EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS: DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE AND GENERAL DE GAULLE’S DS 21 PALLAS TOGETHER IN THE ÉLYSÉE PALACE’S MAIN COURTYARD

• For the 43^rd European Heritage Days, taking place on 19-20 September 2026, two emblematic DS models will be on show in the Élysée Palace’s Main Courtyard (Cour d'Honneur), highlighting  the longstanding relationship between DS and the Presidency of the French Republic

• Having joined the President’s fleet for the 14 July 2026 parade, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE will be exhibited  alongside the DS 21 PALLAS used by General de Gaulle between 1965 and 1967

• This exhibition comes at a key moment for the official launch of DS N°7’s, coinciding with its arrival across all DS STORES in France

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, the Élysée Palace will open its doors to the public for the 43^rd European Heritage Days. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the President of the Republic’s office, the ballroom, the Main Courtyard and the Palace park. Several vehicles that have served the Presidents of the French Republic will also be on display in the Main Courtyard.

In this exceptional setting, alongside a DS 21 PALLAS used by General de Gaulle, DS Automobiles will showcase DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE. Brought together in the heart of the Palace, these two cars illustrate more than sixty years of a special relationship between the DS brand, and subsequently, DS Automobiles - and the Presidency of the French Republic. They also reflect the continuity of a unique French automotive heritage combining innovation, comfort and excellence.

“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 contuinuing and DS N°7, DS N°7, our latest creation, is today the demonstration of this.”

Xavier Chardon, DS Automobiles CEO

DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE: a new chapter in presidential history

Introduced to Presidency’s fleet for the 14 July 2026 parade, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE is the French Presidency’s first fully electric official vehicle.

Designed as a secure mobile office, this exclusive design meets the requirements of the presidential role. Based on DS N°7 AWD Long Range, it features full armour, a wheelbase extended by 25 centimetres compared to the production model and specially developed hydro-pneumatic suspension to offer a high level of comfort and handling.

Its completely redesigned rear layout, enhanced safety equipment and adjustable tint side windows allow the Head of State to work and travel in the utmost comfort.

DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE features the exclusive Liberty Blue colour. Its illuminated DS LUMINASCREEN grille comes to life in the colours of the French Republic, which is also reflected on the bonnet badge, the boot lid trim and the wheel centre caps.

Inside, the Eternal Blue Nappa and Alcantara® leather upholstery, the signature watchstrap upholstery design, the Light Gold pearl stitching and the embossed trim highlight the expertise of DS Automobiles’ craftspeople. The dashboard has ash wood laser-engraved trim with a motif representing Marianne.

Fitted with a 100% electric 350 horsepower E-TENSE drivetrain, powered by a 97.2 kWh battery and combined with all-wheel drive, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE is also a showcase for the French industrial sector. Its development engages skills located in Brittany, Hauts-de-France, Grand-Est, Occitanie and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

General de Gaulle’s DS 21 PALLAS: a witness to history

Shown alongside DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE, the DS 21 PALLAS used by General de Gaulle recalls the origins of the special relationship between this symbolic model and the Presidency of the Republic.

Built at the Javel factory on 29 September 1965 and first registered on 2 October 1965 with the registration plate 1737 RX 75, this special car featured unique fittings for its official uses: side sun visors in the rear seats, flag holders integrated into the front bumper plus rosette and document holders on the dashboard.

It was mainly used 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 remained in his family until 2021.

After changing ownership and then being sold at auction in October 2023, this DS 21 PALLAS has undergone a complete restoration carried out respecting its authenticity. Its presence in the Élysée Palace’s main courtyard thereby provides a direct link between French automotive heritage and carrying out the presidential role under the Fifth Republic.

A presidential tradition carried on for more than sixty years

Since the beginning of the Fifth Republic, the DS and SM models have accompanied some of the most defining moments in French history. From General de Gaulle’s DS 19 to the large ceremonial cars made by coachbuilder Henri Chapron, this relationship has continued over the decades.

More recently, 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. DS 7 CROSSBACK ÉLYSÉE followed by DS 7 ÉLYSÉE, subsequently joined the Presidential fleet.

In 2025, DS N°8 PRESIDENTIAL, a 100% electric parade model, accompanied the President of the Republic during commemorations for the 80^th anniversary of the 8 May 1945 armistice. Since 14 July 2026, the fully electric DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE has continued this tradition as the official vehicle of the French Presidency.

DS N°7 is in DS STORES

The DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE made its first official appearance on 14 July, just a few weeks before the DS N°7 went on sale.

DS Automobiles’ new compact SUV, DS N°7 embodies a modern take on the French Art of Travel. Its statuesque design, its meticulously crafted aerodynamics and its extended comfort make it the new ambassador for driving serenity and the brand’s refinement. Inside, the generous space, the silent operation and its technology transform every trip into a First-Class journey.

Since last weekend, DS N°7 has been available for test drives in all DS STORES in France. Whether in a 100% electric E-TENSE version, with a range of up to 459 miles, or with a HYBRID powertrain, DS N°7 is designed to meet the needs of customers seeking a distinctive premium SUV.

This arrival in the network is a major step in DS N°7’s sales launch, before its presentation at the Paris Motor Show from 13 to 18 October.

IMAGES & VIDEO available to download HERE 

ENDS

PRESS CONTACTS

Krystyna Perry – Head of PR DS Automobiles UK krystyna.perry@stellantis.com 07710 062 783  

Manesh Taank – PR Manager DS Automobiles UK manesh.taank@stellantis.com 07841 569 038  

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES

Founded in Paris in 2014, DS Automobiles is a premium brand aiming to embody the French art of travel. Thanks to an exceptional heritage, exemplified by the 1955 DS and enriched by the wealth of French Expertise, DS Automobiles offers a global and diverse range with DS 3, N° 4, N°7 and N°8.

Designed for clients seeking something different, who want to travel the world and enjoy every moment, DS creations stand out through their charismatic style, interior refinement, sophisticated technology and first-class comfort. Combined with a suite of bespoke services, they offer a unique brand experience before, during and after each journey.

With numerous records in Formula E between 2016 and 2026, including two double teams’ and drivers’ titles, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of electrification and sells each of its models in an electrified version. The brand offers 100% electric drivetrains as well as self-charging and plug-in hybrids with up to 350 horsepower and 4-wheel drive. In 2025, DS Automobiles is accelerating its transition to electric by launching N°4 with up to 279 miles of range, N°7 with up to 459 miles of range and N°8, the new DS flagship providing up to 466 miles of range.

Present in nearly 40 countries, the DS brand has an exclusive distribution network that includes 420 DS STORES around the world.

Follow news from DS internationally on www.dsautomobiles.com    @ds_automobiles

Follow news from DS on www.DSautomobiles.co.uk @DS_UK