DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE and de Gaulle's DS 21 PALLAS share Élysée courtyard for Heritage Days
DS Automobiles will show its electric DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE beside General de Gaulle's DS 21 PALLAS in the Élysée Palace courtyard for the 43rd European Heritage Days on 19-20 September 2026.
- 97.2 kWh
- 350 horsepower
- 740 km
- 25 centimetres
What Happened
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, the Élysée Palace opens its doors to the public for the 43rd European Heritage Days. Visitors can follow a route through the President of the Republic's office, the ballroom, the Main Courtyard and the Palace park, and several vehicles used by Presidents of the French Republic will also be displayed in the Main Courtyard. There, DS Automobiles will show DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE alongside a DS 21 PALLAS used by General de Gaulle. DS says the two cars illustrate more than sixty years of a special relationship between the DS, then DS Automobiles, and the President of the French Republic, and bear witness to a unique French automotive expertise combining innovation, comfort and excellence.
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE joined the President of the French Republic's fleet for the 14 July 2026 parade and is the Presidency's first 100% electric official car. Based on DS N°7 AWD Long Range, it is designed as a completely secure mobile office with full armour, a wheelbase extended by 25 centimetres compared with the production model, specially developed hydro-pneumatic suspension, a completely redesigned rear layout and side windows with adjustable tint. Its exclusive Liberty Blue colour is matched by an illuminated DS LUMINASCREEN grille that comes to life in the colours of the French Republic, also reflected on the bonnet badge, the boot lid trim and the wheel centre caps. Inside, Eternal Blue Nappa and Alcantara leather upholstery, watchstrap-finish seats, Light Gold pearl stitching and embossed trim sit alongside an ash wood laser-engraved dashboard with a motif representing Marianne. It is fitted with a 100% electric 350 horsepower E-TENSE drivetrain powered by a 97.2 kWh battery and combined with all-wheel drive, and its development engages skills located in Brittany, Hauts-de-France, Grand-Est, Occitanie and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
97.2kWh
Powers a 100% electric 350 horsepower E-TENSE drivetrain combined with all-wheel drive.
“Bringing together DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE and General de Gaulle's DS 21 PALLAS in the Elysée Palace's Main Courtyard is particularly strong symbolically. These two models, separated by more than sixty years of history, embody the same vision of French excellence expertise. A vision that we at DS Automobiles are responsible for continuing and DS N°7, our latest creation, is today the demonstration of this.”
The DS 21 PALLAS leaves the Javel factory and is put on the road on 2 October 1965 with the registration plate 1737 RX 75, with unique fittings for official use including rear side sun visors, flag holders in the front bumper and rosette and document holders on the dashboard.
The car is used mainly for General de Gaulle's trips between the Élysée Palace and his residence in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.
Sold in November 1967 to the manager of the Colombey-les-Deux-Églises dairy cooperative, it stays in his family until 2021, then changes ownership and is sold at auction in October 2023 before a complete restoration respecting its authenticity.
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE joins the President of the French Republic's fleet for the parade, becoming the Presidency's first 100% electric official car.
The Élysée Palace opens for the 43rd European Heritage Days, with DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE and the DS 21 PALLAS shown together in the Main Courtyard.
- Since the beginning of the Fifth Republic, the DS and SM have been present for defining moments in French history, from General de Gaulle's DS 19 to the large ceremonial cars made by coachbuilder Henri Chapron.
- President François Hollande chose an open-top DS 5 for his inauguration in May 2012.
- In 2017, the DS 7 CROSSBACK PRESIDENTIAL was unveiled for President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration, and DS 7 CROSSBACK ÉLYSÉE, then DS 7 ÉLYSÉE, went on to join the President's car fleet.
- In 2025, DS N°8 PRESIDENTIAL, a 100% electric parade model, accompanied the President during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the 8 May 1945 armistice.
- Since 14 July 2026, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE, a fully electric version, has continued this story as the President of the French Republic's official vehicle.
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE's first official outing on 14 July preceded DS N°7 going on sale by a few weeks. DS describes its new compact SUV as a modern take on the French Art of Travel, with statuesque design, meticulously crafted aerodynamics and extended comfort, and an interior offering generous space, silent operation and a concentration of technology. Since last weekend, DS N°7 has been available for test drives in all DS STORES in France, in a 100% electric E-TENSE version with a range of up to 740 km or with a HYBRID powertrain. This arrival in the network is a major step in the model's sales launch before its presentation at the Paris Motor Show from 13 to 18 October.
Previously from DS Automobiles
Xavier Chardon, already CEO of Citroën, took on DS Automobiles as well from 1 September 2026 and is the DS Automobiles CEO quoted in today's announcement. DS Automobiles also launched a 360-degree 'Put the world on mute' campaign on 30 August to support the DS N°7's arrival in French stores, the same retail rollout this exhibition coincides with.
- Xavier Chardon Appointed DS Automobiles CEO While Keeping Citroën Role
- DS Automobiles launches 'Put the world on mute' ad campaign as DS N°7 arrives in French stores
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of DS Automobiles's official releases.
Why this matters
The display ties DS Automobiles' newest model to more than sixty years of supplying cars to the French presidency, and it lands as the DS N°7 compact SUV reaches all DS STORES in France for test drives. Buyers there can now try the 100% electric E-TENSE version, which DS says offers up to 740 km of range, ahead of the model's Paris Motor Show appearance.
Terms in This Story
- E-TENSE
- DS Automobiles' branding for its electrified powertrains.
- Hydro-pneumatic suspension
- A suspension system that uses hydraulic fluid and gas rather than conventional steel springs to absorb road bumps.
- European Heritage Days
- An annual event in which historic and official buildings across Europe open their doors to the public.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.