9:00 AM: AUTO MANUFACTURER AUDIBERT & LAVIROTTE - Didier Mahistre

Maurice Audibert initially built a steamboat, then Scotte trains and a petroleum engine at his family's address, "Maison Moinat." There, in 1896, he and Emile Lavirotte founded the company Audibert & Lavirotte, establishing a factory entirely dedicated to automobile manufacturing. The company experienced rapid growth (accounting for 31% of cars registered in the Rhône department in 1901) thanks to its diverse models, innovations, and sporting successes. However, a financial crisis particularly affected the metalworking industry in 1901, leading to the company's liquidation. The industrial site was subsequently acquired by Marius Berliet.

9:45 AM: LYON BRANDS AND THE FIREFIGHTERS  - Frédéric Pizzinato

Berliet, Mieusset, Rochet/Schneider, and Vermorel—these Lyon and Rhône-based brands contributed to the construction and development of fire engines. From the first motorized fire engine built by Berliet for the Lyon fire brigade in 1909 to the Vermorel prototype designed to protect its factory, numerous variations emerged. The Lyon Rhône Firefighters Museum, with its extensive collection of 160 vehicles, contributes to the memory of this industrial saga, not only in Lyon but also nationally. The Lyon Firefighters Museum was founded in 1966 and moved to its current location in La Duchère in 1971.

11:00 AM: 1924 FRENCH GRAND PRIX IN LYON - Francis Cincotta

Following the 1914 Grand Prix at Lyon Brignais (69530), the AIACR (International Association of Recognized Automobile Clubs) organized the 2nd European Grand Prix, which merged with the 19th Grand Prix of the Automobile Club of France (ACF). This Grand Prix was associated with other events, such as the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the 1924 Touring Car Grand Prix, also held at the Lyon Brignais circuit, featuring cars manufactured in Lyon. On July 27, 1924, the 13th Grand Prix of the Aero Club of France (spherical balloons) also took place at the Lyon stadium.

11:45 AM: WOMEN AND THE AUTOMOBILE - Paulette Broussas, Nadège Kauffmann

The presence of women in motorsport has not been without its challenges. From the late 19th century, pioneering women defied social conventions by participating in car races. These early competitors not only had to face challenges on the track but also fight against the stereotypes of their time. The practice of sports, and motorsport in particular, contributed to women's emancipation, with pioneers like Hellé Nice, the "chauffeuses" (female drivers), and the rally drivers of the 1970s and 80s.

2:15 PM: THE HISTORY OF TIRES - Dominique Stempfel

With 50 years of experience in the tire industry, Dominique Stempfel, president of the French Tire Professionals Association (Syndicat des Professionnels du Pneu), defends the interests of the sector, including manufacturers and distributors, and conducts educational campaigns for professionals and motorists to promote the importance of tires for improving road safety. In his presentation, he will recount the incredible evolution of the tire since its invention in 1888, which has made it the technologically advanced product we use today. He will then unveil future projects.

3:15 PM: BERLIET AT THE INTERNATIONAL - Monique Chapelle

Although Marius Berliet exported his cars and trucks to several continents starting in 1905, the speaker will limit her presentation to the export of Automobiles M. Berliet between 1950 and 1974 under the presidency of Paul Berliet. Alongside the traditional sale of finished products, she will elaborate on the technology transfer to emerging countries that characterized this period: "It is about (...) teaching emerging countries the elements of modern technology that allow them to develop themselves through work without risking hunger. It is about enabling them to fully realize their potential as human beings."

4:30 PM: HISTORY OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN THE RHÔNE DPT - Jean-Claude Pauly

The history of vehicle registration dates back to 1749 with a proposal by Jacques Guillauté, a gendarmerie officer in the Île-de-France region, to register horse-drawn vehicles. This was followed in the 19th century by national ordinances and decrees, as well as bylaws in the city of Lyon since 1821, which regulated the circulation and registration of horse-drawn vehicles, bicycles, and finally automobiles. These texts reflect local customs and regulations, including those that fuel the legend attributing the origin of French vehicle registrations to the Parc de la Tête d'Or!

5:15 PM: MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER RHÔNY'X - Didier Mahistre

The Lyon-based adventure of Rhony'x motorcycles – the name referring to the Rhône River – began in 1926, driven by three Lyon natives: JM Boucher, L Belleville, and L Bastide. In 1928, the company, under its MOTO RHONE brand (which quickly became MOTO RHONY'X), built a full range of 2-stroke and 4-stroke motorcycles. They then decided to manufacture their own engine block under the Stainless brand, in partnership with manufacturers in Mâcon and Villefranche-sur-Saône. The company experienced significant growth and a solid reputation for reliability, but management errors and financial difficulties ultimately led to bankruptcy and liquidation in 1935.

