French Automobile Club, overlooking Place de la Concorde, exceptional gastronomy

The Automobile Club de France (ACF) – its founding The Automobile Club de France is a private French club founded on 12 November 1895, housed in two adjoining townhouses: the Hôtel du Plessis-Bellière and the Hôtel Cartier, located at 6-8 Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. A very “English-style” management approach. Reserved for men, the club is run by the Société de gestion de l’Automobile Club de France (ACF). It is the oldest automobile club in the world. Long frequented by wealthy aristocrats and industrialists, the ACF is one of the most exclusive private clubs in the capital, alongside the Tir aux Pigeons, Polo de Paris, Le Siècle, and the Jockey Club. But it is a “themed” club, whose origins intertwine with the history of French—and even global—automobile history. **The Automobile Club de France (ACF) – its objectives** In 1898, the organization designed and organized the first automobile show in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris. In 1899, on an idea by Paul Meyan and with the support of the newspaper *Le Matin*, it created the Tour de France Automobile, retrospectively considered the fourth edition of the Grand Prix for that inaugural season… The famous Mi-Carême procession of the 1903 Paris Carnival, departing from Place de la Concorde, was organized by the ACF. The Queen of Queens was transported by “Le Triomphe,” an electric motorized float by De Dion (in 1903!), and prestige automobiles decorated for the occasion accompanied her in the parade. **The organization of the Automobile Club de France** The Automobile Club de France is led by a president, elected from among the club’s members, assisted by members sitting on the various ACF councils. The president of the “Cercle,” as it is internally known, is elected by and from an Executive Committee of 24 members, themselves appointed by the general assembly. **How the Automobile Club de France operates** The club is administered and managed by an Executive Committee. The Board of Directors consists of the ACF president, four vice-presidents, and the General Delegate for Automobile Activities. The “Cercle” also has an advisory board and several committees (finance, interior, sports, games, automobile activities, etc.). The ACF has reciprocal agreements with many foreign clubs (the Royal Automobile Club of London, the Union Club of New York City, the Jockey Club of Argentina, etc.). The Automobile Club de France has 2,185 members, all men. The ACF was one of the Parisian gentlemen’s clubs created at a time when British cultural influence was still strong in France and worldwide. Today, it retains its spirit and codes: high moral standards for members, co-optation, non-mixed membership, mandatory dress code, emphasis on cultural and recreational activities, and the primacy of conversation. While women cannot join the Automobile Club de France, they may, as spouses, attend certain club activities. **Joining the Automobile Club de France** Sponsorship is mandatory (2 sponsors and 7 co-sponsors). A 12-member candidacy committee, whose names are not disclosed, reviews the application and appoints a rapporteur who meets the candidate at their home. The candidate, accompanied by their two sponsors, is then presented to this committee for an interview. The board then holds a secret ballot, where one negative vote cancels three positive ones. Admission is only final after approval by the president. Since its inception, the President of the French Republic, the Sovereign of Monaco, and the King of the Belgians have been honorary members. **The Automobile Club de France’s heritage** The Automobile Club de France owns the Hôtel du Plessis-Bellière and the Hôtel Cartier, with club premises overlooking Place de la Concorde in Paris. The façade, with its majestic peristyle, is classified as a historic monument. The ACF boasts a library housing nearly 50,000 books, a swimming pool designed by Gustave Eiffel, a gym, a theatre, a cinema, a lounge bar, a restaurant, an open-air terrace, and several salons. The fencing hall, one of the oldest in Paris, remains in use (the International Fencing Federation was founded at the ACF). The ACF also owns a luxury campsite, Domaine des Naïades, in Grimaud, Var. The Automobile Club de France offers its private clientele (businesses or individuals) its expertise in organizing weddings, family meals, family events, or professional meetings. With salons ranging from 20 to 600 m², this ideal setting allows for the creation of high-end events, combining indoor spaces and a terrace offering breathtaking views of the historic monuments of this royal square. The diversity and quality of the salons make it possible to offer all types of entertainment: private concerts, dance evenings, artistic, fun, or interactive activities, tailored to your desires and your sense of celebration. Our chef teams