About

The museum was inaugurated on May 31, 1960 from the collection of old vehicles built up by Henri Malartre, vehicles preserved by him since the 1930s. It is installed in the castle, whose history dates back to the 12th century and acquired in 1959 by Mr. Malartre. It is completed by the Amédée Gordini hall, opened in 1963, as well as the Louis Pradel hall, opened in 1972.

Henri Malartre worked as an automobile wrecker. On several occasions, he found himself faced with endearing and historically interesting models. He refused to sacrifice them and thus built up a valuable collection in the 1930s.

The collection was preserved during the Second World War, hidden in a barn in Isère. Having joined the Resistance, Henri Malartre was arrested and deported. At the end of the war, he returned to Lyon and found his collection.

As its demolition activity resumed, its collection increased, and for the first time in 1956, it was exhibited on avenue Berthelot, in the company's premises. Faced with the success and enthusiasm created by old cars, the project of creating a museum was born. Thus in 1960, with the support of Louis Pradel, mayor of Lyon, the Rochetaillée museum was opened.