For its 35th edition, the Tour Auto is taking a new trajectory. This year, the prestigious vintage car race is abandoning its usual routes to head to the French southwest. 260 vintage automobiles take part.
Eleven Ferrari 250s, legend of Maranello, are the undisputed stars. The Tour Auto, since its launch in 1992, has established itself as one of the most prestigious car rally events in Europe. Much more than a simple competition, the event was constructed as a celebration of world automotive heritage and an affirmation of French culture around engines and mechanics.
Each year, the event brings together experienced drivers, passionate collectors and enthusiasts of automotive prestige who consider participation in the Tour Auto as validation of their commitment to motorized heritage. The race has always been part of a serious sporting challenge: it is not simply a question of crossing France in a vintage car, but of doing so while respecting a strict timetable, precise stages, and rigorous sporting criteria. This 2026 edition marks a significant turning point in the history of the event.
According to L'Équipe, this 35th edition introduces a major geographical change in the route of the event. Departing Paris on Tuesday morning, the route crosses France towards the southwest, with a final arrival judged in Biarritz on Saturday. This new orientation explores in depth the roads of southwest France, offering drivers and spectators a rich rediscovery of the landscapes of New Aquitaine and the Basque Country.
The 260 cars entered in the different categories reflect the diversity of classic automobile heritage: sedans from the 1950s, British coupes, Italian and French sports cars, each carrying its own particular history. This diversity is not cosmetic; it is a testament to the depth of global automotive passion and how exceptional machines continue to bring generations together. The choice of the southwest as a destination, far from the usual Parisian and peripheral routes, broadens the spectrum of this event and positions it as an affirmation of French heritage wealth beyond urban centers.
At the heart of this 2026 edition is the Ferrari 250, one of the most revered automobiles in the history of motorsport. Eleven examples of this legendary Maranello machine are taking part in the Tour Auto, positioning the Ferrari 250 as the undisputed star of the event. This honor is not bestowed lightly.
The Ferrari 250, particularly in its Grand Turismo variant, represents a golden period of motorsport: one where mechanical innovation rubbed shoulders with design elegance, where sculpted curves expressed raw performance, and where racing teams wrote legendary epics on European circuits. The celebration of these eleven Ferrari 250s reminds us that automobile heritage is not only measured in number, but in density of history and symbolic weight. Each preserved and rolling example represents decades of restoration work, inexhaustible passion, and dedication to fine mechanics.
For collectors and enthusiasts present at the Tour Auto, driving alongside these legends means participating in an act of passing on know-how that future generations will also discover on these roads. This 2026 edition of the Tour Auto marks a decisive moment for French classic automobile culture. It demonstrates that motorized heritage is not limited to the peripheral districts of Île-de-France nor to the usual road circuits, but flourishes in a diversity of regions and contexts.
By celebrating the Ferrari 250, the event highlights the critical importance of preserving and sharing the history of motorsport, a living legacy represented by the drivers, mechanics, builders and visionaries who have shaped the field. For France, it is also a cultural affirmation of important symbolic significance: to welcome one of the most famous automobiles in the world on its own roads, from the southwest to Biarritz, is to recognize its place not only in the history of motorsport, but also in the global conversation around what it means to preserve a technological and artistic heritage. This renewed visibility of the Tour Auto and its participants can inspire a new generation to value old machines, not as relics but as living objects full of meaning.
The Tour Auto begins Tuesday morning with the departure from Paris. Over four days, the participants will cross the southwest of France following a precise itinerary, with imposed stages and strict sporting criteria, until Saturday with the final arrival in Biarritz. For spectators and classic rally enthusiasts, the event promises an immersive experience where tradition, competition and discovery of French heritage intertwine.
The roads of the southwest will see 260 prestigious automobiles parade, creating an impressive and nostalgic road spectacle. The organizers expect a significant mobilization of the regional and national public, particularly around the celebration of the Ferrari 250. Read at L'Équipe
Why this matters
This geographic repositioning and celebration of the Ferrari 250 marks an important moment for classic French automobile culture. The Tour Auto, since 1992, has established itself as one of the most prestigious car rally events in Europe. This 2026 edition affirms that French motorized heritage flourishes well beyond the usual peripheral roads, celebrating a rich heritage and geographical beauty in the southwest. For collectors, enthusiasts and future generations, this event embodies the importance of keeping motorsport history alive.
Frequently asked
What is the Auto Tour?
The Tour Auto is a prestigious race dedicated to classic and vintage automobiles, organized since 1992. It is one of the most prestigious car rally events in Europe. Each year, the event brings together hundreds of heritage cars and their drivers to cross France along a specific route, combining sporting competition and celebration of automotive heritage.
Why is this year celebrating the Ferrari 250?
The Ferrari 250, particularly its Grand Turismo variant, represents a golden period of motorsport, a symbol of mechanical innovation and elegance. Eleven examples of this legendary machine from Maranello are participating in the Tour Auto 2026. This choice to feature these machines embodies the Tour Auto's commitment to celebrating essential automotive icons and perpetuating their history for current and future generations.
What is the new route for the Tour Auto 2026?
For this 35th edition, the Tour Auto is taking a new route: departure from Paris Tuesday morning, crossing the southwest of France, and final arrival judged in Biarritz on Saturday. This orientation explores in depth the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Basque Country, offering participants and spectators a rediscovery of exceptional French landscapes while maintaining the competitive rigor of the event.
How many cars are participating in the 2026 Tour Auto?
260 vintage automobiles are entered in the different categories of the Tour Auto 2026. They represent a remarkable diversity of classic automobile heritage: sedans from the 1950s, British coupes, Italian and French sports cars. Eleven Ferrari 250s occupy the place of honor among these 260 exceptional participants.
