| Location: | Compiègne, France |
| Type: | Automobile Museum |
| Website: | National Car and Tourism museum |
The National Car and Tourism museum or Car museum in Compiègne (French: Musée national de la voiture et du tourisme) is an automobile museum located in the left wing of the Château de Compiègne, in the department of Oise.[1]
The National Car and Tourism museum was created on the initiative of the Touring Club de France association, in which the major coachbuilders present at the Universal Exhibitions wanted to create a history of land locomotion and contribute to the preservation of horse-drawn and motorized heritage.[2] It was inaugurated on July 1, 1927 by Édouard Herriot, Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts.
The museum boasts around 100 carriages, horse-drawn vehicles and porters dating back to the 18th century, complemented by a collection of cycles and around 30 automobiles from the early days of the industry, as well as a collection of transport-related documents. Famous models include :
The Museum regularly lends pieces from its collection to the Parisian Rétromobile show, as in 2009 with the exhibition of La Jamais Contente, and in 2016 with the exhibition of exceptional vehicles from the Palais de Compiègne.[3]
Every year, the Rallye des ancêtres brings together motor vehicles and motorcycles built before January 1, 1906 for a rally through the Oise region, starting at the Musée de Compiègne.[4]