Videos: hundreds of classic cars drive through Paris

Hundreds of vintage vehicles drove through Paris on Sunday (January 12) as part of a car rally through the capital. 

The 25th winter edition of the bi-annual Traversée de Paris event was organised by vintage vehicle owners association Vincennes en Anciennes.

The rally included around 700 vehicles, varying from army trucks, buses, and tractors, all sharing one trait in common – they were ‘classic’ vehicles (voitures de collection) over 30 years old.

The rally began in Vincennes in the morning, and saw vehicles cross through the city passing some of its most famous sites, including the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre and the Alexandre III bridge.

They returned back to the Parisian suburb at the end of the round-trip.

The videos and photos below show some of the vehicles in action. 

What classes as a vintage car? 

In France, cars that are at least 30 years old can be listed as voitures de collection if they fulfil certain other criteria (specific to the make and model of the car), have not had their chassis modified, and are no longer in production.

If deemed classic the vehicle benefits from a modified certificat d’immatriculation (vehicle registration, informally a carte grise), which in turn allows it to be exempt from certain requirements necessary for other cars.

This includes less frequent contrôle technique (roadworthiness) tests, as well as being able to drive through low-emissions zones (Zones à faibles émissions or ZFE) without restrictions. 

Read more: 2025 MAP: France’s new clean air driving zones and their rules

Our article below explains the process for owners to obtain classic car certification. 

Read more: What defines a classic car in France and what does it change?

Rules for vintage motorbikes are also the same, however exemption from roadworthy tests only applies to motorcycles manufactured prior to 1960.