Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim, in Alsace, became the heart of the Bugatti industrial empire in 1909. Ettore Bugatti, a French naturalized Italian industrialist, installed his brand's headquarters there and designed luxury and competitive cars, including the famous Type 35. This place symbolizes the alliance between art and mechanics, with more than 7,500 vehicles produced.

Ettore Bugatti, passionate about aesthetics and performance, developed innovations such as the horse iron grille, the brand's signature. His son Jean, a genius designer, worked closely with him, creating iconic models such as the Royal or Type 57. The house also embodies family dramas, including John's death in 1939.

During World War II, the factory was confiscated by the Germans and recovered by Ettore in 1945. Despite its efforts to revive production, the brand did not survive its disappearance in 1947. Today, this place remains a testimony of the golden age of the French automobile and the genius of Ettore Bugatti.

The villa of Molsheim, sumptuous residence and head office, reflected the taste of Ettore for luxury and art. He lived there with his family, including his wife Barbara and his children, while running a company that marked industrial history. The site is also linked to figures like Roland Garros, friend of Ettore.

Bugatti filed nearly 1,000 patents, combining technical innovation and aesthetic research. The engines, even hidden, had to be beautiful, illustrating his motto: "Nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive". The factory also produced railcars in the 1930s to survive the economic crisis.

After 1947, the brand disappeared, but its legacy continued. The house of Molsheim, although not open to the public as a museum, remains a symbol of Alsatian excellence. Honours such as the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans or local schools perpetuate his memory.

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