21 Sep 06
If you thought the British Motor Show's return to London earlier this year put the pizzazz back into motor shows, you should seriously consider catching the Paris show, which start runs from 30 September to 15 October.
With five times more global premieres and six more halls than London, it's fair to say that it's in another league. And, set in the most romantic city in the world - and only a few hours from the UK by plane or train - it could be the perfect car-related (but not too car-related) weekend break.
The biennial Paris show - Le Mondial de I'Automobile - is one the most important car shows in the world (along with Geneva, Frankfurt, Detroit and Tokyo.) The last one drew more than 1.4m visitors and found floor space for 500 brands from 30 countries. This year's show will play host to 60 global car premieres and, bar a few US-only brands, all the world's carmakers will be there.
Despite its importance, the Paris show is not all about size and numbers. The Frankfurt show - which alternates years with Paris - in comparison, has 10 or more halls, including a five-floor shrine dedicated to Mercedes. This is great if you like Mercedes, but the option of a brief glance inside is thwarted by an Ikea-like yellow-brick road through the history of the brand. If you go in search of another hall it can involve what feels like miles of stomping along elevated walkways. Getting out at the end of a long day can make you feel like a released hostage, not a happy tourist. And even then, you've only escaped to Frankfurt, which nobody has ever called the most romantic city in the world.
