30th June we spent on the road on the way to Switzerland. Our route took us through Mulhouse, where we found the best automobile museum in Europe! It was a very pleasant surprise.
The French National Automobile Museum showcases over 600 rare antique cars from about 100 different brands, many of which are now part of history. It has the world’s most complete collection of French cars made from 1878 to 1950 and features 123 Bugatti models. The museum’s creation is linked to the passion of the Schlumpf brothers for cars.
One brother, Fritz Schlumpf, who owned textile factories, began collecting cars as a hobby. After their mother died in 1957, his interest turned into an obsession, and he aimed to create the greatest car collection in her memory.
Fritz spent a lot of money buying and restoring cars, turning one factory in Mulhouse into a secret car museum. From 1966 to 1976, only 33 special guests were allowed to visit. In 1974, he announced plans to close the factories and focus solely on the museum.
Eventually, the brothers’ business went bankrupt. The city bought the museum from the liquidators and declared the collection a historical monument. Fritz fought in court to regain the museum, but he was unsuccessful. The National Automobile Museum opened to the public in 1982. Fritz died in Switzerland in 1992 at age 86, never seeing his collection again. In 1999, the French government paid 40 million francs and returned 62 cars to his widow by court order.
Our main stop on June 31 was Lucerne. Like most large Swiss cities, it is situated on the shore of a lake. It is said that the first settlement appeared here during the Roman Empire. Lucerne was the first major city to join the Swiss Confederation in 1332. It is a charming city nestled in the foothills of the Alps, exuding a sense of peace that makes you want to stroll more slowly.
Lake Vierwaldstättersee is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland. This name was first used in the 16th century; prior to that, the entire lake was known as “Lake Lucerne,” which remains the term used in English. The modern name literally means “Lake of the Four Forested Settlements,” which is often translated into English as forest cantons.
The French National Automobile Museum showcases over 600 rare antique cars from about 100 different brands, many of which are now part of history. It has the world’s most complete collection of French cars made from 1878 to 1950 and features 123 Bugatti models. The museum’s creation is linked to the passion of the Schlumpf brothers for cars.
One brother, Fritz Schlumpf, who owned textile factories, began collecting cars as a hobby. After their mother died in 1957, his interest turned into an obsession, and he aimed to create the greatest car collection in her memory.
Fritz spent a lot of money buying and restoring cars, turning one factory in Mulhouse into a secret car museum. From 1966 to 1976, only 33 special guests were allowed to visit. In 1974, he announced plans to close the factories and focus solely on the museum.
Eventually, the brothers’ business went bankrupt. The city bought the museum from the liquidators and declared the collection a historical monument. Fritz fought in court to regain the museum, but he was unsuccessful. The National Automobile Museum opened to the public in 1982. Fritz died in Switzerland in 1992 at age 86, never seeing his collection again. In 1999, the French government paid 40 million francs and returned 62 cars to his widow by court order.
Our main stop on June 31 was Lucerne. Like most large Swiss cities, it is situated on the shore of a lake. It is said that the first settlement appeared here during the Roman Empire. Lucerne was the first major city to join the Swiss Confederation in 1332. It is a charming city nestled in the foothills of the Alps, exuding a sense of peace that makes you want to stroll more slowly.
Lake Vierwaldstättersee is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland. This name was first used in the 16th century; prior to that, the entire lake was known as “Lake Lucerne,” which remains the term used in English. The modern name literally means “Lake of the Four Forested Settlements,” which is often translated into English as forest cantons.
