The 19th National Rally of 2 CV Clubs in France (Rencontre nationale des 2cv clubs de France) is scheduled to take place over France’s Ascension holiday between 16th and 20th May 2012 at Chateaubriant in Loire-atlantique department, Pays de la Loire.

Deux Chevaux as far as the eye can see

The French National 2CV meet is held on a 25 hectare site with ample parking. From small beginnings, the 2CV Association of France now has over 4000 members and various local rallies are held throughout the summer months. The first 2CV National Rally was held in 1993 when more than 250 vehicles got together but organisers expect the 2012 Chateaubriant event to draw around 10 times that number with around 2500 ‘deuche-deuches’ and their owners expected to assemble in Loire-atlantique.

Deux chevaux enthusiasts assemble, not just from France but from all over Europe. The UK had the third biggest representation at the last 2CV National Rally (after France and Belgium) when almost 200 British 2CV owners attended.

The Citroën 2CV – a French motoring icon

Instantly recognisable the world over, the Citroën Deux Chevaux entered production in France in 1948. Conceived as a low cost automobile for the masses in the post-war years and derived from a pre-war prototype (pictured) the 2 CV’s designers could not have dreamed just how successful the ‘deuche-deuche’ would become.

In a production history spanning 42 years until 1990, almost 4 million 2 CVs rolled off the production lines. In addition, the 2 CV spawned the van version, the fourgonette, and identical mechanical derivatives such as the Ami, the Dyane, the Acadiane and the Mehari. In all a staggering 8,756,688 2CVs and derivatives were produced and, as at 2011, in the UK, there remained 3,417 2 CVs on the road and registered with DVLC.

Despite the Citroën 2CV being out of production for over 20 years, affection for this utilitarian workhorse remains undiminished both in France and abroad as witnessed by the success of the Rencontre nationale des 2cv clubs de France over the years. Seeing 2000+ 2 CVs assembled in one place is truly a marvellous site.

The Week-end Schedule

Full details of the programme for the 4 days of the 19th National Rally of 2 CV Clubs in France will be announced nearer the dates for the event but here is a brief summary:

• Welcome for Participants
• Various tours and circuits to discover Chateaubriant and Loire-atlantique department
• Many on-site entertainments including the taking apart and re-assembly of a 2CV!
• Exhibition and museum dedicated to the Deux Chevaux

Some other useful links:

The 2nd Tour de la France en Deuche Deuche (2 CV) 2013

The Deux Chevaux Club of Great Britain

Location2CV.net : 2CV Hire and Conducted Tours in Anjou (Maine-et-Loire)

Photos: 1. 1939 Citroën 2CV prototype; 2. Deux Chevaux on Champs-Elysées, Paris 2009 (Images Wikimedia Commons)