Musée automobile de Vendée

About the museum

The Musée automobile de Vendée is the result of the Giron family’s passion for vintage vehicles. The founder, born at the beginning of the 20th century, learned mechanics at the age of twelve, opened a garage in Vendée in 1929, and then specialized in used cars in Paris. In 1939 he bought a 1910 Peugeot to save it from the scrapyard, and from 1950 he gathered other old cars around the family home, near Nantes.

In spring 1967 the family presented a first exhibition of thirty cars to the public. The collection grew quickly, and the family returned to Vendée to open the museum in April 1976, near Les Sables-d'Olonne, with eighty cars.

Today the museum occupies a 3,300 m² hall and displays more than 150 vehicles: cars, motorcycles and bicycles, along with an important collection of vintage posters. Some 45 makes are represented, from a steam-powered De Dion-Bouton of 1885 to prototypes of the future from Italy. Each year, three or four models taken out of storage and restored during the winter join the display. Several of the cars on show have taken part in national and international rallies.

Highlights

• More than 150 vehicles across 3,300 m²: cars, motorcycles and bicycles
• Some 45 makes, from a steam-powered De Dion-Bouton of 1885 to prototypes
• Cars that took part in major rallies, such as Paris-Barcelona-Monte-Carlo
• Important collection of vintage posters
• Three or four newly restored models each year

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente de véhicules anciens – More than 150 cars, motorcycles and bicycles from about 45 makes, displayed in a 3,300 m² hall with posters and period accessories.

Founded

1976

Admission & discounts

2026 rates for individual visits. Holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances) are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the reception, the shop and the inside of the site for visitors with reduced mobility; restrooms to standard; 4 reserved parking spaces. Animals are not allowed.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Route départementale 949 (Route des Sables), between Talmont-Saint-Hilaire and Les Sables-d'Olonne.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Bar and ice cream on site, souvenir shop with a vehicle catalog and miniatures. Restaurants can be found in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, 3 km away. Picnic area next to the car park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit