Once every two years, Paris becomes the automotive capital of the world. One event pulls together manufacturers, engineers, designers, and hundreds of thousands of car fans into a single place for seven extraordinary days. In October 2026, that event returns for its 91st edition, and by all accounts it will be the most ambitious one in years. Whether you follow every concept car reveal or simply love looking at exceptional vehicles, this is a trip worth planning now.
Essential Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | Mondial de l’Auto 2026 (Paris Motor Show) |
| Edition | 91st |
| Press and Trade Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Public Days | Tuesday, October 13 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France |
| Address | 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris |
| Expected Visitors | More than 500,000 |
| Confirmed Exhibitors | 150+ |
| Confirmed Manufacturers | 45+ |
| Accredited Journalists | 4,000+ |
| Organized by | Hopscotch Groupe and Plateforme automobile (PFA) |
| Official Website | mondial.paris |
A Show With 128 Years of Automotive History
The Mondial de l’Auto traces its roots to 1898, making it the oldest motor show in the world. For 128 years, it has given automakers a global stage to reveal their most significant new vehicles. The 2024 edition celebrated the event’s 90th anniversary and broke attendance records. The 2026 edition builds directly on that momentum.
Organizers have confirmed that more manufacturers will participate in 2026 than in 2024. Several European brands that skipped earlier editions are returning. Additionally, a new wave of Chinese manufacturers is joining the show floor alongside traditional Western giants. The result is the most diverse exhibitor lineup the show has seen in years.
The show occupies five full halls at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles complex. Visitors can move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces, which the organizers describe as a journey through today’s and tomorrow’s automotive culture.
Confirmed Brands and Major Exhibitors
The confirmed manufacturer lineup spans European legacy brands, premium names, and emerging players from China. Here is a breakdown of the key participants and what they plan to bring.
| Manufacturer / Group | Highlights |
| Stellantis | 8 brands, 60+ vehicles across 5,340 sqm in Hall 4 |
| Peugeot | New concept cars, E-208 GTi, new 308, new 408, Sport Zone with 9X8 |
| Citroën | New model lineup for European market |
| DS Automobiles | Launch of DS N°7 with hybrid and full-electric powertrains, up to 740 km range |
| Fiat | Grande Panda sedan variant targeting the family car segment |
| Lancia | French national premiere of the new Lancia Gamma fastback crossover |
| Leapmotor | European premiere of B03 B-hatch, previews of B03X and B05 |
| Opel | New Opel Astra with Intelli-Lux technology |
| Alfa Romeo | Full lineup display |
| BMW | BMW i3 electric sedan, new generation X5 SUV |
| Volkswagen | Two new electric models |
| Hyundai | Ioniq 3 electric compact and Genesis brand with three full-EV models |
| Dacia | C-Neo project family wagon unveil |
| Alpine | New fully electric generation replacing the A110 |
| Abarth | Supercharged 600 and Grande Panda Abarth concepts |
| BYD and Geely | Chinese electric vehicle showcases |
BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen France have all confirmed participation. The show therefore represents a genuine cross-section of the global automotive industry in 2026.
Electric Cars Taking Center Stage
The electric vehicle transition is no longer a promise at this show. It has become the normal state of the industry. Every major manufacturer arrives in Paris with at least one electric model, and most bring several.
The most anticipated electric reveals include the BMW i3, which arrives as a fully electric family sedan building on the concept directions established by the Neue Klasse. Hyundai brings the Ioniq 3, a compact electric positioned to compete directly in one of Europe’s most competitive segments. Volkswagen presents two electric models, including an electric SUV. Alpine drops its combustion engine entirely and arrives with the full-electric successor to the A110. The DS N°7 offers a full-electric powertrain capable of up to 740 kilometers of range, one of the longest ranges announced for a production car at this show.
Additionally, the new wave of Chinese brands reinforces the message that the electric market has changed permanently. BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor all bring production-ready electric vehicles to the floor, not just concepts.
The Dream Zone: Luxury and High-Performance Cars
Beyond the mainstream electric reveals, the show dedicates a 700 square meter space to the world’s most exceptional vehicles. The Dream Zone brings together prestigious luxury and high-performance brands alongside rare models, some of which appear anywhere for the first time at this show.
This section draws a different kind of visitor. Car collectors, premium buyers, and enthusiasts who follow niche manufacturers use the Dream Zone as a chance to see vehicles they might never encounter anywhere else. The curation changes each edition, so even regular attendees discover something new.
The Autonomous Lab: Experience Self-Driving Technology
The single most talked-about new feature of the 2026 show is the Autonomous Lab. Located in Hall 7.1, accessible from Gate H, this 700 square meter space lets the general public experience fully autonomous driving on a secure urban circuit for the first time at any motor show anywhere in the world.
The Autonomous Lab runs every day of the public show. Entry requires a reservation, which visitors book separately from their main show ticket. The experience is free once inside the show. For anyone who has read about autonomous vehicles but never experienced one, this is an extraordinary opportunity. Slots are expected to fill up fast. Booking as soon as the reservation system opens is strongly recommended.
