The French twist - the exhilaration of classic Citroens
It is where cars go after being pampered by families after the revolution of the engine of the world shows or, maybe, after five having to transport movie stars and French presidents of the company.
It is rather disappointing when Denis Huille, Conservative, first unlocks the glass door models of vintage cars, speedometer dials and brake pedal rubbers displayed in cabinets are quite interesting but it is a little thread-the-mill.
And then, with a flourish, Denis launches open a pair of nondescript gray fireproof doors to reveal the true treasure; a shed so great, so crammed with cars, you almost breath away.
Just about the size of four football fields, it features rows of almost every type of vehicle never wear the Citroen badge Approximately 500 examples in total.
There are rows of beautiful, sparkling DS models, of course, including the oldest Even a glance of the world this beautiful silhouette, characterized by the sloping nose position at ground level and taillights as sting is unequivocal.
There are whole squads of 2CV, including yellow, with fake bullet holes, 007 to drive for your eyes and two venerable, if not ragged concept versions built in 1939 with a third, since restored, they were found walled up in the attic of a farmhouse Citroën test center in the nineties, having been forgotten after being hidden from Nazis covered with grime and very original condition, it is how they will stay.
In contrast, there are pulling legions Avants majestic, brilliant and a number of such models A Torpedo first mass-produced car Perhaps the most impressive cars of all is the imposing of business, Rosalies impeccably preserved thirties.
This treasure trove, normally open to the public, is also home to a Citroen helicopter two seater 1971, a number of such offbeat H vans, two Citroën tractors, two fire trucks, a pair of half piste skiing vehicles and racy prototype 1967 Panhard 24CT.
Most impressive of all, however, is the presidential section, not only because it houses the DS5 Hybrid 4 transporting the newly elected President François Hollande on the Champs Elysees soaked by rain in May.
What really stops you in your tracks is the 1968 presidential DS21 Looking like an Austin Powers movie accessory, it is 21ft long and 7ft wide and 5 feet high Deep seats, squashy were honored by two presidents Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and Georges Pompidou with its walnut veneer, chrome, glass, acres of deep carpets and cocktail cabinet, it is Versailles on wheels.
Best Classical World Citroens, world.