General De Gaulle’s DS 21 to be displayed at the Élysée Palace for European Heritage Days
On Saturday September 19 and Sunday the 20th 2026, the Élysée Palace will open its doors to the public for the 43rd European Heritage Days. As visitors to explore the President of the Republic’s office, the ballroom, the Main Courtyard and the Palace park, several vehicles used by Presidents of the French Republic will also be on display in the Main Courtyard. One of them will be the 1965 DS 21 PALLAS used by General de Gaulle.
Alongside the DS21, DS Automobiles will show the new DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE that has been available for test drives in all DS Stores in France. It comes in a 100% electric E-TENSE version, with a range of up to 740 km, or with a HYBRID powertrain.
As this a DS Automobiles promoted event, Stellantis marketing continues to disavow any mention of Citroën when referring to de Gaulle’s DS. They describe the event as folllows:
Brought together in the heart of the Palace, these two cars illustrate more than sixty years of a special relationship between the DS, then DS Automobiles, and the President of the French Republic. They also bear witness to the continuity of a unique French automotive expertise 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
Joining the President of the French Republic’s fleet for the July 14, 2026 parade, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE is the Presidency’s first 100% electric official car.
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.
Leaving the Javel factory on September 29, 1965 and put on the road on October 2, 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 have been there for 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, then DS 7 ÉLYSÉE, since became part of the President’s car fleet.
In 2025, DS N°8 PRESIDENTIAL, a 100% electric parade model, accompanied the President of the Republic during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the May 8, 1945 armistice.
Since July 14 2026, a DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE, fully electric version, has continued this story as the President of the French Republic’s official vehicle.
DS N°7 is in DS STORES
The first official outing of DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE, last 14 July, preceded DS N°7 going on sale by a few weeks.
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 concentration of technology transform every trip into a First-Class journey.
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 October 13 to 18.