The French Presidential Cars
- From 1955 to 2016 -
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- The French Presidential cars -
- From 1900 to 1955 -
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- From 1900 to 1955 -
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The President of the French Republic René COTY on board a Talbot Lago T26 of 1950
on May 08, 1955 during the celebration of the Armistice of 08/05/1945, place de l'Etoile in Paris
on May 08, 1955 during the celebration of the Armistice of 08/05/1945, place de l'Etoile in Paris
It was in 1954 that the President of the Republic René COTY (President from 1954 to 1959) decided that in order to welcome foreign heads of state in France with dignity, the Presidency should acquire a prestigious French limousine.
Citroën 15/6 H FRANAY of the President of the French Republic
The task is entrusted to the coachbuilder Marius FRANAY. He opted for the top of the range CITROËN of the time: the 15/6 H.
From this base, this one recovers the windshields and bumpers of FORD Comet, the rear window of a BUICK Roadmaster, of door handle of BENTLEY, of rear lights of CHEVROLET.
From this base, this one recovers the windshields and bumpers of FORD Comet, the rear window of a BUICK Roadmaster, of door handle of BENTLEY, of rear lights of CHEVROLET.
Citroën 15/6 H FRANAY waiting for a parade
The car is so heavy that the braking system is not powerful enough and imposes that the car runs only during parades...
It even broke down during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1957.
It even broke down during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1957.
The President of the French Republic Charles de Gaulle returning to the Elysée, Presidential house,
in Citroën 15/6 H FRANAY on 19/05/1968
in Citroën 15/6 H FRANAY on 19/05/1968
It was modified however and will be used under the French Presidencies of DE GAULLE and POMPIDOU.
The outgoing President René COTY next to the new President De Gaulle
in the courtyard of the Elysée aboard the Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON
during the transfer of power on 08/01/59
in the courtyard of the Elysée aboard the Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON
during the transfer of power on 08/01/59
René COTY asks in 1956 for another presidential sedan but which is convertible.
The Citroën Presidential 15/6 H FRANAY and CHAPRON
The coachbuilder FRANAY having gone bankrupt, it is to the coachbuilder CHAPRON to whom will be entrusted this task. From a 15/6 H, this one will elaborate a cabriolet.
The President René COTY and the Queen Elizabeth II of England on board
of the presidential Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON during the visit of this one in April 1957
of the presidential Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON during the visit of this one in April 1957
The Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON was also used during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in April 1957.
French President De GAULLE and his French Prime Minister POMPIDOU in a Citroen 15/6 H Chapron
The fact that this car is convertible allows the crowd to see the President's guest and himself parading on the main Parisian boulevards during their visits...
General de Gaulle leaving the Elysee Palace in a DS 19
Note that General de Gaulle (President from 1959 to 1969) loved to travel in Citroën DS.
The Presidential Travels
of General De GAULLE
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of General De GAULLE
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DS 19 Presidential with hood
He ordered one in 1962 with a soft top.
The French President of the Republic De Gaulle during a visit to the provinces on board a DS19
This allowed him to greet the crowd during a trip to the provinces...
Citroën DS 19 during a visit in province
Moments that the General liked...
The President of the Republic De Gaulle during a visit to the provinces on board a DS19
Once finished, he could then go to a new destination by putting the top back on.
Black Citroën DS 19 "Préfecture" version - 1959For the processions, they have the possibility to receive special lights fixed on the central body pillars between the front and rear doors.
Black Citroën DS "Prefecture" version behind the car of President De GAULLE in 1963 at Isle sur Suippe
The processions are usually opened by police motorcyclists and the DS are driven by police officers selected for this task. The cars of the French presidency will be maintained in the garages of the prefecture of police until the arrival of French President Mitterrand.
Citroën DS 19 during a visit of General de GAULLE on the African continent
During visits in foreign countries, it happened that a DS coming from France or from the local French Ambassador was used.
