2024 is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the Sino-French Year of Culture and Tourism, as the official certification of the French Embassy in China and the blockbuster project of the Sino-French Year of Cultural Tourism, the "From the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles, Tribute to the Orient" team initiated by DPCA will enter the "Paris of the East" Shanghai on April 15 after passing through Beijing, Qufu and Nanjing.
A tribute to great legends, from the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles
He Yong, press spokesman and general manager of the brand development center of DPCA Automobile Co., Ltd., introduced that the "Oriental Journey" is a great legend in the history of automobile development. In 1931, the Citroen convoy set off from France, lasted 10 months, traveled 12,000 kilometers, crossed the Eurasian continent, and came to the red wall and blue tiles of the Forbidden City in Beijing, composing a "legend of human travel", leaving a heavy mark in the history of people-to-people exchanges between China and France. Starting with the "Oriental Journey", a seed was planted in China. In 1992, this seed took root and sprouted, and DPCA was born as a joint venture with the French Citroen Automobile Company, which was then known as China's Second Automobile Factory.
He Yong, press officer of DPCA and general manager of brand development center
As two century-old brands deeply rooted in China, originating from France and enjoying a global reputation, Citroen and Peugeot have accumulated and inherited profound car-making heritage, brand culture and innovation genes in the course of development. In the 32 years since its establishment, DPCA has gained more than 6.37 million "bosom friends" through a series of conscientious products full of personality, fashion and elegant French charm, and has continuously continued, enriched and expanded Sino-French culture, providing a platform and carrier for people-to-people exchanges between China and France.
93 years later, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the year of Sino-French cultural tourism, Dongfeng Citroen and Dongfeng Peugeot, starting from the Forbidden City in Beijing, crossed the Eurasian continent and went to the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France, connecting Sino-French friendship with wheels and paying tribute to the oriental journey.
After departing from Beijing on April 1, the team traced the source of Confucianism in Qufu, Shandong, the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, and tasted the golden mean of the century-old brands Citroen and Peugeot.
In Nanjing, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, taste the tea to feel the customs and customs, appreciate the dragon rhyme of the intangible cultural heritage cloud brocade fabric, and convey the French charm of personality, fashion and elegance.
On April 15th, we sailed into Shanghai, the "Paris of the East", to explore the charm of Chinese and French culture. Next, "From the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles" will also pass through Wuhan, Chengdu, Kashgar and other domestic regions, as well as overseas countries such as Italy, Switzerland, France, etc., and finally assemble at the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
Discover the charm of France and meet the "Paris of the East"
Shanghai, known as the "Paris of the East", is one of the most important stops on this great journey from the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles. Whether it is the historical origin, cultural accumulation, or the pursuit of exquisite and elegant attitude to taste life, Shanghai and French cars have a tacit understanding that goes without words.
Shanghai Sinan Mansion, as a representative of French-style architecture, has attracted many celebrities to live in the past 100 years, including Zeng Pu and his son, Feng Yuxiang, Zhu Shaoliang, Mei Lanfang, etc. No matter from the aspects of the building itself, history, culture, etc., Sinan Mansion is a cultural landmark that can best show the French style of "Oriental Paris". During the "From the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles" convoy into Shanghai, it gathered with many gods and goddesses at Sinan Mansion to appreciate Chinese and French design, experience French life, taste Yue Opera culture, and explore the charm of Chinese and French culture.
Innovation is the most distinctive character of Shanghai. Shanghai is also a world-class "City of Design", and the Stellantis Group China headquarters is also located in Shanghai. In Sinan Mansion, Zhang Guozhu, an automobile designer from the China Design Department of Stellantis Group, tasted the innovative designs of the century-old brands Peugeot and Citroen together with "Shenlong Bosom Friend". Both Citroen and Peugeot are highly innovative car brands, and many of the models designed are bold and individual, known as "walking works of art", which complement the innovative city of Shanghai.
Zhang Guozhu, automotive designer of the Stellantis Group's China Design Department
Shanghai is known as the "Paris of the East", more because of the fit in its bones: the pursuit of refinement, elegance and taste of life. In Sinan Mansion, Du Yi, a French aristocratic etiquette expert and international senior food consultant, shared French food etiquette, coffee etiquette and a taste lifestyle full of personality, fashion and elegant French charm with "Shenlong Soulmate". Du Yi said that as well-known brands in France, Citroen and Peugeot have been in and out of the Elysee Palace many times and have been appointed by the French president as the royal car. Emmanuel Macron, the youngest French president in history, chose the Peugeot 5008 as the car used for the inauguration ceremony. French cars are comfortable, safe and reliable, healthy and environmentally friendly, full of personality and taste, and can be said to be a necessary conscience car for the pursuit of a taste life.
Du Yi, a French aristocratic etiquette expert and an international senior food consultant
Shanghai is also a philharmonic city, one of the cities with the richest music and art culture and the highest concentration of musical talents in China. When it comes to Shanghai's musical art, we have to mention Yue Opera, which is the second largest opera in China, known as the second national opera, known as "Chinese opera" abroad, and also known as "the most widely circulated local opera". Tang Xiaoling, deputy head of the Red Chamber Troupe of Shanghai Yue Opera Theater and a descendant of the Lu faction, also explored the unique charm of Yue Opera with the "Shenlong Bosom Friend" in Sinan Mansion, and sang the Yue Opera classic "Liang Zhu" on the spot.
Tang Xiaoling, deputy head of the Red Chamber Troupe of Shanghai Yue Theater and a successor of the Lu faction
The Yue opera "Liang Zhu" interprets the love story sung through the ages, which can be said to be the Chinese version of "Romeo and Juliet", full of romance, personality and taste.
In Sinan Mansion, a French girl who loves traditional Chinese culture, French Alley, also sang her own translation of Su Dongpo's classic poem "Water Tune Song Tou Bright Moon" in French.
A French girl who loves traditional Chinese culture — French Alley
As two car brands originating from France, Dongfeng Citroen and Dongfeng Peugeot have always played the role of "messengers" between China and France, and continue to continue, enrich and expand Chinese and French culture through cars full of personality, fashion and elegant French charm;
Experience extraordinary strength and enjoy the "taste of life"
As the most French-style city in China, Shanghai has many French elements, including a variety of bold and innovative French-style buildings, romantic French plane trees, fashionable and trendy art, authentic French food, and comfortable coffee life.
With the "From the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles" convoy driving into Shanghai, Dongfeng Citroen Automobile also brought Dongfeng Citroen 2024 Versailles C5 X, Tianyi C5 AIRCROSS, as well as Dongfeng Peugeot's new 408 Lulang, new 508L, new 5008, 408X and other models full of French charm. Together with "Shenlong Soulmate", we will trace the cultural history in Shanghai, excavate classic stories, experience the historical changes, economic development and customs of "Oriental Paris", and explore more tasteful life full of personality, fashion and elegant French charm.
In this era of the automotive industry, the market for fuel vehicles is shrinking. However, fuel vehicles are still more excellent in terms of safety and reliability, cruising range and driving performance, especially suitable for long-distance travel and users who pursue driving pleasure. DPCA hopes that through the "Journey from the Forbidden City to the Palace of Versailles and Tribute to the Orient", more people can understand the meaning and mission of the existence of French fuel vehicles.