L'Aventure Citroën Presents "Citroën Sport: 60 Years of Passion & Victories"

Citroën and motorsport share a rich history, punctuated by successes and challenges met on tracks and special stages around the world. The brand with the double chevron has etched its name into the pantheon of rally-raid, dominating this demanding discipline, before leaving an indelible mark on the World Rally Championship (WRC), winning multiple driver and manufacturer titles that testify to unwavering know-how and passion. To celebrate this exceptional heritage and allow enthusiasts, as well as a general audience, to delve into the heart of this epic story, L’Aventure Citroën offers a unique journey through time. An unprecedented exhibition is set to honour sixty years of motorsport, from the genesis of official engagements to the most recent triumphs. This is an event not to be missed for anyone interested in the history of Citroën and the world of mechanical competition.

A saga of mechanical and human legends

L’Aventure Citroën, in partnership with Hélice Galerie, is presenting an event of remarkable scale: the "Citroën Sport: 60 Years of Passion & Victories" exhibition. Hosted at the unique venue of Hélice Galerie, located in Flin, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of France (Grand Est region), this retrospective will open its doors on June 2, 2025, and run until February 28, 2026. Across more than 1100 m² (nearly 12,000 sq ft), visitors will have the opportunity to rediscover six decades of Citroën's commitment to motorsport, a history that truly began in 1965 with the first vehicles officially prepared for rallying and the creation of the brand's Competition department. The curated exhibition journey covers the entirety of this glorious period, tracing the evolution of cars and disciplines, from the early rally exploits in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, through the Rallycross years, the incredible Rally-Raid saga, circuit victories (WTCC), and the era of WRC domination spanning from the 90s to the present day. With no fewer than 25 vehicles on display, 20 of which come from L’Aventure Citroën's precious collections, the exhibition offers an exceptional panorama of racing machines that have written history. Among them, visitors will find iconic models like the DS, SM, and CX that competed in rallies, the untameable ZX which racked up 36 victories in Rally-Raid, including 4 Paris-Dakar wins and the legendary Paris-Beijing, or the queens of WRC such as the Xsara Kit Car, Xsara WRC, C4 WRC, DS3 WRC, and C3 WRC – cars that allowed Citroën to hold the record for victories in the discipline. The C-Elysée, three-time WTCC world champion, will also be present. Sixty years of history is an impressive figure, symbolizing a rare longevity and consistency in the demanding world of motorsport, and this exhibition is a celebration worthy of this significant anniversary. The immersive experience will be enhanced by spectacular archive images accompanying the vehicles, plunging visitors into the heart of the action and emotion of the race.

An unmissable event for enthusiasts and the curious

This exhibition is intended to be an unmissable event, not only for unconditional fans of the double chevron brand but also for a wider audience curious to discover a facet of French automotive history and motorsport. It also pays tribute to the men and women who built this legend, whether behind the wheel of these powerful cars, like the famous Ari Vatanen, Pierre Lartigue, Philippe Bugalski, Sébastien Loeb, and many others, or at the helm of the competition department, such as Marlène Cotton or Guy Fréquelin. An immersion into the world of performance, innovation, and passion that is well worth the trip. To plan your visit, here is the essential practical information. The exhibition is located at Hélice Galerie, 3 rue des Vosges, 54122 Flin, in the Grand Est region of France. Standard opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Excellent news for those unable to visit during the week: exceptional Sunday openings are planned once a month, from 10 am to 5 pm, with the possibility of guided tours – a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge. Regarding admission fees, the full price is €8 including tax. However, and this is a significant advantage for members, access is free for holders of the L’Aventure Peugeot Citroën DS card, upon presentation of their card. Given the interest generated by such an event, booking your visit is strongly recommended, especially for Sunday openings. Catering is also possible upon reservation, allowing you to extend your experience on site. A souvenir shop will be available, offering the chance to take home an item related to this exciting exhibition. For any questions or reservations, you can contact Hélice Galerie by phone at +33 3 72 96 10 60 or by email at contact@helice-galerie.com. Press contacts are also available for specific inquiries. Don't miss this unique opportunity to dive into the heart of Citroën's sporting history.

This exhibition holds particular significance for enthusiasts. The 25 vehicles on display, a large majority of which come from L'Aventure Citroën's collections, are for the most part those that were carefully preserved at the Conservatoire Citroën. While the Conservatoire, an emblematic location for the preservation of the brand's heritage, is unfortunately closed to date, this exhibition offers a tremendous opportunity to continue admiring these rolling treasures and giving them the visibility they deserve. This is an essential undertaking for L'Aventure Citroën, which actively works to safeguard and promote the brand's history. Beyond the pleasure of discovery and historical interest, the success of this exhibition is also crucial. High attendance and clear enthusiasm from visitors would provide significant additional leverage with decision-makers. Demonstrating the loyalty and passion of the Citroën community for its history and heritage could thus help strengthen advocacy for the creation of a genuine Citroën Museum, a project highly anticipated and hoped for by all lovers of the double chevron. Visiting this exhibition is therefore not only offering yourself an exciting journey into the heart of motorsport but also providing concrete support for the cause of Citroën's heritage and the hope for a permanent venue dedicated to its history. An act of passion that carries weight.