RAMBLER CHAPRON
Here is the RAMBLER CHAPRON (Rambler being the brand of RENAULT for the USA) which was presented to General de Gaulle in 1963. Here is on this link the reasons why the General de Gaulle refused to get into this car
On this link, you can find many anecdotes about the license plates of French presidential cars as for example the introduction of the famous series of - 500 PR 75 - It is indeed to register presidential vehicles with a number between1 and 500 PR 75 which are recorded in a separate register from the rest of the series PR 75 (the numbering of the department thus goes directly from 9999 PQ 75 to 501 PR 75).
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DS 21 Présidential
General De GAULLE ordered a ceremonial car to replace the 15/6 H FRANAY model. Affectionate to the DS, the coachbuilder CHAPRON, still him, proposes the DS 21 Presidential.
Citroën DS 21 Presidential during a 14 July, early 70's
However, it took three years for the model to be realized. It made its first turns of wheels in 1968. Once again, it was the top of the range model from CITROËN that was chosen.
DS 21 Presidential in front of the Grille du Coq where the Elysée french Palace Park is located
However, the measures were gigantic: 6.53 meters long (against 4.8 meters for the original DS 21) and 2.13 meters wide, with a height of 1.79 meters.
Arrival of President POMPIDOU at an Agricultural Show in Paris, early 1970s
This presidential limousine was little used, because the period of May 68 had passed by. And President POMPIDOU did not like it, preferring the classic DS to go to the provinces.
President POMPIDOU on board the 15/6 Chapron in Ajaccio, Corsica
during the celebrations of the Bicentenary of Napoleon on 15/08/1969 
during the celebrations of the Bicentenary of Napoleon on 15/08/1969
The successor of General De Gaulle, the French President of the Republic Georges POMPIDOU (President from 1969 to 1974), also used, during official ceremonies, the Citroën 15/6 CHAPRON.
The Citroën 15/6 H CHAPRON and the SM CHAPRON Présidential
In 1972, France was to welcome on its territory the Queen Elizabeth II of England. In the autumn of 1971, the newly elected French President Georges POMPIDOU ordered a presidential sedan from CITROËN.The brand with the chevrons turned to the coachbuilder Henri CHAPRON, from whom France had already ordered a Citroën 15/6 H convertible and a DS 21.
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Queen Elizabeth II and French President POMPIDOU on board the SM CHAPRON Présidentielle in May 1972
He proposes to take an SM Opera with an extended rear overhang and a length increased to 5.60 meters. This one will be discoverable.
And during the visit in May 1972 of the Queen Elizabeth II, this one parades at the side of the French President of the Republic Georges POMPIDOU on the Champs Elysées...
And during the visit in May 1972 of the Queen Elizabeth II, this one parades at the side of the French President of the Republic Georges POMPIDOU on the Champs Elysées...
President François Mitterrand during his inauguration in 1981
in a SM CHAPRON Presidential going up the Champs Elysées
Three examples were produced, two of which were delivered to the Elysée Palace.in a SM CHAPRON Presidential going up the Champs Elysées
The two successive Presidents of the French Republic will also choose this SM CHAPRON Presidential on the day of their inauguration.
President François Mitterrand leaving the Elysée Park through the Grille du Coq
in 1981 during his investiture to the Presidency
One can see on this photograph, a Citroën CX of the Presidential Park and the SM CHAPRON Presidential where the new French President of the Republic of the time, a certain François MITTERRAND, is standing.
One can see on this photograph, a Citroën CX of the Presidential Park and the SM CHAPRON Presidential where the new French President of the Republic of the time, a certain François MITTERRAND, is standing.
President Jacques CHIRAC during his inauguration in 1995 in a SM CHAPRON Presidential driving up the Champs Elysées in PARIS
And here, the President of the Republic Jacques CHIRAC in 1995..
Video during the investiture of Jacques CHIRAC
It was also used during the visit of the Pope Jean Paul II in France on May 31, 1980.
Video of the visit of Pope John Paul II in a Presidential SM
DS 23 IE PALLAS Presidential
In 1974, French President Valéry GISCARD D'ESTAING (President from 1974 to 1981) will use Citroën DS 23 for trips in the provinces or to government buildings.
Several Citroën DS 23 in the courtyard of the Elysée, French Presidential House, in the middle of the 70s
These cars were also used for receptions of foreign delegations. 
