DS Platinum Jubilee on October 18 and 19 in Paris
DS AUTOMOBILES AND L’AVENTURE DS SUPPORT CLUB PARIDS IN CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DS, AN ICON OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
On 18 and 19 October 2025, Club ParIDS will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the legendary DS with a Platinum Jubilee in the Parc André Citroën (15th arrondissement) and around the streets of Paris.
200 DS models, more than 70% of which will arrive in the capital from various European countries, will be brought together for the occasion.
DS Automobiles and L’Aventure DS are supporting Club ParIDS by exhibiting the concept car DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE, as well as its latest designs, DS N°8 and DS N°4, alongside a number of DS models with remarkable histories.
70 years after its unveiling beneath the glass roof of the Grand Palais, the DS remains an icon of automotive design and innovation. A true French legend, it will be celebrated on 18 and 19 October at the very place of its birth: the Parc André Citroën, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. It was in the Quai de Javel factory, where the park is now situated, that the DS was mostly produced from 1955 until 24 April 1975, the date when the 1,330,755th and final example – a Delta Blue DS 23 Pallas Electronic Injection – left the assembly line on which 1,456,115 DS and ID models were produced from 1955 to 1975.
Organised by the ParIDS Club with the support of DS Automobiles and L’Aventure DS, the DS Platinum Jubilee will be punctuated by numerous highlights around more than 200 cars, all of which will come by road from all over Europe. The public will be able to appreciate cars from the collectors present as well as a selection of rare models shown off in the Parc André Citroën’s large greenhouses.
“In line with the major events organised in 2005 for the 50th anniversary and in 2015 for the 60th anniversary, our ParIDS club is committed to celebrating the 2025 70th anniversary of the DS, the eternal symbol of automotive art and technology. The fact that more than 200 hand-picked DS cars are being brought together in the Parc André Citroën, where the DS was born and manufactured in the former Javel factories, is something that’s particularly stirring. We’ve built our programme in the middle of this iconic place, and we are now looking forward to these two days that will make history for our club.” Didier PARJADIS, Club ParIDS President
DS Automobiles and L’Aventure DS are supporting Club ParIDS
DS Automobiles and L’Aventure DS, responsible for managing DS and SM heritage, are supporting Club ParIDS in organising this historic weekend, making several special models available for the event.
“The DS 70th anniversary jubilee: a remarkable gathering of our historic models, concept car and the latest DS N°8 and DS N°4 newcomers. Automotive heritage looking to the future, always in support of French Excellence!” Xavier PEUGEOT, DS Automobiles CEO
The DS Automobiles exhibition and L’Aventure DS during the DS Platinum Jubilee
In addition to the 200 DS cars gathered for this celebration, DS Automobiles and L’Aventure DS will be exhibiting special models representing the history of the DS as well as the present and future of the Brand in the Parc André Citroën’s greenhouses.
The following DS models will be on show:
DS 19 “ELV 31” – 1955
The oldest known DS in the world
It is a pre-production car built by hand in mid-1955 in a secret location at the Quai de Javel factory. This area was called “Le bocal”, and it was there that the first DS “ELV” models were born, these three letters representing cars not intended for sale. This unique example, which doesn’t have adjustable ride height, initially remained at the factory before serving as a shuttle car between Paris and La Ferté Vidame, where it was then stored for a long time before joining the Aulnay-sous-Bois Museum in 2001, and now L’Aventure DS.
DS 19 Balloons – 1959
Concept car with no engine
This iconic model was initially conceived in 1959 by Claude Puech, then Citroën’s advertising director. A faithful reconstruction was carried out in 2024 by the GARAC (the National School of Automotive and Mobility Professions). The DS Balloons, which was also featured on the poster for the last Retromobile, is a DS 19 in a tortoiseshell blonde colour with a Carrara white roof, identical to the colours chosen in 1959. It sits on four massive balloons instead of wheels illustrating the legendary comfort of the DS. Photos of this visionary concept have been seen around the world, emphasising the DS’s status as an avant-garde and timeless work of art.
