The Quiberon peninsula on the southern coast of Brittany (56 Morbihan, Bretagne) hosts the annual Solex Rally – “Le rallye Solex de Quiberon“ on the second Sunday of September 15 September 2024 – a fun run for those iconic petrol-driven mopeds which were so popular in post-war France. Funny costumes, wacky races and a general celebration of an idiosyncratic French mode of transport. Festive gathering of the moped crazy decorations and sparkling costumes. Departure 2:30 p.m. from Place Hoche, return to Chanard Boulevard
The peninsula is an attractive spur of land with sandy beaches and marinas – and is the departure point for Belle-Ile (beautiful island), the largest and one of the most beautiful islands off the Brittany coast.
Jutting out into the sea for 9 miles (14km) and just 72ft (22m) wide at its narrowest point, the Quiberon Peninsula is a tourist destination par excellence. With its rugged coastline, sweeping sandy beaches, fishing villages and rich cultural history, this beautiful area of Morbihan won’t disappoint. brittany-tourisme.com
For more info on Belle-Ile see Belle Ile on FrenchDuck
For more info on the Solex Rally see http://en.quiberon.com
Solex was created in 1905. At that time, it only manufactured carburetors for buses.
In 1940, Marcel Mennesson had a prototype built for a vehicle equipped with a motor on the front wheel. The 38 cubic cm engine was outfitted with a roller transmission, carburetor and tank, and mounted on 700-millimetre wheels.
It was only after the Second World War that Marcel Mennesson and Maurice Goudard started manufacturing the VéloSolex. This cost-effective means of transport quickly became extremely popular in those difficult economic times in France.
Production launched in April of 1946 in a factory near Paris, at a rate of 15 units per day.
With its reasonable price and simple, plain design, it lent itself well to daily use for transportation and leisure.
From 1946 to 1988, more than 8 million VéloSolex were sold in over 70 countries.
The birth of an icon and a legend
Production ceased in 1988, following a number of successive acquisitions.
In 2004, the French group Cible purchased the brand with a view to marketing the E Solex, an electric bicycle designed by Pininfarina.
Solex International Cycle, which sells products in more than 10 European countries and in Japan, is now looking to penetrate the North American market. solex bikes.com
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