Several Citroën DS 23 in the courtyard of the Elysée, French Presidential House, in the middle of the 70s
And thus showed the French know-how.
A CX 25 Prestige in the courtyard of the Elysée
They will be replaced towards the end of the 70s by Citroën CX 25 Prestige.
CX 25 Prestige near the Rond Point des Champs Elysée
for the celebration of the Armistice on 11/11/1977
They were used as well for the movements of the President as for official ceremonies.
for the celebration of the Armistice on 11/11/1977
They were used as well for the movements of the President as for official ceremonies.
The coachbuilder CHAPRON, still him, will even propose at the end of 1980, with the approach of the French Presidentials of 1981, a model découvrable, but which will not be used by the Presidency of the Republic...
CX 25 Prestige CHAPRON Landaulet 1981
This model was nevertheless built in three copies: One in 1978 for the Algerian President BOUMEDIENNE, another in 1980 for the Paris Motor Show and a third at the request of Citroën and used especially in Luxembourg in 1981 and 1982 for parades.
PEUGEOT will deliver PEUGEOT 604 CHAPRON LANDAULET.
President Jimmy CARTER during his visit in Paris on 06/01/1978 on board a 604 CHAPRON LANDAULET Presidential
This model is based on a Peugeot 604 SL with a wheelbase extended by 20 cm.But they will not seduce the Elysée which will use them very little.
During the two septennates of François MITTERRAND (President from 1981 to 1995), one will distinguish more Renault, for the main part of the Renault R25.
A R25 Presidential
Indeed, the brand with the diamond having the preference of the President of the time, this one equipped many ministries.
Citroën XM Presidential in the Prime Minister's court
There will be some CITROËN models at the end of the 80's with Citroën XM, but they will not represent a large part of the government vehicles.
Departure of F. MITTERRAND in 1995 during the handing over of power with the previous J.CHIRAC
Small wink: when there was the transfer of power between the new French President Jacques CHIRAC and the former President François MITTERRAND, this one left in Citroën XM....
Citroën XM V6 Turbo Limousine Palace
In spite of everything, CITROËN did not disarm and proposed the Citroën XM Limousine Palace which it presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1992.
Citroën XM V6 Turbo Limousine Palace
In 1995, it was repainted in metallic blue and served as official car to French President Jacques CHIRAC (President from 1995 to 2007) on January 15, 1996 to visit the HEULIEZ factories. But this remained a dead letter to the manufacturer as a presidential vehicle...
Renault SAFRANE Baccara
Under the mandate of Jacques CHIRAC, Renault continued to deliver ministerial cars, as well as to the French President of the Republic.
Citroën C6 Presidential
However CITROËN will return as official car with its model C6.
It was put in service on July 14, 2005.
Citroën C6 Presidential in the court of honor of the Elysee French Presidency Palace
They will be used at the time of official visits of French Presidents CHIRAC, SARKOZY, HOLLANDE and MACRON in province, like as ministerial car, of embassy and for certain prefects.
Citroen C6 Presidential in the court of honor of the Elysee Palace
However the Citroën C6 model was not a commercial success.
Arrival of the President Jacques CHIRAC on board a Citroen C6 Presidential
Indeed, only 23.421 copies will be sold in 7 years...
Parade during the election of Nicola SARKOZY in 2007 in 607 Paladine
During the investiture of the President of the Republic, Nicolas SARKOZY (President from 2007 to 2012), in 2007, he went down the Champs Elysées on board a Peugeot 607 PALADINE.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
This model presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000 by the lion brand had not been ordered by any country.Hence the idea to propose it to the new President of the French Republic.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
The originality of its retractable roof made it a car that could be transformed into a limousine.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
This one will not be kept by the French Presidency of the Republic.
Peugeot 607 Paladine
It is currently in the Museum of the Adventure PEUGEOT in Sochaux in France.
Renault VEL SATIS Presidential
President Sarkozy on the road in the Presidential VEL SATIS
This fully armored car will be used in his numerous trips to the provinces.
The french President of the Republic Nicolas SARKOZY will opt again for the brand with the diamond with a Renault VEL SATIS.
