Beaulieu’s Simply French C’est Fantastique!

Barry Lowdell with Sylvie Planchard
and his 1973 Citroen SM 3L

Last weekend, visitors to Beaulieu were once again transported to France as crowds of French vehicles formed a colourful display in the attraction’s picturesque parkland for the second Simply French rally.

All the major French marques were represented, with Renault, Citroën and Peugeot all present, as well as some of the lesser known manufacturers such as Facel, Simca and Panhard. Members of the DS3 Club and Citroën Car Club also attended in large numbers.

Show sponsors, Citroën UK, created a wonderfully traditional French atmosphere, encouraging visitors to step into their special Café Citroën, with its red and white check clothed tables, where delicious French patisseries and coffee were served throughout the day. Traditional French music played in the background and a caricaturist and mime artist kept visitors entertained. On display outside the Café were a number of stunning models from Citroën’s current range, including a five-door DS4 coupé, a DS5 – voted Top Gear’s Family Car of the Year 2011 - a compact C1 city car and new C3.

Citroen DS3 DSport belonging to artist Peter Vaillant

Another eye-catching vehicle on display was a Citroën DS3 DSport which has been used as a canvas by artist and photographer, Peter Vaillant, to showcase his artwork. Peter has covered the car in a piece titled La Primavera from his Four Seasons series. Peter wanted a car that would be stylish, comfortable and individual, and chose the DS3 for its dynamism and shape. The car is now a moving piece of art and can be seen on the roads as Peter drives between his home in Devon and his London studio.
Throughout the day, visitors to Beaulieu were asked to vote for their favourite French vehicle on display in the People’s Choice awards and in the afternoon the top eight most popular vehicles took part in a cavalcade through the grounds of the National Motor Museum before Citroën UK Events Coordinator, Sylvie Planchard, presented the prizes. Barry Lowdell from Hatfield, Hertfordshire won with his gold 1973 Citroën SM 3L, and received a Beaulieu Trophy. Barry repairs SM models for a living with his family business, BL Autos and is a member of the Citroën Car Club.

Runners-up, Des Collins from Wareham with his blue Renault Alpine and Jim Baumann from Sarisbury Green with his blue Renault Caravelle, each received an Autoglym pack as a prize, as did Lisa McCurdy from St. Albans, the winner of the voters’ prize draw, into which all those who voted in the People’s Choice Awards were entered.