National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, France (Cité de l'Automobile – Musée National de l'Automobile, formerly the Schlumpf Museum / Musée Schlumpf, located in Mulhouse)

Core Exhibits and Collection Highlights

Situated in Mulhouse within the Alsace region of France, the National Automobile Museum is a world-renowned automotive sanctuary of monumental scale, dedicated to housing top-tier classic cars and the historical heritage of Bugatti.

Its central exhibition area is set within a massive industrial-style domed hall converted from a textile mill, boasting an expansive and majestic interior. The museum permanently showcases hundreds of prized vehicles spanning over a century, with the crown jewel being the impeccably preserved, extraordinary fleet of rare Bugatti sports cars assembled by the Schlumpf brothers across their lifetimes (including several surviving units of the legendary Bugatti Royale).

The extensive curation not only chronicles Ettore Bugatti's supreme mastery in pre-war mechanical engineering, aero engines, and luxury sports car coachbuilding, but also brings together iconic masterpieces from dozens of international luxury and motorsport marques from the late 19th century through to the mid-to-late 20th century, presenting a comprehensive celebration of the golden era of European automotive design and engineering.

Market Positioning and Historical Evolution

The museum originated as a private collection discreetly assembled by the Schlumpf brothers in the mid-20th century. Following insolvency proceedings and a collaborative rescue effort by the French government and regional authorities, it officially opened to the public in 1982 as the National Automobile Museum.

Its founding mission was to safeguard and present to the world an unparalleled artistic and technological legacy in the history of the global motoring industry.

As the ultimate pilgrimage destination for classic car enthusiasts worldwide, the museum has cemented its position as an indisputable benchmark in the automotive museum sector, anchored by its peerless Bugatti collection and revered historical stature.

Operational Standards and Visitor Guidelines

As a premier national automotive institution entrusted with the world's most significant Bugatti heritage and priceless classic car collections, daily operations and preservation protocols at the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse strictly adhere to the highest international museum management and heritage conservation standards.

The display galleries and dedicated storage vaults maintain a continuous climate-controlled environment with regulated temperature and humidity, shielding these multi-million-ringgit vintage classics, rare Bugatti chassis, precision mechanical assemblies, bespoke leather upholstery, and original historical paintwork from environmental degradation and oxidation.

Regarding fleet maintenance and dynamic asset management, all historic vehicles undergo regular, high-precision mechanical servicing, fluid checks, and anti-corrosion treatments conducted by dedicated classic car restoration specialists and master technicians.

Across the expansive exhibition halls open to the public, visitors must strictly comply with all safety and environmental regulations. Touching the vehicle bodywork, crossing safety cordons, or engaging in any action that may compromise or damage these historic artefacts is strictly prohibited.