AT FULL SPEED
The National Car Museum at the Château de Compiègne is the first museum in history dedicated to locomotion. It offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the concept of speed and explore its attraction for humans, from the early days of land transport to the present day.
The exhibition is on display within the castle itself, surrounded by royal and imperial decor. It presents some fifty horse-drawn vehicles and automobiles, cycles and a hundred prints, drawings, paintings and sculptures, from the museum's Roman tank to the latest record-breaking vehicles. Discover one of the wagons specially designed for Emperor Napoleon III. Supposedly, it was aboard this wagon on a journey between Marseille and Paris in 1855 that he became the first sovereign to reach 100 km/h aboard a train. Or admire the famous electric vehicle “La Jamais Contente”. In 1899, it became the first road vehicle to go over the symbolic 100 km/h limit.
Humanity's pursuit of speed has been present since the early equestrian races and took on a universal appeal with the 19th century and the industrial revolutions, illustrated later by international sporting competitions. The exhibition aims to trace the evolution of this concept and the subtle link it maintains with that of modernity. In each era, the limits of what is possible were pushed. Whether it be the horse-drawn vehicles of the 19th century, or the automobiles designed for rallies, racing or recordbreaking, all embody this need for speed.
The performances of both machines and drivers benefited the development of vehicles built for everyday use and inspired many designers. Aerodynamic efficiency and lightness reached a particular form of beauty, combining technical and human performance in a quest for the absolute.
The National Car Museum was created in 1927 at the initiative of the Touring Club de France and its vice-president Léon Auscher. It maintains an exceptional collection of horse-drawn vehicles dating from the 17th to the early 20th century, as well as cars, cycles and a collection of images on the theme of transport. The museum retraces the history of passenger transport, with a focus on the transition from animal traction to cars.
From December 9th, 2021 to March 28th, 2022.
Château de Compiègne
Place du Général de Gaulle, 60200 Compiègne
www.chateaudecompiegne.fr
This museum immerses visitors in the fascinating world of mother-of-pearl, in a region where it has been worked with for centuries. Until 2 January 2022, discover the exhibition “Shells, from science to kitsch”.
51 rue Roger Salengro, 60110 Méru www.musee-nacre.fr
PAVILLON DE MANSE
Discover the Pavillon de Manse — its hydraulic systems were once used to supply the Domaine de Chantilly with water. Over 300 years of history and hydraulic heritage that is unique in Europe.
34 rue des Cascades, 60500 Chantilly www.pavillondemanse.com
THE PEACE RING
This piece by visual artist Clara Halter was produced by the jeweller Mauboussin and erected for the centenary of the First World War. The patinated bronze ring is engraved with the word “peace” in gold, written in 52 different languages and calligraphy styles.
Clairière de l'armistice, 60200 Compiègne