The world of Tintin, the famous Belgian comic book hero created by HergĂ©, is coming to the National Museum of Mulhouse with an exceptional exhibition that will delight comic book fans and automotive culture enthusiasts alike. « In the Car with Tintin » offers an immersive look at the vehicles that punctuate the globetrotting reporter’s adventures. This exhibition highlights the close relationship between Tintin, his adventures around the world, and the vintage automobiles that accompany them, symbols of the era and technological audacity.
The National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection, renowned for its remarkable vehicle collection, lends a new dimension to its spaces by unveiling life-size models of iconic cars featured in the Tintin albums, starting with the legendary Bugatti 35 from « Tintin in America. » Visitors can also take a closer look at the Thompsons’ famous 2CV and a rare Triumph Herald convertible from « The Black Island. » This experience offers more than just vehicles: drawings, original plates, sketches, and immersive scenographies enrich the discovery, bringing to life the stories of travel and exploration that forged the legendary adventures of the reporter.
A unique exhibition combining Belgian comics and automotive culture at the National Museum of Mulhouse
In the heart of Alsace, the National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection has established itself as a leading venue for the promotion of vintage automobiles. The year 2025 marks a major milestone thanks to the exhibition « In the car with Tintin, » which bridges the gap between Belgian comics and the history of automotive mechanics.
This initiative is based on a close collaboration with the HergĂ© Foundation, ensuring a faithful approach to the creator’s work. The exhibition presents a selection of authentic vehicles alongside exact reproductions of the cars seen in the albums. This juxtaposition allows us to better appreciate the influence of cars on the world of Tintin and the way HergĂ© relied on real models to enrich his stories of travel and exploration. A few figures help to understand the scope of the event:
More than 20 vehicles on display, including exceptional models such as the Bugatti 35 and the Peugeot 403
- Some thirty original plates and sketches by Hergé unveiled
- An immersive scenography, including a three-dimensional replica of the famous red and white checkered rocket, over six meters high, installed in the museum gardens
- An exceptional duration: the exhibition runs until November 11, 2025, giving everyone time to discover it in depth
- The stated objective is clear: to pay tribute both to the ingenuity of car manufacturers and to the spirit of adventure and discovery that characterizes Tintin. The journey invites visitors to travel through decades and continents, visit after visit, with an accessible approach full of surprises for families and experts alike. Key Features đ
Details đ
| Number of Vehicles on Display | More than 20 models, both real and replica |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Duration | April 5 – November 11, 2025 |
| Collaboration | Hergé Foundation |
| Location | National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection, Mulhouse |
| To discover all the details of this unique exhibition, please visit the official website of the National Museum of Mulhouse. | Tintin’s iconic vehicles, symbols of exploration and adventure at the National Museum of Mulhouse |
Tintin is above all a globetrotter, an adventurer who travels the world in search of stories and discoveries. His universe teems with diverse means of transportation, but automobiles hold a very special place. They often embody an extension of the characters’ personalities or a key element in the unfolding of plots. In Mulhouse, visitors can admire legendary cars, both for their aesthetics and their importance in the stories. Among the models on display are:The
Bugatti 35
(« Tintin in America »), a symbol of 1920s motor racing, ideal for capturing the audacity of times gone by.
The rare
- Triumph Herald convertible , which appeared in « The Black Island, » reflects the elegant and sophisticated side of the 1960s. The
- Peugeot 403 , a model well-known to fans of the series, renowned for its robust character. The Thomson family’s CitroĂ«n 2CV, which became an icon in its own right in « The Calculus Affair. »The yellow Ford Model T seen in « Tintin in the Congo, » recalling the era of automotive pioneers.
- The Amilcar, behind the wheel of which Tintin becomes a rally driver, demonstrating his spirit of adventure and competition. These vehicles allow visitors to appreciate the technical and stylistic evolution of automobiles while immersing themselves in an atmosphere of travel and adrenaline. Each car offers a true window onto an era and a culture, perfectly in line with the themes of the albums. Vehicle đïžAssociated Adventure đ§
- Model Year đ Special Feature âïž Bugatti 35
- Tintin in America 1920s Legendary Racing Car
- Triumph Herald Convertible The Black Island 1960
Rare and Elegant Model
| Peugeot 403 | Several Adventures | 1950s | Robust and Popular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citroën 2CV | The Calculus Affair | 1950s-60s | Cultural and Humorous Icon |
| Yellow Ford Model T | Tintin in the Congo | Early 20th Century | Symbolic of the early days of the automobile |
| Amilcar | Rally and competition | 1920s-30s | Historic rally car |
| To delve deeper into this selection of vehicles and understand their importance in the world of Tintin, this photo report offers an interesting visual exploration: | Dive into the automotive world of Tintin | . | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbcyhRSfwLM |
| An immersive scenography combining original documents and replicas at the National Museum of Mulhouse | The « In the car with Tintin » exhibition is not limited to a simple presentation of vehicles. It relies on an immersive staging that combines several media and documents for a lively and interactive story. Visitors can admire: | Numerous original plates by Hergé, showing the evolution of his drawings and the importance of detail in the depiction of automobiles | Sketches and preparatory sketches that highlight the precision and research behind each album |
| Life-size replicas, such as this impressive red and white checkered rocket, signifying the spirit of innovation and science fiction that Tintin fans and car enthusiasts appreciate | Miniature objects and toys, recalling Tintin’s place in popular culture and the childhood of entire generations | An integrated sound and visual staging for an immersive experience symbolizing the journeys and rallies that Tintin experiences throughout the pages | This scenographic approach aims to delight the viewer, ensuring that the visit is not only informative but also emotional. The exhibition is thus an invitation to a journey between art, history, technology, and storytelling. Materials on display đ |
Description đ Original platesHergĂ©’s drawings illustrating automobiles
Plot and technical research
Life-size replicas
- Cars and an Iconic Rocket
- Miniature Objects
- Vehicles and Toys Associated with Tintin
- Sound Design
- Immersive Travel and Rally Atmosphere
For a realistic anticipation of the visit, the article in Le Parisien offers a richly detailed account.