Photo credit : Groupe Accor

Click on the image and enlarge! - Filmed and directed by Yves Coeurdray

Photo credits : Élodie Rosier, Francis Cincotta, Yves Coeurdray

THE CONFERENCES AND ROUND TABLES OF MAY 23, 2025:

A total of 14 presentations took place in the form of conferences or roundtables. The atmosphere was convivial in the lounges of the Mercure Château Perrache , a listed building and 4-star hotel. Judging by the satisfaction questionnaires, the day, including the sit-down lunch and coffee breaks, seems to have been a complete success with the attendees . Let's do it again in 2026!

Thanks again to the speakers, the public and the (very attentive) staff of Château Perrache.

ETS BURLAT - Didier Mahistre

Jean Burlat gathered his siblings Mathieu, Eugène, and Antoine around a mechanical engineering business, and on October 9, 1900, they embarked in Lyon on the industrial adventure of building revolutionary rotary engines operating according to La Hire's theorem. These engines consisted of 4, 6, 8, and 16 rotating cylinders with fins arranged in pairs in a cross pattern and set at 90°. This was followed by automobiles, trucks, buses, aircraft engines, and motorcycles until 1922. These motor vehicles were recognizable by their circular radiator with the crank handle open in the center.
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ETS LA BUIRE - Francis Cincotta

The story of the Société des Chantiers de Construction de la Buire began in 1846. The company specialized in the construction of tramways and railway rolling stock. The Compagnie des Fonderies et Forges de l'Horme absorbed the La Buire shipyards in 1877. In 1895, it became the Société Nouvelle des Etablissements de l'Horme et de la Buire. It continued its operations until 1917, while the automotive division, "SA des Automobiles La Buire," was established as a public limited company in 1905. La Buire automobiles were always entered in competitions and distinguished themselves in hill climbs.

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INDUSTRIAL HISTORY (ROUND TABLE)

It is impossible to discuss Lyon's history today without mentioning its industrial heritage, thanks to which the city prospered continuously for several centuries. Lyon's industry, initially driven by the silk sector, from its production to the manufacture of looms, expanded and diversified into new branches, primarily chemicals, metallurgy, mechanics, and of course, automobiles. The major industrial districts at the beginning of the 19th century were Brotteaux, Guillotière, Croix-Rousse, and Perrache.

Host:  Pierre Edmond Desvignes

PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL HISTORY - Claude Frangin

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ELECTRIC TRANSPORT IN LYON - Hervé Joly

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THE HENRI MALARTRE AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM - Charline Grimaldi

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LYON, EXPERTISE & PROMOTION​​​​​​​ - Philippe Dujardin

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AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY PLACE - Nadine Halitim Dubois

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LES COURSES AUTOMOBILES DÉBUT XXE SIECLE - Francis Cincotta

Au début du XXe siècle, Lyon a joué un rôle important dans l'histoire des courses automobiles en France. La première course fut celle de Lyon-Lagnieu le 02 aout 1896 avec 140 engagés cyclistes et automobiles. Le 4 juillet 1914, Lyon accueille pour la première fois le Grand Prix de France classé en Grand prix d'Europe. Cette course se déroule sur un circuit triangulaire de 37,6 kms entre Lyon et Givors, avec un parcours total de 752 kms répartis sur 20 tours. Le Grand Prix de 1924 se déroule sur un circuit de 24 kms entre Les Sept Chemins, Givors et le Pont Rompu. Accèdez via l'mage jointe et agrandissez

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF AVIATION - Pierre Lussignol

The First World War played a crucial role in the development of the aeronautical industry in Lyon. From the outset of the conflict, numerous aircraft manufacturers relocated to the Lyon region. Fifteen factories producing aircraft components, eight manufacturing engines, and several accessory manufacturers were established primarily on the left bank of the Rhône, in Lyon's 3rd and 8th arrondissements, as well as in Villeurbanne. During the four years of the war, 56,146 aircraft and 92,000 engines were produced in France, half of them in Lyon's factories. Bron airfield became a key hub.

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PRESENTATION OF THE 3A-HISTORIQUE THESAURUS - Didier MAHISTRE

It is clear that current and modern automotive technical terminology cannot provide us with a common language suitable for classic cars because it lacks any historical grounding. This is why, upon its creation, the 3A-Historic section decided as its first task to create an illustrated thesaurus of automobiles, their terminology, and other mechanical vehicles. Developed by Didier Mahistre, with contributions from Anthony Pinto, Francis Cincotta, Daniel Culas, and proofread by Dominique Thibaudon, it is the most comprehensive thesaurus ever created on vehicles in France. A thesaurus is a structured directory of terms (keywords).

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