Hundreds of cars in "Collections": Renault turns old factory into large exhibition center

Vintage cars, street art, and production history: Renault is preparing for its 130th anniversary – including with a large collection in a historic factory that will be closed in 2024. Hundreds of vintage cars and thousands of design drawings and works of art will be on display in the "Renault Collections."

When the last models roll off the assembly line in car factories, a sense of gloom usually sets in pretty quickly: The paint is peeling, broken windows let icy gusts of wind blow through vast halls, and apart from a few grim security guards, the previously teeming spaces are deserted. Glittering cars, freshly pressed, seem like a long time ago.

While no Renaults have been rolling out of the Flins plant to customers since last year, crowds will soon be flocking to the factory site 40 kilometers west of Paris. The French manufacturer is building one of the industry's most unusual collections here by 2027: More than 800 vehicles, 10,000 design drawings, and 3,000 works of art span nearly 130 years of history—and well beyond.

"We need a place to show the world our rich history – but also our contribution to culture and social life," says Fabrice Cambolive, head of the Renault brand, outlining the approach to the plant's renaissance. More than 18 million cars have been built there since 1952: classics like the Dauphine, Renault 4 and 5, and Clio have often brought individual mobility to not only French people. And with the Zoe, the brand's electrification is also closely linked to the site.

Today, Flins has become a "refactory," where Renault is committed to a circular economy. Vehicles and batteries are repaired, parts are recycled, and new energies are researched.

"The building itself is a work of art"

In addition to working on the future, there's now a focus on history – in the form of the "Renault Collections": "After all, the building itself is an architectural work of art," says Cambolive. Architect Jacob Celnikier will complement the elongated factory from the 1950s in such a way that the gradually rising lines of the historic factory remain recognizable.

A rising facade, structured horizontally by large windows, provides a view from afar of hundreds of vehicles, displayed on shelves resembling a display case of automotive treasures. They range from the very first Renault Type A to pre-war models, legendary Alpine sports cars, and Formula 1 racing cars to modern concept vehicles. And those who visit the halls starting the year after next will also learn a wealth of history and stories from almost 130 years of Renault production.

Experience thanks to technology that immerses you

All of this will be accessible beyond the exhibits, also through immersive technology. Visitors might then be able to relive the Christmas birth of automobiles à la française: On Christmas Eve in 1898, Louis Renault drove his first prototype, the "Voiturette," up the steep Rue Lepic in Paris. Passersby stopped in amazement and spontaneously applauded. Exhibition visitors could soon be standing among them, virtually.

The museum's creators bring such scenes to life on an area the size of one and a half football fields – as well as the racing victories of the world champion cars of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, the compact van pioneer Espace, six-wheeled Renaults that crossed the Sahara in the 1920s, and the 40 CV that won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1925 with François Repusseau and his wife on board. More than half of these cars are roadworthy. Six specialized technicians take care of their restoration and maintenance.

Workshop to watch

The new location also features a dedicated drivetrain and bodywork workshop. Visitors can watch the restorers at work or, in the future, have their own historic vehicles restored to their original condition.

But you can also be creative in other ways in Flins: In addition to posters, construction drawings, miniatures, toys, trophies, medals and books, the French also want to create a large space for vibrant contemporary art.

A large whitewashed hall offers a taste of what's to come. The former paint shop is now a workplace for modern street artists. The "artists in residence" use the industrial environment as a source of inspiration – and "their works will once again become part of exhibitions," according to curator Gaël Lefeuvre. A key work is already on display: Gérard Zlotykamien has transformed a 1937 Renault bus into an art object with graffiti.

However, the Renault family began collecting art long before that with the creation of the "Collections." The founders have been promoting contemporary art since the 1930s. The collection includes several hundred works, including photographs by Robert Doisneau, who was a Renault employee for many years. Sculptures by Arman and Jean Tinguely utilize materials from production. Jean Dubuffet's Art Brut brings a new perspective on creativity and innovation. And Victor Vasarely even created the trademark with its three-dimensional diamond.

"Not a classic museum"

For decades, many of the art treasures lay in storage. It's a shame, because their art is particularly valuable: reflecting the world of work, social conditions, and contemporary history is a key focus of the exhibits. The car, as a mobile enabler for the masses, fits into this logic. And colorful Renault advertisements from many decades offer a fitting reflection of life's aspirations and reality. Exciting, challenging, and entertaining. "This isn't meant to be a classic museum, but rather a place for social exchange and creativity," says Catherine Gros, artistic director of the Collections.

The collection also aims to look to the future, and not just with glimpses of upcoming Twingos or Clios. Since 2024, a dedicated fund has supported contemporary artists, particularly in the field of street art. Works like Dan Rawlings' "Bourgeon," created from historic and current Renault models, are intended to represent the dialogue between past and present.

The collection is constantly growing – with new art, vintage cars, and new models. To make room for these exhibits, models that Renault has duplicates of are occasionally sold. An auction takes place on the first weekend in December, where rare vehicles find new owners. "The proceeds will be used to maintain and expand the collection," Gros announces. Production at this factory is never-ending.