ID 19 UK version – 1961
A rare right-hand drive DS
Faced with the consequence of taxes that hit cars imported into the United Kingdom, the French manufacturer preferred setting up its own assembly plant there, in Slough (west of London). Opened in February 1926, this assembled DS models from 1956, including this right-hand drive ID. The regulations that imposed a quota of local parts in the assembly of foreign cars gave a very “British” personality to the models coming off the Slough production lines, their meticulous finish and traditional leather upholstery making them luxurious cars. This ID is therefore completely different from the French versions, both in terms of its front and interior, including a fairly conventional dashboard. This makes it an atypical car that’s an absolute must-see!
DS 21 Pallas – 1968
Concept car with no engine – Corsair Red
In September 1967, all DS models got a new front end with four faired-in headlights. The design of the wings, bonnet, bumper and valance was modified. This exercise was a real challenge for the designers at the Rue du Théâtre (the location of the Citroën design office, Paris 15th). But the French manufacturer therefore once again asserted its advantage and innovative spirit in terms of automotive design, with the famous directional headlights, once more underlining its ability to innovate to make its cars even safer. The model presented was shown at the 1967 Paris Motor Show to promote the new swivelling headlights. Then, for the 50th anniversary of the DS in 2005, it was renovated and opened on the driver’s side to be able to accommodate visitors during events. Several thousand people have already been able to test the comfort of this DS 21 Pallas at various events.
Also on show:
DS N°4, the new DS Automobiles design
It redefines the standards of premium compact hatchbacks with a unique balance of bold design, handling, comfort and advanced technology. DS N°4 is the only premium multi-energy compact hatchback available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or in a new 100% electric E -TENSE version.
DS N°8, the Brand’s new 100% electric flagship offering up to 750 km of range
DS N°8, new 100% electric flagship, offering up to 750 km of range, with handover possible at the EUREXPO test centre. DS N°8 ushers in a new electric era, with a daring design conceived for aerodynamic efficiency, a refined and high-tech interior and total dynamic serenity. DS N°8 is available in PALLAS, ÉTOILE and JULES VERNE Collection specifications with two battery capacities combined with a 2 or 4-wheel drive transmission, for an output of up to 350 hp.
Alongside the concept car DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE
Unveiled in February 2022, this creation is conceived as a very high-performance laboratory aimed at accelerating the development of technology for DS Automobiles’ designs. Designed, developed and created by DS PERFORMANCE – the racing division of DS Automobiles – after winning the Teams’ and Drivers’ titles two years in a row in Formula E, DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE is based on a carbon body, a 600 kW (815 horsepower) dual electric motor and four-wheel drive. The chassis, powertrain and battery feature innovative solutions, tested to fuel the development of future generations of the 100% electric E-TENSE production models. DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE was honoured with the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille Innovation Award in September 2022 and won the Concept of the Year trophy at the GQ CAR AWARDS 2023.
The Platinum Jubilee programme for the 70th anniversary of the DS
The morning of 18 October, from 10 am, will be devoted to welcoming the participants. More than 70% of the cars entered are coming from several European countries, with participants hitting the road from the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy (not a comprehensive list).
After a special lunch for collectors signed up to the event, from 2.30 pm a special concours d’élégance will highlight the DS through a tribute to femininity. Twenty-five special examples will be introduced by passionate women, each submitting their car for evaluation to a prestigious jury chaired by Henri-Jacques Citroën, grandson of the founder of the eponymous brand.
On Sunday morning, a big parade will take place, which will feature the 200 DS cars registered for the event on a unique route through the streets of the capital. The start will be given at the top of Avenue Foch and the route will take them to the Parc André Citroën, after passing in front of the capital’s main historical monuments.
After this parade, the public will be able to view the 200 DS cars at the Parc André Citroën and attend the prize-giving ceremony for the Concours d’Elégance, which will take place from 2.30 pm. This will close these two historic days that will be unforgettable for enthusiasts and make the DS an even greater part of the automobile’s rich history.
