Tour Auto: Luxury, Performance, and Automotive Heritage

The Tour Auto is much more than just an automotive event. Every year, it gathers enthusiasts of classic cars and historic racing from all over the world to experience a unique adventure, blending competition, conviviality, and the discovery of exceptional landscapes 🤩

Organized by Peter Auto, a specialist in historic automotive events, this prestigious rally embodies both a passion for automotive history and the French art of living 👌

The Heritage of the Tour de France Automobile: The Tour Auto

The Tour Auto continues the legacy of the Tour de France Automobile, an event created in 1899, which is considered the oldest competition still active today. Combining road and circuit stages from the very beginning, this event quickly became an institution.

In the 1960s, the Tour de France Automobile reached its peak: ten days of competition where the biggest brands and the best drivers competed in a vibrant atmosphere 🎉

After a pause in 1965, the event experienced a revival under the impetus of Bernard Consten, five-time winner and president of the FFSA. In 1969, he relaunched the race by including iconic models such as the Matra MS650 and Ferrari 512 M (see photo below). These cars left a lasting impression before prototypes were permanently banned in 1972 for safety and fairness reasons.

Despite this revival, the economic constraints of the 1980s, combined with the oil crisis, made organizing the event increasingly difficult. These challenges ultimately marked the end of the modern Tour de France Automobile, with its final edition held in 1986.

In 1992, Patrick Peter revived the event under the name Tour Auto, this time as a historic rally reserved for cars that participated in the original event between 1951 and 1973. Since then, this event has become a global reference in the world of historic competitions 👍

Each year, it gathers around 240 teams who travel through France in carefully selected cars, embodying the spirit of excellence and diversity that defines this event.

Tour Auto: Rules, Categories, and Detailed Format

The Tour Auto takes place over six days, including five racing days, with a new route each year and a finish in a different city. Between stages, long connections are necessary to link the various locations, adding an element of endurance and logistics for the teams.

🏁 Participants alternate between two types of events:

• Timed stages on closed roads, where drivers test their technical skills and the performance of their cars.
• Races on circuits, which immerse participants in the atmosphere of historic competitions.

📃 The teams are divided into two main categories, distinguished by the color of their numbers:

• Competition (black numbers ⚫ from 150 to 299)
• Regularity (red numbers 🔴 from 1 to 149)

Regularity Category

In the Regularity category, the goal is not pure speed but to maintain a predefined average for each stage ⏱️

Teams must maintain this speed as accurately as possible, relying only on original tools integrated into their car's dashboard. Distance and time calculations are performed using two mechanical stopwatches, without any electronic assistance.

Three average speed levels are offered: fast, medium, or slow, allowing vehicles with very diverse characteristics to participate. This category highlights authenticity and accessibility, with cars often very close to their original configuration, such as this charming Fiat 600 pictured below 🥰

Competition Category

In the Competition category, participants aim for the best times, whether on closed road stages or circuits. Rankings are then established based on the age and performance of the vehicles, ensuring fair comparisons. The main subcategories include:

• VHC (Historic Competition Vehicles): models built before 1966.
• Groups G, H, and I: vehicles produced between 1966 and 1981, divided into specific year ranges.
• Performance Index: times are weighted based on the engine displacement and age of the cars, offering a fair opportunity for older or less powerful vehicles to stand out.

The Tour Auto attracts teams from all over the world, including amateur drivers and former professionals. Each stage, whether a race or a liaison, is a true challenge, combining precision, endurance, and passion for historic cars.

Tour Auto 2025: Route and Key Stages

Each edition of the Tour Auto offers a unique route, blending country roads, picturesque village crossings, and iconic circuits.

For the 2025 edition, taking place from April 7 to 12, teams will cover 2,200 kilometers, mainly in eastern France. The adventure will begin with a car exhibition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on April 6 and 7. This will be an opportunity for the public to admire the registered vehicles before participants proceed to technical and administrative checks, where they will receive their roadbooks, race plates, and numbers.

The official start will be given on Tuesday, April 8 from the majestic Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a prestigious setting that marks the beginning of this exceptional journey.

Throughout the stages, teams will pass through cities like Dijon, Mulhouse, Clermont-Ferrand, and Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, before concluding their journey on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, a perfect setting for a memorable finish 😎

As with every year, around ten timed special stages will be held on closed roads, with routes kept secret until the day before they take place 😉

In addition to the liaisons and timed stages, competitors will participate in events on iconic circuits:

• Dijon-Prenois (April 8)
• Anneau du Rhin and Bresse (April 9)
• Charade (April 10)

The Cars of the Tour Auto: A True Rolling Heritage

The Tour Auto is, above all, a celebration of automotive heritage, showcasing classic cars and historic competition vehicles (VHC) that left their mark between 1951 and 1973.

Accepted models must meet strict criteria, and the selected cars, meticulously restored, each tell a unique story. A selection committee ensures a diverse lineup, prioritizing a variety of brands and models that represent their era. Special attention is given to quickly submitted applications, as well as rare models or those of particular interest.

The complete list of eligible cars for the Tour Auto can be viewed here: Eligible Models for the Tour Auto (2025 List) 📋

Among the iconic brands featured are Ferrari, with models such as the 250 GT Lusso; Jaguar, including the legendary E-Type; and Porsche, showcasing vintage 911 models as well as the striking Shelby Cobra 😍

Rarer brands, such as Alpine or Lancia, add richness to the lineup and a touch of originality. The 2025 edition will also celebrate several anniversaries, including the 70th anniversary of the Alpine A106, as shown in the photo below.

