Paris has always had a taste for the new. Today, electric scooters zip along the boulevards, bicycles weave through the traffic and Metro trains whisk passengers beneath the city. But more than a century ago, Parisians were fascinated by a very different kind of innovation: the motor car. And it seems that fascination has never quite gone away.

In 1898, the Jardin des Tuileries became the setting for what is considered the world’s first motor show. In the heart of Paris, manufacturers gathered to present their latest automobiles, while visitors came to see what this strange new technology might mean for the future.

Remarkably, the cars on display were not all petrol powered. Electric vehicles were already making an appearance, including electric cabs from French manufacturer Jeantaud. More than a century later, the question of how we power our vehicles remains at the centre of the automotive conversation.

As cars became increasingly common, they became part of the rhythm of Parisian life. The city’s streets and boulevards had to accommodate a new form of transport, while the automobile opened up the possibility of travelling further beyond the capital.

For Parisians, the car also became a way of escaping the city at weekends, discovering the countryside and reaching destinations beyond the railway network. Across France, meanwhile, manufacturers such as Renault, Peugeot and Citroën created cars that became part of everyday life. The Citroën 2CV and Renault 4, in particular, remain closely associated with French culture.

Today, Paris is once again preparing to look at where the automobile is heading next.

From 12 to 18 October 2026, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will host the Paris Motor Show, continuing a tradition that began in the Tuileries more than 125 years ago.

The 2026 edition will bring French manufacturers including Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Peugeot, Citroën and DS together with international names from Europe, North America and Asia. Alongside the cars themselves, visitors can discover developments in electric mobility, energy, infrastructure and new automotive technology.

There will also be plenty to experience beyond the exhibition stands. Visitors can get behind the wheel at the dedicated Test Centre, discover autonomous driving at the new Autonomous Lab and explore the (Un)limited area, a 700m² showcase of prestigious and rare vehicles. The programme also has a more festive side, with Radio FG DJ sets, evening laser shows combining music, lights and pyrotechnics, and the Tao Love Bus bringing live music aboard a vintage van.

For anyone visiting Paris this autumn, the show offers a chance to discover a different side of the city. After wandering the Tuileries where the story began, you can head across the capital to Porte de Versailles and see how that story is being rewritten for a new generation.

And there is a chance to experience it for yourself. Bonjour Paris readers can enter to win tickets to the 2026 Paris Motor Show.