in France
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| Le Conservatoire
in France |
Many versions of old Citroens are preserved | The legendary 2CV | Citroen with half-tracks for expeditions |
Citroen's Le Conservatoire
Friday, January 04, 2002
Citroen is a brand with a rich and long heritage, with many innovations
throughout
its history. In order to ensure that this brand heritage is preserved properly,
the
company has established Le Conservatoire in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France. This
facility
houses more than 300 Citroen models, vast quantities of historical documents
(up
to 1,400 linear metres), and many souvenirs as well as other artifacts.
Unlike a traditional museum, Le Conservatoire is not open to the public.
Its purpose
is not to display Citroen's history to the public - there are many other
museums
doing that - but to provide a secure place to keep important items, especially
the
cars, of the company's history from its founding.
New items will be sent to Le Conservatoire continuously and according to
a Citroen
source, there is a steady flow of donations. Though not open to the public,
it will
still lend vehicles, when appropriate, to assist its business partners
who may wish
to have exhibitions or other activities.
ALL SIGNIFICANT MODELS
The vehicles housed in Le Conservatoire are, for the most part, definitive
versions
of the Citroen range offered since 1919. There are also variations of some
models
such as the Type A, 2CV, Traction Avant, SM and even the very first 5HPs
(in C2
and C3 versions of the time). All the models are stored in a temperature-controlled
section measuring 5,000 sq. metres.
Within the 6,500 sq. metre building is a section devoted to styling studies,
concept
cars and prototypes. This is an area which Citroen has often gained prominence
and the models cover the period between the two world wars.
Citroen has also been active in motorsports as well as expeditions. Half-tracked
models were used to make the first crossing of the Sahara Desert and expeditions
from Europe to China; such achievements helped build the Citroen legend.
There
are also the special ZX models which won the Rallye Raids which won several
world
championship titles and came first in the Paris-Dakar events five times.
In 500 sq. metres of the building are the archives where classification
of the
present materials - drawings, registers, economic data, etc - will take
at least two
years. There are many original drawings and deign drafts from the styling
department as well as registers of vehicle chassis numbers, including the
date of
manufacture. Accurate details of Citroen manufacturing have been kept since
1919
in the registers.
Advertising materials also document the company's history well and many
of these
are kept at Le Conservatoire. There are also old picture, films and even
the rare
books devoted to Andre Citroen and the brand he founded.
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| Part of the collection of over 300 models | DS was a major design revolution in 1950s | Citroen's prototype rotary engine | The Citroen Hippo showroom in earlier years |
Friday, January 04, 2002
OTHER BUILDINGS
The history of Citroen is also the history of its premises and buildings,
some of
which are still regarded as striking examples of urban architecture. These
historic
sites reflect Citroen's history, providing a link between past and present.
It was for this reason that Citroen's new head office, opened in 2001,
was built on
one of the company's historic sites. It is on the same land that was used
for the
old Epinettes factory which was opened in 1924 for the cold-stamping of
metal
parts. The siting of Le Conservatoire adjacent to the Aulnay-sous-Bois
plant carried
the same logic.
In the same context, Citroen also plans to renovate one of its most historic
and
prestigious sites at the world's biggest and most famous avenue - the avenue
des
Champs-Elysees. Currently, the site at number 42 avenue des Champs-Elysees
is
occupied by "Citroen Hippo" which will be fully converted and renovated.
Opened in 1928 and today covering an area of over 1,200 sq. metres, this
showroom has been a showcase for Citroen over the years. It will continue
to be
used for such a purpose and also serve as a forum through which the company
will
turn the spotlight on its creative talent, renewal and enthusiasm.
