French Automobile Club
Encyclopedia
The Automobile Club of France (French : Automobile Club de France) (ACF) is a men's club founded on November 12, 1895 by Albert de Dion
, Paul Meyan, and its first president, the Dutch-born Baron, Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt.
The Automobile Club of France, also known in French as "ACF" or "l'Auto", was initially located near the Paris Opera and benefited from a villa in the Bois de Boulogne
. In 1898, the club moved to the exceptional site of the former "Place Louis XV" (currently Place de la Concorde
) in order to offer its members more comfort in a prestigious setting. The club still occupies more than 10,000 square meters in the Hotels du Plessis-Bellière and Moreau, both located between the Hotel de Crillon
and the Hotel de Coislin, where France signed a treaty by which it became the first nation ever to recognize the independence of the United States
.
The members of the Automobile Club of France enjoy several lounges, a swimming-pool, a gym, a library containing more than 45,000 references, a movie theater, bars, and dining-rooms. Numerous activities are offered, among which yoga, squash, shooting, billiards, fencing. The facilities also include a hair salon and a travel agency.
On January 16, 1906, the French Automobile Club licensed the departement of Sarthe
to organize an auto race. Their historical action marked the beginning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
and the French Grand Prix
. Organized Grand Prix motor racing
evolved to become the Paris
-based Formula One
organization. The 100th anniversary of the event was marked by the government of France issuing a commemorative coin
as seen here.
From 1906 to 1914 the Club regulated major races in France and established the rules for the annual national race dubbed a Grand Prix that was open to competitors from any country. World War I
disrupted racing in France until 1921 at which time the national event returned under the official name "ACF Grand Prix" (French: Grand Prix de l'A.C.F.). This name was used until 1967 when it was changed to French Grand Prix.
Today, the club maintains its head office and top notch facilities on the Place de la Concorde
in Paris
headed by Hugues du Rouret, President and Charles Luthi, General Director & General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.
Charles Lüthi, General Director and General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.
Albert de Dion
Marquis Jules Félix Philippe Albert de Dion was a pioneer of the automobile industry in France.-His life:...
, Paul Meyan, and its first president, the Dutch-born Baron, Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt.
The Automobile Club of France, also known in French as "ACF" or "l'Auto", was initially located near the Paris Opera and benefited from a villa in the Bois de Boulogne
Bois de Boulogne
The Bois de Boulogne is a park located along the western edge of the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near the suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt and Neuilly-sur-Seine...
. In 1898, the club moved to the exceptional site of the former "Place Louis XV" (currently Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.- History :...
) in order to offer its members more comfort in a prestigious setting. The club still occupies more than 10,000 square meters in the Hotels du Plessis-Bellière and Moreau, both located between the Hotel de Crillon
Hôtel de Crillon
The Hôtel de Crillon in Paris is one of the oldest luxury hotels in the world. The hotel is located at the foot of the Champs-Élysées and is one of two identical stone palaces on the Place de la Concorde. The Crillon has 103 guest rooms and 44 suites...
and the Hotel de Coislin, where France signed a treaty by which it became the first nation ever to recognize the independence of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The members of the Automobile Club of France enjoy several lounges, a swimming-pool, a gym, a library containing more than 45,000 references, a movie theater, bars, and dining-rooms. Numerous activities are offered, among which yoga, squash, shooting, billiards, fencing. The facilities also include a hair salon and a travel agency.
On January 16, 1906, the French Automobile Club licensed the departement of Sarthe
Sarthe
Sarthe is a French department, named after the Sarthe River.- History :The department was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, pursuant to the law of December 22, 1789, starting from a part of the province of Maine which was divided into two departments, Sarthe to the east and...
to organize an auto race. Their historical action marked the beginning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
and the French Grand Prix
French Grand Prix
The French Grand Prix was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships....
. Organized Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
evolved to become the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
-based Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
organization. The 100th anniversary of the event was marked by the government of France issuing a commemorative coin
Commemorative coin
Commemorative coins are coins that were issued to commemorate some particular event or issue. Most world commemorative coins were issued from the 1960s onward, although there are numerous examples of commemorative coins of earlier date. Such coins have a distinct design with reference to the...
as seen here.
From 1906 to 1914 the Club regulated major races in France and established the rules for the annual national race dubbed a Grand Prix that was open to competitors from any country. World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
disrupted racing in France until 1921 at which time the national event returned under the official name "ACF Grand Prix" (French: Grand Prix de l'A.C.F.). This name was used until 1967 when it was changed to French Grand Prix.
Today, the club maintains its head office and top notch facilities on the Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.- History :...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
headed by Hugues du Rouret, President and Charles Luthi, General Director & General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.
Eminent Members
- Francois Bujon de l'EstangFrançois Bujon de l'EstangFrançois Bujon de l'Estang was the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the United States.-Career:He graduated from the Sciences Po, ENA, and the Harvard School of Business Administration....
, former French ambassador to the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. - Michel David-WeillMichel David-WeillMichel David-Weill is a French investment banker and former Chairman of New York City based Lazard Frères.He is the son of Berthe Haardt and Lazard Frères chairman Pierre David-Weill...
, former head of Lazard Frères in ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. - Jean-Martin FolzJean-Martin FolzJean-Martin Folz is a French businessman. He was the chairman and CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1997 to 2007.-References:...
, former CEO of PeugeotPeugeotPeugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
. - Carlos GhosnCarlos GhosnCarlos Ghosn, KBE , born 9 March 1954, is a Brazilian-Lebanese-French businessman who is currently the Chairman and CEO of Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan and holds the same positions at Paris-based Renault, which together produce more than one in 10 cars worldwide...
, chairman & CEO of RenaultRenaultRenault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
and Nissan. - Alain-Dominique Perrin, CEO of RichemontRichemontCompagnie Financière Richemont S.A. is a Swiss luxury goods holding company founded in 1988 by the South African businessman Johann Rupert. Richemont categorizes its businesses into four areas: jewellery, watch making, writing instruments and other, which encompasses clothing and firearms. The...
. - Roland Peugeot, former chairman of PeugeotPeugeotPeugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
. - Baron Guy de Rothschild.
- Baron Ernest-Antoine Seilliere de Laborde, CEO of Wendel and former head of Medef.
- Frantz Taittinger.
- Gerard WertheimerGerard WertheimerGerard Wertheimer is a Jewish French businessman based in France who owns and controls the House of Chanel perfume company in partnership with his brother, Alain....
, co-owner of ChanelChanelChanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
.
Key people
Hugues du Rouret, President of the Automobile Club de France.Charles Lüthi, General Director and General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.