Cite Retro-Mecanique – Maurice Dufresne Parc & Collection

Cars

Here, you’ll find classic cars, some of them quite old, restored with passion: Citroën, Renault, Panhard & Levassor, Ford… Among the finest automobiles in the collection are the little “Le Zèbre” from 1912, a 1919 Buick, a one-of-a-kind model bodied by Bernin (a coachbuilder based in Tours), a 1922 Panhard & Levassor, a luxurious 1926 Chenard & Walker limousine, the 1939 Georges IRAT OLC.3 (the museum’s muse in the FFVE blog), a 1950 Morgan, and an imposing 1959 Buick, the personal car of Maurice Dufresne, who had purchased it from an American general. Citroën is one of the best-represented brands at the Cité Rétromécanique, with a 1922 “Trèfle”, yellow as it should be, a 1928 C6 Torpedo, a 1928 C4F convertible, and an example of the famous Traction, in this case an 11B. A 1941 Peugeot electric microcar recalls the solutions explored during the war to mitigate gasoline shortages.

Citroën is one of the best-represented brands at the Cité Rétromécanique, with a 1922 “Trèfle”, yellow as it should be, a 1928 C6 Torpedo, a 1928 C4F convertible, and an example of the famous Traction, in this case an 11B. A 1941 Peugeot electric microcar recalls the solutions explored during the war to mitigate gasoline shortages.

Besides cars

Cars are just a small part of the collection on display at the Cite Retro-Mecanique. Visitors can explore many other vehicles, including tractors, buses, trucks, construction equipment, bicycles, and motorcycles, as well as a few aircraft (including a Bleriot Type XI identical to the one used to cross the English Channel), both inside the exhibition halls and outdoors for some of the larger exhibits. Staying in the automotive world, you’ll find display cases of miniatures and pedal cars.

The museum’s collection also features industrial machinery such as looms, printing presses, and farm tools, as well as an impressive collection of edged weapons and firearms—a variety sure to satisfy the curiosity of the whole family. The mechanism of the old watermill has been restored and refurbished, allowing visitors to see it in operation during their tour of the collections. Among the other unusual objects to discover is a guillotine dating from the French Revolution, found by chance completely dismantled and subsequently reassembled!

The Chez Jeannot restaurant-bar offers a selection of set meals and drinks to enjoy a meal or take a break during your visit in a pleasant setting. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop, which offers a wide selection of items, postcards, toys, miniatures, books, and more. The museum has a large parking lot (for bicycles, cars, buses, and RVs), a picnic area, and a playground for children.

Animations

At the Cite Retro-Mecanique – Maurice Dufresne Park & Collection, the staff organizes a wide range of activities for children and families throughout the season: treasure hunts (and Easter egg hunts), monthly family Cluedo games, educational workshops on building solar-powered cars for children, behind-the-scenes tours for Heritage Day, a threshing festival in September, and much more. Find out about current and upcoming events here…

Practical information

Opening 2026

April 4-July 19, Wednesday to Sunday	10am-7pm
July 20-August 30, every day	10am-7pm
August 31-September 30, Wednesday to Sunday	10am-6pm
October 1st to 18, Saturday and Sundayt dimanche	10am-6pm
October 19 to 25, Wednesday to Sunday	10am-6pm
Open Easter and Pentecost Mondays

Reopening April 4, 2026. End of season Sunday October 25, 2026.

Fares

Adults	13,00€
Children (10-17 years)	7,00€
Children (under 10 years old)	Free
Students and Disabled	11,00€
Audio guide Option	2,50€

The photos on this page belong to Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the owner