Rétromobile 2026: Fifty Years at the Crossroads of Art, Memory, and Mechanics
- Gen de Art
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
This January, Paris once again became the world capital of automotive culture as Rétromobile celebrated its 50th anniversary — a landmark edition that reaffirmed the salon’s singular place at the intersection of history, design, performance, and art. More than a motor show, Rétromobile remains what it has always been: the ceremonial opening of the collector-car year, a gathering point for enthusiasts, manufacturers, collectors, and dreamers from across the globe.
Held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the anniversary edition unfolded with a sense of occasion that felt both measured and ambitious. Expectations were high, and the event met them with assurance. From rare pre-war automobiles to late-20th-century performance icons, the exhibition reaffirmed the principles that have shaped Rétromobile for five decades: excellence of selection, respect for heritage, and an ability to renew itself without losing identity.
A Vision Shaped by Passion
Presiding over this milestone year was Romain Grabowski, director of Rétromobile since 2022. His connection to the automobile is neither abstract nor strategic — it is deeply personal.
“I am a car guy. My background is cars, cars, and cars,” he says simply. Raised in a family steeped in motorsport, Grabowski grew up surrounded by engines and competition. His father, an amateur racing driver who took part in the Dakar and the French GT Championship, passed on a passion that would quietly shape his future. Business school followed, but the destination was always clear: the automotive world.
To oversee the fiftieth edition of Rétromobile, he explains, is both a professional achievement and a personal milestone — a chance to honor the culture that shaped him while guiding it forward.
The Enduring DNA of Rétromobile
What has always distinguished Rétromobile is its refusal to rely on spectacle alone. Its reputation rests on precision: the quality of the cars presented, the coherence of its curatorial vision, and its ability to evolve while remaining true to its foundations.
“This show is the kickoff of the year,” Grabowski notes. “Collectors from all over the world come here. It sets the rhythm.”
That responsibility was especially tangible in 2026. The anniversary edition offered a carefully composed panorama, from early automotive masterpieces to competition cars, motorcycles, and late-century icons. Among the most striking exhibits was the Bugatti Autorail — the sole surviving example of Ettore Bugatti’s experimental railcar. Its presence required months of preparation and logistical precision, emblematic of the ambition behind the show.
When the Automobile Becomes Art
The conceptual center of Rétromobile 2026 was undoubtedly the BMW Art Car exhibition, presented as part of the BMW Art Car World Tour. For the first time, seven of these legendary vehicles were brought together in a single space.
The project, initiated in 1975 by French racing driver and art patron Hervé Poulain, invited artists to transform racing cars into mobile works of art. These were not static objects, but machines built to compete — many at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — blurring the line between performance and artistic expression.
Their presence in Paris carried particular resonance. Poulain himself attended during the week, a reminder of the French origins of the concept. Displayed in Hall 7.2, the cars formed a striking dialogue between art, speed, and cultural ambition.
“They are not only cars,” Grabowski reflects. “They are a mix of art, culture, and automobile. That is why they belong here.”
A Market That Sets the Tone
Beyond its cultural dimension, Rétromobile remains a key reference point for the collector-car market. Five major auctions took place during the week, including an official sale held within the show itself. As ever, results in Paris offered early signals for the year ahead — in values, trends, and shifting tastes.
More than thirty manufacturers were also present, many using the occasion to reaffirm the link between heritage and innovation. Across the halls, the message was consistent: history is not a constraint, but a foundation on which to build.
A Global Horizon
The 50th anniversary also marked a new chapter in Rétromobile’s evolution. In 2026, the brand will extend beyond France with the launch of the first edition of Rétromobile New York. The move signals a growing international ambition — not to replicate the Paris event, but to export its curatorial philosophy and cultural perspective to a wider audience.
Paris remains the heart of Rétromobile, but its influence is now unmistakably global.
@ Rétromobile 2026