Do you like cars? Especially the shiny ones, the fast ones and the prototype ones? Then come and drool at the biggest, most popular motor show on the planet…


Personally, I think that Paris is a silly place for cars. The city’s so compact and the public transport system so well organised that most people could really do without a car. And it’s difficult to find a parking space. And petrol costs a fortune. And there are Vélib bikes you can use for a lot cheaper. But – hey! – I’m ranting.

A lot of people don’t just like cars, they worship cars, and even I have to admit that when you need to go to Ikea to buy furniture, they can come in rather handy. So, for all those who are not really worried about fossil fuels running out, the countryside being progressively turned into one huge motorway, or the shocking amount of excess CO² in the air, slowly burning a hole through the ozone and frying all humanity, the 2008 Paris Motor Show is for you!

photo by Tonio Vega used under cc licence

From 4th – 19th October 2008 over 500 different makes will be showing off their latest products – many for the first time – in the most important show of its kind in the world. There will also be plenty of free fun for visitors (or so the site says), including an off-road track, an indoor electric karting track and a special exhibition about, er, taxis from all over the world. Unmissable!

The show takes up almost all Porte de Versailles trade fair halls and is absolutely enormous, so make sure you’ve had a good rest before going. Perhaps they can lend you a bike to cycle round it? 😉

(By the way, the show is bi-annual, so if you miss it this year you’ll have to wait until 2010! Cripes!)

Here’s all the essential information for the 2008 Paris Motor Show

When: 4th – 19th October 2008
Where: Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles, Paris 15th arrondissement. Métro Porte de Versailles (line 12), tramway line T3, stop Porte de Versailles, bus n°s 39 & 80
Opening hours: Tuesdays – Fridays 10am – 10pm, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10am – 8pm
Admission: adults 12 euros, concessions 6 euros, children under 10 go free
More info: on the official site

Bigger map here