Creation of the first museum 1970 (≈ 1970)
Philippe Charbonneaux opens a museum near Saint-Dizier.
1985
Transfer to Reims
Transfer to Reims 1985 (≈ 1985)
The collection is moved into the old MMM.
1998
Death of Charbonneaux
Death of Charbonneaux 1998 (≈ 1998)
Resumption of the museum by the SCAR association.
2016
Last 17 vehicles
Last 17 vehicles 2016 (≈ 2016)
Transfer to the City of the Automobile of Mulhouse.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Philippe Charbonneaux - Founder and collector
Creates the museum and gathers up to 140 vehicles.
Origin and history
The Reims-Champagne Automobile Museum is located in Reims, in the Grand Est region, at 84 Georges-Clemenceau Avenue, in the former premises of the Modern Metalwork (MMM). This museum, one of the five largest in France by its number of exhibits, presents about 230 vehicles, including 160 cars and 90 two-wheelers, as well as collections of miniatures, pedal cars and enamelled plates. Its origin dates back to 1970, when Philippe Charbonneaux founded a first museum near Saint-Dizier to exhibit his personal collection.
In 1985, Charbonneaux transferred its collection to Reims, where it reached up to 140 vehicles at its peak. After his death in 1998, his heirs gradually sold the vehicles, and the remaining 17 were left in 2016 at the City of the Automobile of Mulhouse. The museum is then ensured by the association Salon des Collections Automobiles Rémois (SCAR), which takes over its management and develops the current exhibitions.
Among the iconic pieces is Lacroix-de-Laville "Nef" (1903), the oldest vehicle in the museum. The collections cover prestigious brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Peugeot, Porsche or Renault for cars, as well as BSA, Norton or Triumph for motorcycles. Specific sections are dedicated to miniatures (7,000 pieces), toys and old pedal cars, reflecting the diversity of the automotive heritage.
The museum occupies a converted industrial building, reflecting both local history and the evolution of automotive techniques. Its outreach is based on various collections, ranging from rare models to popular objects, and its associative commitment to preserve this heritage. Today, it remains a must-see place for old car enthusiasts in France.
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Collection
Sont exposé des automobiles et motocyclettes de 1908 à nos jours. Certaines n'ont été fabriquées qu'à quelques exemplaires comme les automobiles SCAR de Witry-les-Reims.
