The Henri Malartre Automobile Museum is the result of the collection created by this automobile enthusiast. Henri Malartre began his collection in 1931, when he decided to preserve an 1898 Rochet-Schneider that was due to be demolished (he was an automotive demolition contractor). As his collection grew, he bought the Chateau de Rochetaillee-sur-Saone in 1959 to provide it with the necessary setting. His museum would long be known by the name of this chateau. Wishing to perpetuate his collection and the museum, Henri Malartre sold it to the City of Lyon in 1972.
Cars at the Henri Malartre Museum
Henri Malartre was an eclectic enthusiast, and his collection stretches from the late 19th century to the 1970s, from popular to sports and prestige cars, with a total of around 150 cars on display. The tour begins in the chateau, where many of the “ancestors” are housed. It’s very surprising and original to find cars spread across these rooms, which have retained their original style, floors, woodwork and ceilings, adding a great deal of charm to the visit…
Installing the cars in the rooms was no mean feat, since they had to be dismantled and then reassembled for display! This was the case for the Rochet-Schneider 1898, which is still one of the highlights of the collection, with several unique models. Henri Malartre was particularly interested in brands from Lyon, a region where car manufacturing had developed strongly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a result, the museum keeps track of the many craftsmen and industrialists such as Berliet, Cottin-Desgouttes, Jean-Gras, Luc Court and Rochet-Schneider, all of which have now disappeared. But you can also admire De Dion Bouton, Panhard & Levassor, Peugeot, Renault and many others.
As you leave the chateau, don’t miss the small room showing a film on the history of the museum, and the “Rochetaillee Speciale” for a souvenir photo in a Torpedo!
We then cross the park to visit the Hall Gordini, where we find ourselves in a more classic museum configuration. The cars are displayed in chronological order. Among the nuggets on display are a 1908 Sizaire et Naudin Type F racing car, a skiff-bodied Fiat 509, a 1927 Lorraine Dietrich type “Le Mans”, directly derived from the 1925 and 1926 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, a 1930 Bugatti Type 49, a splendid 1931 Lancia Asturia convertible and a 1934 Voisin C24, in remarkable condition despite never having been restored.
Other curiosities include Hitler’s monstrous armored Mercedes, recovered in 1945 from Berchtesgaden by troops of General Leclerc’s 2nd Armored Division, and the “Papamobile” fitted out on the basis of a Renault Espace for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Lyon in 1986.
Next up are some of the sporting stars of the 1950s/60s, with a Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing”, a very rare Maserati A6G 2000 convertible (1957), or a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 from 1968. Less rare, the Jaguar MK2 (here a 1964 model) was a refined sedan, but also a sports car at home in rallying and on the racetrack. It can be considered the matrix of today’s sports sedans, such as the BMW M or Mercedes AMG. 2 curious prototypes complete the hall. The Marsonetto, a 2+2 coupé with fiberglass bodywork, was created by a craftsman from Lyon. The JPW was designed by French racing driver Jean Pierre Wimille, based on original architecture and aerodynamic bodywork, a project that was abandoned following the driver’s death in the race.
We then move on to the Hall Pradel, named in memory of Louis Pradel, former mayor of Lyon and a great friend of Henri Malartre, who played a major role in the acquisition of the museum by the city of Lyon and its continued existence. This area features a collection of popular cars, including a prototype Citroën 2 CV dating from 1939, a Trabant and a number of micro-cars.
A number of prestige and sports cars await you, including the 1930 Renault Vivastella that belonged to the Lumière brothers (Lyon natives and inventors of cinema), a 1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Record bodied as a cabriolet by Dubos, and the Citroën SM, the last great French GT with its Maserati V6 and unique styling.
The small competition section also features a number of treasures, including the Rollan Pilain Grand Prix of 1923, a unique model and forerunner of Formula 1, a 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Prix winner of the 1949 Belgian and French Grand Prix, and the Gordini Type 16 winner of the 1952 ACF Grand Prix (GP de France).
Besides cars
In addition to cars, the museum also exhibits a large and beautiful collection of bicycles and motorcycles on the top floor of the chateau. We follow the bikes evolution, from the draisienne to the bicycles though Grand Bi and other 2-wheeled curiosities. The motorcycle collection begins with the first attempts to install engines on slightly reinforced bicycles, then follows the evolution up to the 1960s, not forgetting the mopeds.
The Pradel hall also houses a collection of Lyon public transport (Fourviere funicular, omnibus, electric tramway, blue train). The décor features many emblematic objects and accessories, such as radiator grilles, mascots and lighths. Panels in the chateau recall the original use of the rooms, before they were “furnished” with vintage cars.
The museum has a complete workshop, where a team of staff are dedicated to maintaining the collection, keeping all these nuggets running smoothly. Throughout the year, the Henri Malartre Automobile Museum offers family events, such as demonstrations of the museum’s cars in the park, with the opportunity to climb aboard. Several automobile club gatherings and car exhibitions are organized throughout the year. The Henri Malartre Automobile Museum organizes guided tours, some of which are themed or even in sign language.
Practical info
Please note that some GPS systems suggest an uphill route through La Rochetaillee, which can be a dead end, especially when arriving from Lyon. Indeed, the Rue du Musee (despite a sign indicating the museum) is closed to traffic before you reach the museum.
It’s best to cross the city of La Rochetaillee-sur-Saone and follow the Saone river towards Neuville sur Saone, until you reach a roundabout where you’ll find directions to the museum via Rue du Musee (see map).
Opening
| February to December, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 6pm |
| In January, open Saturdays and Sundays ONLY, 10.30am to 6pm |
| Open from 1pm to 6pm on the 3rd Friday of each month. |
| Closed on Mondays, January 1 and December 25, Every 3rd Friday of the month from 10:30am to 1pm |
| Ticket office closes at 5pm |
| Groups welcome from Tuesday to Sunday by prior arrangement. |
Prices
| Full price | 6,00€ |
| Reduced rate (18-25 years) | 4,00€ |
| Young people under 18, jobseekers, disabled persons | Free |
| Groups, schools: by reservation, contact the museum | |
| Large free parking |
The photos on this page belong to Automobile Museums, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the platform.
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