Each year, a brand or model is given special recognition. In 2025, it will be the Lancia Stratos that takes center stage, paying tribute to one of the icons of motorsport 💪

Tour Auto Winners: The Most Victorious Models

Since the revival of the Tour Auto in 1992, certain models have stood out for their consistency and performance, becoming key references in their respective categories 🏆

In the Competition category, the AC Cobra 289 leads the scoreboard with 8 victories, showcasing its effectiveness on both circuits and special stages. Its power and agility make it a formidable machine, capable of adapting to all types of courses.

The Lotus Elan, with 7 wins, has made its mark thanks to its lightweight design and balanced chassis, key assets on technical tracks. It excels particularly in tight special stages where maneuverability outweighs pure speed. Meanwhile, the Ford GT 40, also with 7 victories, dominates circuits with its speed and stability, reaffirming its legendary status in motorsport.

In the Regularity category, where precision and consistency are critical, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso leads with 4 wins. Its reliability and ability to maintain a precise average speed have made it a standout in this demanding discipline.

The Ferrari 365 GTB/4, with 3 victories, showcased its performance thanks to its controlled power and adaptability to various challenges. Finally, the Ford Mustang, also a triple winner, leveraged its versatility and robustness to shine across multiple editions.

These models, with their unique qualities, illustrate the rigor and diversity that define the richness of the Tour Auto. Their recurring presence on the podiums reflects their excellence and ability to meet the challenges of this legendary competition 🙂

Tour Auto: Budget and Detailed Participation Costs

Participating in the Tour Auto is a significant investment but well worth the exceptional experience it providesThe registration fee is €13,700. It includes five nights’ accommodation, meals for two people, and all the services required for the smooth running of the event, from departure to the final brunch.

Additional expenses should also be anticipated. Preparing or renting a historic car can represent a significant portion of the overall budget, as can transporting it to the event location. It is possible to handle technical assistance yourself or with your own team to cover the 2,200 kilometers of the route, but for optimal conditions, a crew wishing to entrust this assistance to a specialized team should budget around €6,000. Finally, a license or a participation permit is required to take the start.

Looking for a car to participate in the Tour Auto? Check out the classifieds, where vehicles are available for both sale and rental 😉

For enthusiasts, these costs are often seen not as mere expenses but as the price of a unique adventure. The Tour Auto, with its blend of competition, luxury, and discovery, is far more than a race: it’s an immersion into automotive history, at the heart of an event where prestige and passion converge.

The Organization of the Tour Auto: A Logistical Challenge for a Prestigious Event

Organizing the Tour Auto is not merely about coordinating a car race; it’s about tackling a large-scale logistical challenge befitting the prestige of this unique event. Each year, Peter Auto mobilizes impressive resources to ensure an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike 💪

With 240 cars in the race, 100 support vehicles, and 80 organizational vehicles, the Tour Auto gathers over 800 people across the 2,200 kilometers of its route. The organizational team, made up of 140 people and 80 officials, orchestrates this event with meticulous attention to detail: securing roads, setting up paddocks, and coordinating the stages.

Selected hotels host the participants and technical teams in over 700 rooms, serving approximately 2,000 meals daily. These facilities ensure comfort that meets the high standards associated with the Tour Auto.

The public is not left out, with over 100,000 spectators lining the roads to admire the historic cars in action. Accessible paddocks offer a unique opportunity to get close to these exceptional vehicles and engage with their owners or drivers. This blend of competition, camaraderie, and automotive heritage also attracts more than 250 journalists and photographers from a dozen nationalities to cover the event.

The Tour Auto represents far more than a race: it is a collective feat, bringing together enthusiasts from 25 nationalities, with a majority of participants from France (68%), but also teams from Argentina, the United States, Europe, and Asia 🌍

A Unique Atmosphere: Between Competition, Glamour, and Camaraderie

What sets the Tour Auto apart is the atmosphere that pervades the entire event. On the roads and circuits, the rivalry is tangible, with every team striving to excel. Yet, once the racing day ends, a spirit of camaraderie takes over. Participants gather in prestigious venues to relax, share anecdotes, and celebrate their shared passion for historic cars ☺️

The Tour Auto also stands out for its accessibility. Unlike other competitions that often remain very exclusive, this event welcomes the public with open arms. The paddocks, starting lines, and finishes in the host cities, along with free exhibitions, allow thousands of spectators to get up close to these mechanical treasures. This unique interaction between teams and the public reinforces the warm and inclusive nature of the Tour.

Add to this a touch of glamour, with the presence of personalities from various walks of life. Actors, artists, and enthusiasts, such as Maëva Coucke (Miss France), Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), or Guy Berryman (Coldplay), bring a media-friendly and elegant dimension to the event, contributing to its international renown.

A Celebration of Cars and French Culture

Every stage of the Tour Auto is a true celebration, bringing together amateurs, professionals, and enthusiasts amidst French landscapes and exceptional automotive heritage. By showcasing legendary cars and welcoming teams from around the globe, this event plays a crucial role in preserving automotive history while sparking interest among new generations in this captivating world.

This unique mix of competition, camaraderie, and discovery makes this event an unforgettable experience. With international media coverage each year, it helps to promote French automotive heritage worldwide.

More than just a race, the Tour Auto is a journey through time, a meeting of luxury and performance, and a celebration of cars in all their forms 🎉

Would you like to register for the Tour Auto? Check the regulations? Find all the information on Peter Auto's official website 😉