After the symbolic departure from the Paris Motor Show, La Croisière Verte team set off across France, following in the footsteps of La Croisière Noire, initiated by André Citroën, 100 years ago.
On Wednesday 16 October 2024, Éric, Maarten, Antonia and Alexandre took the symbolic start of La Croisière Verte. An expedition that will take them to Cape Town, South Africa, after 14,000 km across the African continent.
La Croisière Verte at THE EXTRA MILE by EQUIP AUTO
La Croisière Verte team’s first stop was at THE EXTRA MILE by EQUIP AUTO, one of the expedition’s partners.
It was an opportunity for Éric Vigouroux to share more details about the expedition’s objectives before continuing on their way.
A symbolic journey in France
Before the official departure, scheduled for 28 October 2024 in Ouarzazate, Morocco, Éric and his team have been travelling through France. The programme includes stops at several agents of the Groupement National des Agents Citroën (GNAC) and symbolic stages for the members of the expedition. Lempdes, Le Puy-en-Velay, Éric Vigouroux’s home town, as well as Saint-Urcize, Meyrueis and Lunel. Each stop is an opportunity for the whole team to share the story of La Croisière Verte.
Meet David Paulin, Citroën agent, in Lempdes
As they crossed France, Éric and his team stopped off at various agents belonging to the Groupement National des Agents Citroën (GNAC).
The first of these was David Paulin, Citroën agent in Lempdes, who gave the team a warm welcome.
A tribute to René Metge in Saint-Urcize
On the way, it was a moving moment to take the time to pay tribute to René Metge, friend and mentor of Éric Vigouroux.
It was at Saint-Urcize, where René Metge, who died in January, is buried, that his children Élodie and Jonathan welcomed the whole team and shared a special moment. All the members of La Croisière Verte were keen to show their friendship to René who, as well as being a legend of the Paris Dakar, was also the organiser of legendary rally-raids. It was René who taught Antonia, Alex and Éric everything they know and gave them their taste for adventure. It’s an inheritance that has all its meaning in this great adventure, which Éric has been preparing for two years now and in which René believed.
A strong link with history, at the Malafosse garage
At the Malafosse garage, Éric Vigouroux and his team had a date with history.
A meeting that Henri-Jacques Citroën, grandson of André Citroën, could not miss. 100 years ago, La Croisière Noire was tested in this garage. And nothing, or almost nothing, has changed. The team was welcomed by the Giraud brothers, Alain and Pierre, owners of the garage, for a moment out of time.
A stopover in Lunel at the home of Vincent and Thibaud Brunel, Citroën agents
A festive moment for the Croisière Verte team.
A stopover at the Brunel garage, where Vincent and Thibaud Brunel, Citroën agents, were waiting for Éric and his team. In the presence of Henri-Jacques Citroën, the garage celebrated its 70 years of partnership with the brand in the most beautiful way. It was a moment of great emotion and sharing for the whole team.
Vitrolles, the last stop before embarking for Morocco
Before getting on the boat, Éric Vigouroux and his team had the immense pleasure of being welcomed by Cyrille Hallier, Citroën agent in Vitrolles and President of the Lyon regional management.
It was an emotional moment, as this was the team’s last stop in France before heading to Africa.