Rubbing shoulders with old chests

at Usine Aillot - Galerie du camion ancien

An exhibition of vintage vehicles and a vintage atmosphere on an authentic industrial site? Head for the Usine Aillot, an essential part of local life.

An atypical place that won’t leave you indifferent!

Visit in retro mode

on a revamped industrial site

As soon as you arrive, all your senses are awakened. First of all, you’re impressed by the site: a large factory built in 1885, made of brick, sheet metal, tiles and metal frames, situated between the railway line and the canal. During your visit, you’ll learn that steam cylinders and steam rollers were manufactured here.

A warm welcome and a heart-warming smile accompany the explanations leading to the start of the tour. And there we are, dropped into the pit of iron giants! We’re overcome by euphoria, and our childlike spirit inevitably resurfaces…

©Montceau Usine Aillot 56 @lesley Williamson Hd|LESLEY WILLIAMSON

©Montceau Usine Aillot 100 @lesley Williamson Hd|LESLEY WILLIAMSON

I came across

a movie star!

It’s like being a small child in this huge hangar, where trucks, buses, vintage groceries, engines and all kinds of equipment rub shoulders… Then, the smell of old mechanics accompanies us, as the vehicles are parked there, one beside the other, these big metal beasts, each more impressive than the last. All you want to do is climb inside and dream, once you’re behind the wheel, that you’re driving off to faraway lands.

Head for the African desert at the wheel of this Berliet GBC 8 6×6 Sahara, the first truck to cross the Ténéré desert, then to open the trans-Saharan lines designed to supply villages and oil sites. Driven by Lino Ventura in the film 100 000 dollars in the sun, the GBC shared the limelight with Bernard Blier and Jean-Paul Belmondo’s other Berliets!

Direction Le Baraillot

for a moment of relaxation

To end your visit on a convivial note, it’s imperative to stop by Le Baraillot, the association bar, to exchange a few words with the enthusiasts of the day.

Here, the decor speaks for itself: the mix of industrial architectural styles and retro decorative objects from the 1910s to the 1980s make this bar a warm place that exudes a je-ne-sais-quoi that makes everyone feel good. The tables are large, generations mingle, tongues are loosened and laughter resounds…

During the summer months, the gallery is enlivened once a month by shows and concerts, much to the delight of visitors and regulars alike.

An atypical place

animated by enthusiasts

François Gambut’s dream of showcasing his truck collection was realized in 2014, with the help of his wife and the members of his association! They imagined a place to visit, but above all a place of exchange and social life for an entire local community.