| The Role of HergĂ©’s Passion for Automobiles in Creating the Adventures of Tintin | HergĂ©’s fascination with automobiles is undeniable. Each album is full of vehicles that are not mere accessories, but characters in their own right. This passion fuels the realism and modernity of the stories, making Tintin’s travels even more believable. |
|---|---|
| Here are some reasons why automobiles play a prominent role in the Tintin stories: | Hergé relied on existing models to lend authenticity to the adventures. |
| The choice of vehicles often corresponds to the period and geographical context of the story. | Certain cars become emblems, allowing us to better grasp the characters’ traits or the atmosphere of the story. Car races and rallies symbolize the hero’s dynamism and spirit of adventure. |
| The automobile is an important vehicle for the themes of exploration, speed, and technical challenges. | These elements demonstrate how inseparable automotive culture is from the world of Tintin, and why the exhibition at the Musée National de Mulhouse is more relevant than ever. It helps us understand the logic of a work that combines dialogue, drawings, travel stories, and a passion for mechanics. |
| Aspects of the automobile in Tintin đ§ | Impact on the stories âïž |
| Authentic models | Increased realism and credibility |
Geographic contextualization Better immersion in the locations Symbols and emblems
Strengthened characters and atmosphere
Races and rallies
Dynamics and suspense
- Exploration and technical challenges
- Central themes of the adventures
- To deepen your understanding of HergĂ©’s passion and its influence on his work, the reading offered in
- Pleine Vie
- perfectly illustrates this connection between Belgian comics and vintage automobiles.
| A must-see cultural event for travel and car rally enthusiasts | Beyond the simple exhibition, « In the Car with Tintin » attracts an audience that is at once adventurous, passionate about travel, and a fervent admirer of classic automotive culture. The atmosphere of the National Museum of Mulhouse, with its vast spaces and prestigious collection, lends itself perfectly to such an immersion. The program also includes: |
|---|---|
| Lectures on car rallying and racing history, connecting the spirit of Tintin with real exploits on roads and circuits | Workshops for children, introducing young people to comics, mechanics, and automotive history |
| Themed guided tours, highlighting the cultural and technical richness of the collections | Meetings with Belgian comic book specialists and classic car experts |
| This exhibition is fully in line with a philosophy of sharing knowledge and democratizing culture in all its forms. It also serves as a reminder that the automobile is an object steeped in history, which, through its role in Tintin’s stories, retains a special place in the collective imagination. Activities đŻ | Descriptions đ |
| Lectures | History of rallies and links with Tintin |
| Workshops for children | Discovering the profession of artist and mechanics |
Guided tours Thematic tours around vehicles and comics Meetings with experts
To plan your visit or obtain practical information, we recommend consulting the official Mulhouse Tourism website
which details the prices, opening hours, and access to this major cultural event.
Frequently asked questions about the « In the Car with Tintin » exhibition at the Musée National de Mulhouse
- What are the museum’s opening hours during the exhibition?
- The museum is open every day except Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition runs from April 5 to November 11, 2025.
- Can tickets be purchased online?
- Yes, online tickets are available on the official website of the
MusĂ©e National de l’Automobile
| . It is recommended to book in advance to avoid queues. | Are there activities for children? |
|---|---|
| Fun and educational workshops are offered for younger visitors, allowing them to discover both the world of comics and the world of automobiles. | Can I take photos in the exhibition? Yes, taking photos without flash is permitted, in order to share the visit while respecting the works and objects on display. |
| What are the main vehicles not to be missed? | The Bugatti 35, the Triumph Herald convertible, the Thomson and Thompson Citroën 2CV, and the spectacular replica of the red and white checkered rocket are among the must-sees. |