Automobile Club of France
The Automobile Club of France (French: Automobile Club de France) (ACF) is a men's club founded on November 12, 1895 by Albert de Dion, Paul Meyan, and its first president, the Dutch-born Baron, Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt.
The Automobile Club of France, also known in French as "ACF" or "l'Auto", was initially located near the Paris Opera and benefited from a villa in the Bois de Boulogne. In 1898, the club moved to the exceptional site of the former "Place Louis XV" (currently Place de la Concorde) in order to offer its members more comfort in a prestigious setting. The club still occupies more than 10,000 square meters in the Hotels du Plessis-Bellière and Moreau, both located between the Hôtel de Crillon and the Hôtel de Coislin, where France signed a treaty by which it became the first nation ever to recognize the independence of the United States.
The members of the Automobile Club of France enjoy several lounges, a swimming-pool, a gym, a library containing more than 45,000 references, a movie theatre, bars, and dining-rooms. Numerous activities are offered, among which yoga, squash, shooting, billiards, fencing. The facilities also include a hair salon and a travel agency.
On January 16, 1906, the French Automobile Club licensed the département of Sarthe to organize an auto race. Their historical action marked the beginning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the French Grand Prix. Organized Grand Prix motor racing evolved to become the Paris-based Formula One organization. The 100th anniversary of the event was marked by the government of France issuing a commemorative coin as seen here.
From 1906 to 1914 the Club regulated major races in France and established the rules for the annual national race dubbed a Grand Prix that was open to competitors from any country. World War I disrupted racing in France until 1921 at which time the national event returned under the official name "ACF Grand Prix" (French: Grand Prix de l'A.C.F.). This name was used until 1967 when it was changed to French Grand Prix.
Today, the club maintains its head office and top notch facilities on the Place de la Concorde in Paris headed by Charles Luthi, General Director & General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.
Eminent members
- François Bujon de l'Estang, former French ambassador to the United States
- Michel David-Weill, former head of Lazard Frères in Paris and New York
- Jean-Martin Folz, former CEO of Peugeot
- Carlos Ghosn, chairman & CEO of Renault and Nissan
- Alain-Dominique Perrin, CEO of Richemont
- Roland Peugeot, former chairman of Peugeot
- Baron Guy de Rothschild
- Baron Ernest-Antoine Seilliere de Laborde, CEO of Wendel and former head of Medef
- Frantz Taittinger
- Gerard Wertheimer, co-owner of Chanel
Key people
- Robert Panhard, President of the Automobile Club de France
- Charles Lüthi, General Director and General Secretary of the Automobile Club de France.
