The lucky owners of classic cars in Paris meet up once a month on a Sunday at the Esplanade du Château de Vincennes, but only once a year do they parade through the city! Over 450 beautifully-preserved vehicles will be taking part in the event on Sunday 10th January 2010, accompanied by 20 vintage motorbikes and three buses that joe public can ride along on…

Last year, the cars went past the Panthéon on their way to the Eiffel Tower...
This photo by Flickr user Parispassion is used under cc licence

However, you’ll have to get there early for a seat on the bus: departure from the château de Vincennes is at 8am (!) before everyone heads off for Paris. The onvoy will cross place Daumesnil and Bastille, then taking boulevard Morland, the Pont Marie bridge, quai Montbello, quai Conti followed by Place de la Concorde.

This photo by Flickr user Parispassion is used under cc licence

Next, there’ s a first trip up the Champs-Elysées, then on to Montmartre, place de l’Opéra, place Vendôme and back to the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe before finishing off at either place Rueff or Trocadéro, either side of the Eiffel Tower. Estimated time of arrival, 10.10am. You can then see the cars displayed there until 4.30pm.

Click on the graphic to see the route full size

The even is organised by the association Vincennes en anciennes, and on their site you can even order the DVD of the event, saving you the effort of getting out of bed on a cold Sunday morning (but costing you an extra 25 euros in the process!).

The 10th Traversée de Paris takes place on Sunday 10th January 2010, srating at 8am in Vincennes and continuuing until 4.30pm at Trocadero.

This photo by Flickr user Parispassion is used under cc licence