Construction of the mansion XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Former farm body called the "New Court".
1985
Museum Foundation
Museum Foundation 1985 (≈ 1985)
Michel Hommell installs his collection in the mansion.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Michel Hommell - Founder and collector
Created the museum in his mansion.
Origin and history
The Manoir de l'Automotive is a museum set up in a 17th century mansion, initially a farm called the Cour Neuve, located in Lohéac, Ille-et-Vilaine. Founded in 1985 by Michel Hommell, a passionate collector, he exhibits 400 historic vehicles on 14,000 m2, retracing a century of automotive evolution. The models, classified by category (sport, competition, luxury, etc.), include spaces dedicated to Ferrari, Alpine-Renault and Lamborghini, as well as a reconstitution of Formula 1 grids with cars driven by champions like Alain Prost.
In parallel with the vehicles, the museum presents exhibitions on the Dantan trades, with reconstructed scenes and period objects, as well as a collection of 50 hippomobile vehicles and 3,000 miniatures. These exhibitions complement historical immersion, combining industrial and artisanal heritage. The success of the Manoir boosted local tourism, attracting visitors and infrastructure (hotels, restaurants) around the nearby rallycross site and circuit.
Michel Hommell's project, born of his passion for old cars, has transformed a farm body into a major cultural place. The museum showcases rare pieces, such as iconic competition models, while celebrating the technical and social legacy of the automobile. Its impact goes beyond the museum setting, contributing to the economic and tourist development of Lohéac and its region.
