Musée des transports urbains, interurbains et ruraux, Transport museum in Chelles, France
The Musée des transports urbains, interurbains et ruraux houses about 70 vehicles on display, ranging from streetcars and trolleybuses to steam locomotives. The collection spans from the 1860s to recent times, showing the progression of public transportation technology and design.
The museum was founded in 1964 by enthusiasts who began their collection with a single streetcar from Versailles in 1957. The holdings grew over time as more vehicles were rescued and restored from communities across France.
The collection shows how people traveled in cities and regions across different periods of French history. You can see the transition from horse-drawn buses to modern vehicles, reflecting changes in how communities moved around.
The museum operates on a limited schedule, so plan ahead to confirm opening dates before visiting. Free shuttle buses run from the station to help visitors reach the location without needing a car.
The collection includes a rare Mekarski motorcar from Nantes, an early electric locomotive from the late 1800s that is among the last of its kind. This vehicle represents an important but often forgotten chapter in the history of electric transportation experiments in France.
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