The Chinese President Hu Jin Tao in the Presidential VEL SATIS in 11/2010
It will also be used during state visits as here with the Chinese President Hu Jin Tao in November 2010.
It will also be used during state visits as here with the Chinese President Hu Jin Tao in November 2010.
French Renault Vel Satis Presidential in the provinces in 2019
The Renault Vel Satis Presidential delivered under the presidency of President Sarkozy is still used in 2020.
DS5 Presidential hybrid on May 15, 2012 It is in 2012 that CITROËN returns as a presidential car to parade on the Champs Elysees with a convertible model that allowed the President of the French Republic François HOLLANDE (President from 2012 to 2017) to stand.
President François HOLLANDE returning to the Elysee Palace aboard the DS5 Presidential
Note that this car is hybrid with its thermal and electric engine.
Video of the inauguration of F.HOLLANDE in DS5 in 2012
Parade of President E. MACRON from the Arc de Triomphe on the day of his inauguration
then with the Citroën DS7 Crossback in 2017 during the election of French President Emmanuel MACRON (President from 2017 to 2022)
Video DS7 Crossback Presidential
DS7 Crossback in the courtyard of the French Embassy in the UK
This car has moreover become the vehicle of travel for French ambassadors in the countries where they officiate.
President Macron on board the Peugeot 5008 Presidential during the 14/07/2017
We will also note the great return of PEUGEOT with a PEUGEOT 5008 Presidential in 2017.
Peugeot 5008 Presidential
It was armored in the French factory of the company CENTIGON. 
Renault ESPACE PresidentialAlso back from Renault with its RENAULT ESPACE Presidential
under the link below:
Ascent of the Champs Elysees of President Nicolas SARKOZY during his election in 2007
You may have noticed a large number of motorcyclists during the movements of presidential cars and this, from 1935. The reason is an immediate protection against the risk of a terrorist act or of an unbalanced person who would approach the Presidential Car. In fact, the assassination of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia in FRANCE, in the city of MARSEILLE, on October 09, 1934, showed the risk of bad protections around the Car.
Departure of the car of King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia in the streets of Marseille on 09/10/1934
Back on this assassination to understand:
It was agreed that King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia parade, before leaving by train to PARIS, in several streets of MARSEILLE, on board a car with the back opened to be seen by the crowd, but also by the reporters, photographers and cameramen.
Departure of the car of King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia in the streets of Marseille on 09/10/1934
Initially planned with an escort of policemen on bicycles around the car, it was decided that two officers, with clear swords, would escort the car...
Departure of the car of King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia in the streets of Marseille on 09/10/1934
But hardly had he gone 200 meters, when a man came out of the crowd and fired a dozen bullets inside the King's Car killing him on the spot and mortally wounding the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis BARTHOU.
Shooter on the running board of the car of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia
When the cameramen are filming, the shooter has already fired. The officer on horseback on the right will arrive too late. Only the driver of the car on the right will have time to hold the shooter from inside the car as can be seen on this picture...
Shooter on the running board of the car of King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia
The officer will still shoot the gunman.
Shooter on the running board of the car of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia
Before the policemen stop him.
Departure of the car of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia after the shooting
But it was too late. Armed with a MAUSER semi-automatic pistol of 10 shots, this one allowed the assailant to shoot in burst in the car...
King Alexander 1st of Yugoslavia in the foreground and the Minister Louis BARTHOU
At that time, there were important risks of attack against this King...Several mistakes were made:
1- A convertible car was easier for a killer to aim at his target
2- The windows of the car were lowered, which allowed the assailant to climb on the running board of the car and to spray the back of the car with his 10-shot pistol more easily...
3- Twelve police cyclists were supposed to surround the car and were replaced by two officers on horseback...
Here is a video of the time presenting this drama.
Presidential Citroën DS 21 during a July 14th, early 70's
Here is more information on this principle:
The
threat can, for several years, arrive from the air with one or more
drones, as seen above in this video during a speech by a Venezuelan
president in 2018.
For this measures are taken in advance with jammers and observers.
For this measures are taken in advance with jammers and observers.
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