22.11.10

C42

There is a very different building on the Champs-Elysées, at no. 42, referred to as “C42” – the Citroën showroom. Citroën has occupied this site since 1927, with different designs. The present one, by Manuelle Gautrand (a female architect), is there since 2007.

It’s a spectacular building, as well outside…
…. as inside, worth a visit already to admire the creativity in the design.


It’s of course important for the image of Citroën in general. The purpose is however also to be a showroom and some of the past, present and future cars are presented.


The car (or one of them) used in the FIA World Rally Championships, where the Citroën driver Sebastien Loeb recently became world champion for the 7th time in a row, is also visible.
In a small shop you can buy models of all the Citroën cars, including the famous “traction-avant” (front-wheel-drive), produced 1934-57, the “deux chevaux” (two tax horsepower), produced 1948-90 and the “DS”, produced 1955-75.

34 comments:

Studio at the Farm said...

What an amazing building!! Thank you, Peter, I really enjoyed this posting.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Peter

Wonderful blog and photos.
You have to love the 2CV, makes me smile everytime I see them.
Paris and the Champs-Elysees, are amazing places to visit.

Happy week
C

Nathalie said...

I've been to the Champs Elysees many times but never inside the citroen showroom. What a gorgeous building. And of course the photos of the 2CV and DS are cult vehicles. Both bring back great memories. My father had a DS when I was a kid and I drove a 2CV as a young adult.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wow! Thats such a wonderful building! Naturally, for the sense that Citroën is perhaps the French national car?

ANGIE CARROLL said...

Amazing architecture, well photographed!

Marooned_SMJ said...

Great post, the cars are awesome, I like them very much.

Olivier said...

c'est vraiment tres original, on se croirait dans un musée/eglise.

alice said...

Ah, la DS...! Ses lignes ont suscité bien des commentaires en son temps mais combien d'enfants se rappellent surtout sa suspension chaloupée et les arrêts en urgence sur le bord des routes sinueuses...

Ruth said...

It's a cool looking building, especially at night. I've always liked the look of Citroëns. Good to know their showroom looks unique too.

hpy said...

Tu te lances dans la pub pour les voitures?

Marie-Noyale said...

Nous n'avons eu que des DS dans la famille et le commentaire d'Alice m'a fait sourire!!!
Comme Nathalie ma 1ere voiture etait une 2CV avec les portes qui s'ouvraient vers l'avant...
Ah... la decapotable des etudiants sans frime!!!

Paris Paul said...

While I'm not a big car fan (making Paris perfect for me) this showroom looks to be worth a visit! As they're turning on the lights on the Champs Elysées this evening, I'll certainly have the chance to give it a look. Thank you, Peter!

Ash said...

Interesting architecture and some nice cars !!

Catherine said...

Vrouuum, vrouuuuum, je ne fais que passer......je ne fais que passer...Faire gaffe au rond point....Faire gaffe au rond point de l'Etoile, tout spécialement....Tu m'as vue ? Ou je suis passée trop vite ?

Virginia said...

P,
Thanks for this tour . I guess I've never spent much time in the shops along the Champs Elysées. Perhaps I should! This building is amazing although I still prefer the old ones. I think Davis might like a little car as a souvenir this trip. Are they pricey?
V

PS This time I will be stopping in the Apple Store Opéra to see how they have renovated that lovely old building . :)

My WV is wishess!

Starman said...

When I saw the first pic, I said to myself that I know that. But I couldn't remember from where. Now, it comes back because you were good enough to include the location. It's also good to know that we can go to the upper floors for picture ops. Thanks.

Alain said...

Citröen a toujours été le constructeur Français le plus innovant, beaucoup de ses voitures sont devenues mythiques (traction avant, deux chevaux, DS...). C'est un peu dommage qu'il ait été racheté par Peugeot.

Scheherazade said...

Enjoyed these photos and learning about this building.

Baglady said...

Beautiful building and space. I love the stained glass. But most of all I love the Citroen DS. *sigh*

PeterParis said...

Thanks for your different comments ... so far.
I have had the privilege to be passenger in a "traction-avant" - once only, to drive a "deux chevaux" during a year. My dad had a DS, which I later took over.

Shionge said...

Oh Wow!!! Hey Peter my best friend from Australia is visiting Paris in Sept 2011, will direct her to your blog for some ideas :D

Owen said...

I'll bet you were itching to take the concept car for a little spin up and down the Champs, with a hair raising passage around the circle at the Arc du Triomphe... ?

claude said...

Moi qui n'aime pas trop le moderne, je trouve ce bâtiment très original et beau vue de dehors.
Quand je pense que j'ai connu la traction avant (je suis montée dans celle de mon cousin René - il avait 6 enfants- il y avait des srtaopontins). Pas étonnant que mon fils ainé vient d'avoir 40 balais.
Mon Pépé était 2cv, lui.
Cela me fait penser que je n'ai jamais eu de citroën.
Dans ma première vie, Je fus Simca, Renault et Fiat
Ensuite, re renault, Nissan et Peugeot.

lyliane six said...

Il y a bien longtemps que je ne suis allée aux Champs, pourtant je suis toujours en route et je n'ai plus beaucoup de temps pour le blog.Comment vas tu et toute ta famille?
bises

Cezar and Léia said...

C'est très futuriste!Magnifiques photos!
Léia

Simony said...

Amazing building! I wonder how they place the cars in that central shaft?!
Very interesting at night, non?

Come into my trading room said...

Great info you got, we learned about the history of Citroen.

Best Property Investment said...

This is for people who are passionate about cars, its history and future cars in line.

Wholesale Jewelry said...

This is a great way to teach kids who will become future car makers on how it takes to make a car.

Investing Online for Dummies said...

You can see the evolution of the cars from its humble days as a small car and becoming one of the more successful car makers in Europe.

Remedies For Colic said...

Hope that they will continue to make cars that will be well loved by people.

Richard said...

I've always thought it interesting that there are car showrooms on the Champs Elysees, rubbing shoulders with fashion and bling. And I think the French manufacturers are all represented? (I could be wrong though) This says something about France - can't figure out quite what it is, but I think it's positive!

Cergie said...

Assez graphique mais surtout très coloré et donc pas trop dans l'esprit français ; heureusement que ce n'est pas destiné à durer comme la cuisine d'un particulier peu fortuné...

Trotter said...

Wonderful shots, but I used to be on the Renault side... ;)