Rétromobile and Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA) join forces to preserve heritage
The 48th edition of Rétromobile to showcase French savoir-faire through a brand new feature dedicated to living heritage companies.
Paris, France - Ever since its very first edition, Rétromobile has embodied the preservation and transmission of motorized vehicle heritage by shining a light on the stakeholders in the sector during the course of the show. In association with the Institut National des Métiers d'Art (INMA), and with the support of the Fédération française des Véhicules d’Epoque (FFVE), the 48th edition of the show is to showcase French savoir-faire through a brand new feature dedicated to living heritage companies (entreprises du patrimoine vivant in French).
All over France, a multitude of organizations take action to preserve two-and four-wheeler heritage. For example, the Fondation du Patrimoine, through its corporate patronage program with Motul, supports restoration projects in all regions of France. Thanks to this initiative, 75 vehicles have been saved since 2008. In another field, Mobilians and the FFVE also play their part in safeguarding this heritage through the "Vintage and historic vehicle repair mechanic" and "Vintage and historic vehicles bodyworker" CQP diplomas (Certificats de Qualification Professionnelle), which today train around forty young people a year. This program of knowledge transmission is essential to ensure that our automotive heritage does not become obsolete in the future. Finally, none of this would be possible without the several hundred companies in France making up the sector, headed by the firms bearing the Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label.
The EPV label: a quality hallmark for the preservation of vintage vehicles in France
This distinction, managed by INMA, is awarded for a period of five years to French companies that combine innovation and tradition. They actively safeguard their know-how, and possess specific techniques that can only be passed on in a workshop. In total, INMA lists nearly 1,500 companies across eight different categories. One of these fields encompasses classic vehicles and comprises 86 companies employing a total of 1,727 people around the country.
Pavilion 1 of Paris Porte de Versailles will thus host a new space dedicated to businesses holding the EPV label. Several of these certified companies, such as Touraine Radiateurs, Garage Bonne Route, Le Parapluie de Cherbourg, la Malle Bernard, Mathieu Lustrerie and Méhari Club de Cassis, have already confirmed their attendance at the show. They will soon be joined by half a dozen other EPV businesses.
Last but not least, Hubert Haberbusch, FFVE Vice President for Professionals and Culture, Master Craftsman and Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, will also be on hand to give his views and take part in a few Q&A sessions with members of the public.
“The issues of training, safeguarding know-how and vehicle conservation are inseparable if we are to protect and pass on to future generations this incredible heritage of the twentieth century - the motor car. We are fortunate to have these EPV companies on French soil, and we will be even prouder to welcome them to the next Retromobile exhibition,” says Romain Grabowski, Rétromobile exhibition director.
“For more than 130 years, INMA has been supporting French know-how and the professionals who possess it. We are proud to share our common values and to be taking part in Rétromobile to raise the profile and recognition of our exceptional expertise,” says Luc Lésénécal, Chairman of the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA).
RÉTROMOBILE 2024
WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY – SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2024
Paris expo Porte de Versailles - Pavilions 1, 2.2, 3
Opening hours: Weds & Fri: 10am – 10pm / Thurs, Sat, Sun: 10am – 7pm
PREVIEW EVENING • TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 FROM 7PM TO 10PM
About Rétromobile
Founded in 1976, Rétromobile is today one of the most prestigious collector car exhibitions in Europe. This stature has allowed it to bring together everyone from the vintage car world, and offer unprecedented and exclusive displays and special features. It is also acknowledged by its visitors as being the world’s largest pop-up art gallery dedicated to cars. As a true leader in the collector car market, Rétromobile is the annual gathering for all car fans
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