Support
Henri-Jacques Citroën
Grandson of André Citroën, he represents the Citroën family and works day in day out to keep the memory of their illustrious grandfather alive, one of the most emblematic French industrialists of the last century!
“The 100th anniversary of the start of La Croisière Noire (28 October 1924 – 26 June 1925), also known as the “Citroën Central Africa Expedition”, organised by my grandfather André Citroën, is approaching. This centennial will be celebrated with a new crossing of Africa created by Éric Vigouroux.
With his team they will have the onerous task of carrying André Citroën’s banner high, reminding us of the importance of this ‘Croisière Noire’, which enabled us to gain a better understanding of this continent, open up communication routes and bring people closer together.”
Ariane Audouin-Dubreuil
Daughter of Louis Audouin-Dubreuil, second-in-command of all the Citroën adventures, she has published some very fine works on all these exceptional expeditions, including a superb book “La Croisière Noire”, published in 2014.
“To Éric Vigouroux, whom I received with joy and great interest, to evoke a distant and wonderful Africa. May his expedition be rich in discoveries, encounters and powerful images, just as La Croisière Noire was 100 years ago, so that we remember it with emotion.”
Citroën and Audouin-Dubreuil are the great names behind La Croisière Citroën. Henri-Jacques and Ariane were immediately drawn to Éric Vigouroux’s project and did not hesitate to lend him their support. They will also be taking part in public relations events to remind people of the incredible story of La Croisière Noire expedition of 1924. Their involvement is a huge honour and a great encouragement for Éric and his team.
Bertrand Piccard
A legendary dynasty carrying on a tradition of scientific exploration and protection of the environment, Bertrand Piccard putting his reputation as an explorer and his sensitivity as a doctor at the service of progress, the environment and quality of life.
With his dual identities as a doctor-psychiatrist attentive to the origins of problems and an explorer in search of new ways of thinking, Bertrand has become a voice listened to by the biggest institutions. One of the first to look at ecology from the angle of profitability, he became United Nations Ambassador for the Environment and Special Adviser to the European Commission.
“I have agreed to support the candidacy of Éric Vigouroux to become an active member of the Société de Géographie Française. I think his commitment over the last few years to promoting more responsible mobility through a number of valuable initiatives deserves to be encouraged. One of the aims of the Croisière Verte will be to demonstrate once again that by travelling lighter you can go further and still significantly reduce your carbon footprint! “
The French Explorers Society (SEF) was founded in 1937 by renowned explorers, including Louis Audouin-Dubreuil, who was the second-in-command of all the Citroën Cruises.
The SEF is open to those who share the idea that life itself is an adventure. Its objective is to bring together exploration, scientific research, and human adventure, with a focus on progress and sharing. It also aims to affirm and transmit the values of the spirit of adventure, exploration, and discovery to the general public, notably through partnerships, the creation of events, and by supporting the emergence of new expedition projects by granting them its sponsorship.
The fact that the French Explorers Society has decided to grant its sponsorship to La Croisière Verte is a true recognition of which Eric Vigouroux and his entire team are particularly proud.