next: On to Retromobile, which opens to the public Wednesday. Vive l'automobile!Citroën DS 21La Citroën DS 21 de Mssr. Jean-GirrardCitroën DSPorsche Super 90Jeeps!Bugatti Type 57 S VentouxSIMCA Wagon1954 Peugeot 203This car lived in the same town outside Paris for 72 years. From 1966 to 2006 it stayed in the same garage. Christian, at right, pulled it out and started it up. He and friend Thomas drove it here. Citroën Traction AvantTraction Avant means front wheel-drive. Renault 4CVCitroën CX 25 GTI TurboCitroën SMAlpine A110Porsche 911TMV Augusta 750 SAlfa Romeo RZ (Roadster Zagato) Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 SRenault 12 and a Peugeot 504Peugeot 504Renault 15 TLCitroën DS 23 with Landau TopWolseleyFiat 850Citroën AcadieneMGAMiniRenault MeganePorscheAlpine A110 GTHell’s AccountantsCamaro SSCamaro, Bitchin’Big American IronLe ConduizerThis guy is 92 years old, bought his Citroën D Super ID in 1985, and still drives it. Citroën D Super IDAlpine A110Citroën AcadianeRenault 4CV427 CobraAlfa Romeo 2600 Traction AvantFord RoadsterCorvette!Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 TIFiat TopolinoTraction AvantPeugeot 504Citroën 2CVCitroën DSCitroën AMIFord Roadster InteriorHomebuilt Electric MotorcycleLotus Super Seven 600