Pop Culture by Movie Cars Central Area
The show does not cater only to buyers and technology enthusiasts. The Pop Culture by Movie Cars Central Area showcases more than 20 classic and iconic vehicles drawn from cinema and popular culture. This zone appeals to families, younger visitors, and anyone who connects their love of cars to film, television, or design history. It sits alongside the main manufacturer halls and requires no additional ticket.
Visitor Guide: How to Plan Your Visit
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets are on sale now through the official website at mondial.paris. Online booking in advance is strongly recommended. The organizers consistently advise early ticket purchase both to guarantee entry and to secure better pricing compared to the door rate. Autonomous Lab reservations are separate and free but capacity is strictly limited.
Getting to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
The venue sits in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, directly served by metro line 12 at the Porte de Versailles station. Several bus lines also stop nearby. For visitors traveling by train, the venue is accessible from Paris Montparnasse and other major stations with a short metro ride. Taxis and rideshare services drop off at the main venue entrance. Driving to the venue is possible, but parking is limited and traffic around the site on peak days is significant. Public transport is the practical choice for most visitors.
How Much Time Do You Need?
| Visit Goal | Recommended Time |
| One hall in depth, five to six brands | At least half a day |
| Full five-hall coverage | Full day, plan for midweek to avoid crowds |
| Autonomous Lab experience | Add one reservation slot per visit |
| Dream Zone plus main floor | Full day recommended |
Saturday and Sunday draw the largest crowds. Midweek days from Tuesday through Thursday offer a more relaxed pace and shorter queues at popular stands.
What to Bring and Wear
The show spans five large halls plus outdoor spaces. You will cover significant ground during the visit. Comfortable shoes are essential. Bring a portable charger for your phone. The show floor has patchy connectivity during peak hours, so downloading the official event app and any maps before you arrive is a practical step. A light bag for any brochures or printed materials you collect is also useful.
Why 2026 Is a Particularly Strong Edition
Several factors make this edition stand out from recent years. Manufacturer participation is at its highest level in over a decade, with more brands confirmed than the record-breaking 2024 show. The return of European brands that sat out recent editions adds depth to the lineup. The debut of the Autonomous Lab introduces a genuinely new kind of experience that no previous edition has offered. Additionally, the expanded presence of Chinese manufacturers brings competitive pressure and new product ideas that were absent from European shows just a few years ago. Over 4,000 journalists will cover the event globally, ensuring that whatever launches in Paris in October reaches automotive audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
The Paris Motor Show 2026 runs from October 12 to 18 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with October 12 reserved for press and trade visitors and the public welcome from October 13 onward. The 91st edition brings together more than 45 manufacturers, 150 exhibitors, and an expected 500,000 visitors across five dedicated halls. Electric vehicles dominate the reveal schedule, with the BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Volkswagen electric SUV, Alpine’s first fully electric car, and the DS N°7’s 740-kilometer-range powertrain among the headline announcements. Stellantis returns with eight brands and more than 60 vehicles across a 5,340 square meter stand.
The Dream Zone showcases the world’s most prestigious and rare vehicles. The Autonomous Lab at Hall 7.1 offers reserved, free-to-experience autonomous driving demonstrations, a global first for any motor show. Book your tickets through mondial.paris as early as possible, reserve your Autonomous Lab slot separately, and plan a full day if you want to cover the entire show.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Paris Motor Show 2026 open to the public?
The public can attend from Tuesday, October 13, through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Monday, October 12, is reserved exclusively for press and trade professionals. The organizers publish public show hours on the official website, mondial.paris.
Where is the 2026 show held and how do I get there?
The show takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, located at 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris. The easiest route is via Paris Metro line 12, with a stop directly at Porte de Versailles. Several bus lines and taxi and rideshare services also serve the venue.
How do I book tickets for the Paris Motor Show 2026?
Tickets are available online through the official website at mondial.paris. Buying in advance is strongly recommended to secure the best price and avoid queues at the entrance. The Autonomous Lab experience requires a separate reservation, also available through the official website, and entry is free of charge once you are inside the show.
Which electric cars will be revealed at the 2026 show?
Confirmed electric reveals include the BMW i3 family sedan, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 compact, two new Volkswagen electric models, the full-electric successor to the Alpine A110, the DS N°7 with up to 740 km of electric range, and electric vehicles from BYD, Leapmotor, and Geely. Most major manufacturers present at the show will display at least one electric model.
What is the Autonomous Lab and how do I experience it?
The Autonomous Lab is a new dedicated space at Hall 7.1, accessible via Gate H, where visitors can ride in a fully autonomous vehicle on a secure urban circuit inside the show venue. It runs every day of the public show. Entry requires a prior reservation made through the official website. The experience is free with your general show admission. Booking your slot as early as possible is recommended, as capacity is limited.
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Thomas Walker is an accomplished writer with expertise in the basics of car accessories. With a keen eye for detail, Thomas has established himself as an authority on the subject, with a passion for all things automotive. Based in Jasper, Thomas is dedicated to providing readers with the information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to their car accessories.
