After enjoying the many Steam Rallies that take place during the summer in north Buckinghamshire it was a pleasure to see that the same countryside pursuits take place here in rural France. Someone had told me that there are no historic tractors and farm machinery displays in France since all such machines are still in full time use……..

So it was that we pitched up at Souvigné in early August for “Les Vieilles Mécaniques en Folie” (The Old Machines Extravaganza). Whilst not quite on the same scale as The Bloxham Steam Rally, the presentation of interesting, weird and wonderful exhibits was very similar to such events back in England. The big difference was that the day was hot and dry and the fields not muddy.

Steam driven machinery at work

In the main arena were a huge variety of steam driven machines: threshing, log splitting, limestone crushing, to name a few, with some fine examples of English as well as French tools.

The front half of a huge log saw

This one is from Ashton under Lyme, but what is it?

and this one is from Toulouse

Meanwhile, there were plenty of trucks and tractors:

Un vieux camion

Some running……

…. and others not!

Other means of transport from times gone by:

Oxen and cart

A bicycle, but not as we know it

What you’d expect to see at any Steam Rally:

A running, un-silenced 12cyl tank engine

Mother and babies

And, of course, there was the display of classic cars:

Citroën Traction and Renault 4CV

Stunning Alfa and a hot Simca

The bourse d’échanges (auto jumble – every rally has one) yielded some period pieces to go with the Citroën DS back at home …….

Period LHM container – perfect fit!

….. great buy for 5€!

There are many flea markets, rallies etc. throughout the year around the region, why not stay in one of our gites and experience some!