The Mondial de l'Auto, one of the oldest and most famous motor shows on the planet, is coming back to Paris in October 2026, and France Today is giving away ten pairs of day tickets to the event.
The show runs at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 12 to 18 October 2026, with public entry opening on Tuesday 13 October. Winners will each get admission for two people on one day between Tuesday 13 and Friday 16 October, subject to availability.
This is no niche gathering. The 2026 edition expects more than 100 exhibitors and over 60 vehicle manufacturers spread across five halls. Expect new model debuts, rare and exceptional cars on display, and a heavy focus on where motoring is heading next — electric tech, future mobility and the innovations manufacturers want the public to actually see and touch.
One of the more interesting additions is the Test Center, where visitors can try out selected new automotive innovations in real-world conditions rather than just staring at them behind rope barriers. There are also interactive experiences, entertainment and special displays running throughout the week.
The Mondial's pedigree is part of the appeal. It was first held in Paris more than a century ago, making it a genuine piece of automotive history rather than just another trade fair. For 2026 it aims to pull together design, performance, innovation and future mobility under one roof on the edge of the French capital.
Why should a traveller care? Even if you're not a petrolhead, the show makes a solid anchor for an autumn city break. Mid-October in Paris means mild weather, fewer crowds than summer, and an easy metro ride from central Paris to the Porte de Versailles venue. Pair a day at the show with the city's museums, cafés and autumn parks and you've got a trip that works for mixed groups — one partner browses electric concept cars while the other books a table in Saint-Germain.
If you want to be in with a chance of free entry, head to France Today's competition page and enter before the draw. Everyone else can buy tickets directly through the Mondial de l'Auto's official channels once sales open — weekday sessions early in the public run (13–16 October) are likely to be quieter than the closing weekend.
The show sits at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in the city's 15th arrondissement, well connected via Line 12 of the métro and multiple bus routes, with plenty of accommodation options nearby if you'd rather stay on the Left Bank than pay centre-of-Paris rates.
Full competition details and entry are via France Today.
