Sightseeing in Paris by DS

Paris offers many famous attractions, but how about experiencing them in a Citroën “DS”? Born in Paris and produced from 1955 to 1975, it’s a world-renowned car. Among automobiles, it’s a truly valuable “heritage” that still runs today. And now, you can tour Paris in it.

Many of our readers will already know the Citroën DS, but it was France’s representative luxury sedan, favored by the French president, government officials, and business leaders of the time. Its style, however, was exceptionally unique, even likened to a spaceship. It was the work of designer Flaminio Bertone, who also designed the “2CV,” making for an interesting contrast.

The DS was revolutionary not just in appearance. Its suspension system used hydraulics. It was technically sophisticated. Unlike the usual combination of cylindrical dampers and coil springs using oil or compressed air, it employed a unique suspension system utilizing the repulsion between nitrogen gas in spheres and pressurized hydraulic fluid.

The brakes also used a hydraulic system, with virtually zero play in the pedal. Citroën explained that these features were designed to reduce driver effort and fatigue, enabling safer, continuous driving.
This service, offering sightseeing tours of Paris in a chauffeur-driven Citroën DS, is called “DS World Paris.” Several courses are available, starting from €240 for 1 hour and 30 minutes (approximately ¥32,400 at ¥135 to the euro) up to €445 for 3 hours (approximately ¥60,000). While it might seem expensive, the car can accommodate up to four passengers excluding the driver, so dividing the cost by four makes it a worthwhile price.

The DS models used range from the original round-eyed DS19 to the DS21, which adopted four headlights after a facelift in '67, and even the more powerful DS23. The interiors vary from beautifully restored soft fabric seats, close to the original, to more modern finishes. Unfortunately, you cannot specify which model you get.

I boarded the DS in front of the DS (the current brand) store, located on a street behind the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The French driver asked, “Where would you like to go?” I replied, “I’d like to see both the past and present of Paris.”

A Magic Carpet That Barely Feels Road Imperfections

The DS parked in front of DS World was striking for its extremely low ride height, almost appearing to have zero ground clearance. However, as the driver started the engine, the rear suddenly lifted with a whir, followed by the front, bringing it to a normal car’s height. This was due to the hydraulic pump activating the suspension system.

Given the car’s 4.8-meter length, the rear seats are surprisingly spacious. There’s ample legroom and headroom. The low seatbacks of the front seats might also contribute to this visual impression. I recall watching Alain Delon, playing a politician in the 1974 film “La Veuve Couderc,” frequently using a telephone mounted on the front seatback. As a primary school student then, I was astonished by the idea of a car phone.

Sitting on the soft, comfortable seats, channeling Alain Delon, the ride quality is exceptionally smooth. I’ve driven various DS models many times before, but I may not have sat in the rear seats with fabric upholstery. I imagined that if a magic carpet existed, it might feel like this—a ride so smooth it barely registers the bumps in the road.

“Shall we start with the Eiffel Tower?” the driver suggested. Being in his twenties, he might have been born around the time Citroën released the “XM” in '89. It feels like a different era. When asked about his experience driving the DS, he replied, “It’s fun because it’s so different from other cars.” The power-assisted steering returns to center on its own if you ease your grip, and the semi-automatic transmission can be jerky if you shift up after over-revving. But once you get used to it, the handling is indeed easy and “fun.”

A Luxurious Tour Appreciating One's Own Automotive Heritage

The DS engine remained an old OHV design until the very end. While Germany, Italy, and Japan, among others, saw significant advancements in engine technology during the 60s, moving to SOHC and even DOHC 16-valve systems, the DS eschewed such evolution. It was likely a rational choice. With ample torque at low RPMs, there was no issue as long as high acceleration wasn't the priority.

The muffled, non-metallic sound of the OHV engine had a serene quality. Listening to it, we drove through Paris on a early summer day, heading towards Boulogne. As it was morning, we avoided the heavy traffic on the ring road and arrived quickly. Was traffic similar in the 60s? Cruising at around 70 km/h, the DS’s gentle ride quality was superb.

The roads winding through the Bois de Boulogne were nearly empty, making for another pleasant drive. Frank Gehry’s Fondation Louis Vuitton (2014) seemed out of place in the pastoral setting. However, it shares a certain avant-garde spirit with the DS, which stunned the public upon its debut when fenders were beginning to detach from the main body. Avant-garde has always been a keyword favored by Citroën.

This kind of tour is truly luxurious. France surprisingly understands the value of its own automotive culture, offering tours in the Citroën 2CV as well. I experienced that tour previously, which took us to local Parisian cafes. While the DS tour focused on architecture, it’s enviable that they possess so many cultural assets.

DS World Paris also offers the D Special, a rental car with a simplified interior and specifications, for €240 per 24 hours (within 150km). Extending your journey to the Loire Valley or Champagne on a day trip would surely be enjoyable. With a short practice session on braking, shifting, and cornering, the DS can become a wonderful companion.

DS WORLD PARIS
01 53 57 33
08contact@dsworldparis.fr