Filter

Wishing you a joyful Easter with a PreWarCar parade

We came across this charming photo taken somewhere in France, not long before what we now know as the Second World War. Sadly, we have no solid clues about its exact date or location—only that it was most likely captured during the Easter season. Judging by the spectacle, that car and its oversized trailer (is that a giant chicken?) must have been the stars of that year’s Easter Parade. Honestly, who wouldn’t want their photo taken with such a delightful sight?

 

It made us wonder: do these parades still happen today? To our surprise and delight, the answer is yes. In many French towns, Easter Parades—Défilés de Pâques—are still very much a thing, and they haven’t changed all that much over the decades. But it doesn’t stop there. All across rural France, springtime brings with it a burst of life and color: processions, local fêtes, and cheerful celebrations marking the end of winter and the return of sunny days.

Have any of you taken part in these festivities with your own classic car dressed up for the occasion?

As for the vehicle in the photo—though it's missing its headlights, it certainly looks like a Traction Avant, proudly towing that enormous feathered float.

 

Happy Easter, everyone!

 

Words by: Jeroen Booij
Photo source: Unknown

 

Published:
Sunday April 20th, 2025
Neville Watkin
21 April 2025, 01:20
The "tractor" towing the float certainly looks like an early Avant, missing not only its left headlight but also its whole front bumper?
Read more
Michael Schlenger
20 April 2025, 20:47
To me, this photo rather looks like an early post-war shot. The dull paintwork suggests that the towing car was a former military vehicle. As we know, the German occupying forces confiscated large numbers of the superb Traction Avant cars and incorporated them into their military fleet. This particular car might have been one that had been left behind when the German troops hastily left France. Attached is a photo showing such a confiscated Citroen with German soldiers in the early stage of the war.
Read more
John Ball
20 April 2025, 13:10
On the basis that the Traction Avant came out in 1934 and the war started in 1939, l don’t believe this to be a pre-war picture as the car could not have been in such a poor condition when so new even if the maximum of five years old. I suggest this is probably just post-war or even 1950s.
Read more

Make a comment, ask a question, give your opinion, share additional information or start a discussion by filling in the fields below.


Log in to post your comment directly

Upload images to your reaction