Last Updated on 11th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
The Citroën 2CV (short for Deux Chevaux, i.e. two horsepower) is the iconic French car and makes for a great vehicle in which to discover Paris. Here’s what it’s like to embark on a tour around Paris in a Citroën 2CV, as well as how to book this unique, unforgettable, and off the beaten path French experience for yourself!
In production between 1948-1990, eventually, over 3.8 million of these cars were produced. Today, these classic cars are the perfect way to experience Paris from a new perspective.
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A brief history of the Citroën 2CV in Paris
The idea for the Deux Chevaux was originally conceived in 1930s France when many farmers, as well as the general rural French population still couldn’t afford cars.
The idea was that an “umbrella on four wheels” would be produced, which would allow for four people to easily transport an extra 50 KG at 30 MPH (around 50 KMPH) so as to reach their desired destination, which was quite likely the local market.
However, the Second World War halted production of the 2CV, thus meaning that the car was not unveiled to the public until the late 1940s when the Citroën 2CV was revealed at the Paris Salon in 1948.
The following year, the car was sold commercially, and the following few decades saw a sharp rise in the number of sales, thus cementing the status of the Citroën as a classic car favourite.
Book your Paris City Tour in a Citroën 2CV
45 minute Private and Personalised Paris Tour in a Citroën 2CV
Incredibly well-reviewed, this personalised classic car tour of Paris allows you to create your dream itinerary. Whether you want to see Champs-Élysées, be dazzled by the Eiffel Tower, or simply check out the Louvre, this tour even allows you to choose the colour of your 2CV. Check prices and availability here.
1-Hour Vintage Citroen 2CV Tour
This quick whistle-stop tour of Paris comprises of many of the City of Light’s most famous attractions. En route, you’ll soon spy Avenue des Champs Elysée, Place Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, and Trocadéro, to the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Pont Alexandre III if you so desire. Check prices and availability here.
2-hour Classic Sites Tour by Vintage Citroen 2CV
If you have a little longer to enjoy the city, then you might consider booking a tour hour drive around the City of Love. Explore the Left Bank, pass by Notre Dame Cathedral, enjoy the village vibe of Montmartre, and see the medieval streets of Le Marais in this 2CV tour. Check prices and availability here.
2-hour Vintage 2CV tour + Cruise
For those wishing to gain two new perspectives of the French capital, this combi ticket will allow you to enjoy the delights of exploring Paris in a classic car, as well as cruising on the waters of the River Seine with Bateaux Parisians, a glass-top riverboat. Check prices and availability here.
1-2 hour Discover Paris by Night in a Vintage Car with a Local
Imagine enjoying the iconic Parisian attractions and incredible sights by night, all while sitting in a vintage French car: it doesn’t get much more romantic than this. You can book this classic tour for an hour, or extend your excursion to two hours if you so prefer. Check prices and availability here.
Things to know before enjoying a tour of Paris in a Citroën 2CV
Come rain or shine, cold weather, or heat spells, there are a few things you’ll want to know before going on your Parisian tour.
Firstly, be sure to bring a camera along, even if it’s just the one on your phone! Though you’ll want to enjoy the experience in the moment, it’s always nice to have something to remember your day by!
Next, the weather in Paris can be impossible to predict, particularly in the late spring when showers are fairly common. Though many of the Citroëns come equipped with plastic roofing that will allow you to enjoy the sites without getting wet, you’ll still want to bring some warmer layers as being in the back of the car can get pretty breezy!
Finally, there are plenty of other romantic things to do in Paris as well as many ways to enjoy Paris by yourself. If you would like to learn more about the areas and districts that you can experience by Citroen 2 CV, then here’s a complete guide to Montmartre, and here are my top recommendations for Le Marais.
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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.