Tractions to Tackle the Tracks of the Crosière Jaune

The legendary Paris to Pekin Citroën expedition is being revived for next year. The organization T3 EXPÉDITIONS is planning a spectacular journey to recreate the Croisière Jaune (Yellow Expedition) of 1931, which is considered a milestone in automotive history.

This time, five historic Traction Avants will make the trek traversed originally by Citroën Kegresse half-tracks.

One of the Tractions was on display last week at Retromobile in Paris with expedition leader Eric Massiet du Biest, an experienced organizer with a record of 70 major continental expeditions.

Eric’s Traction has had a few modifications made to it for the trip. These include fitting an ID19 engine, a 3 core radiator and mounting a spare coil.

There and back;

This time it won’t be only a one-way trip. The team will embark on a 45,000-kilometer tour from Paris through the Middle East to Beijing and back via India to France. However, this journey is much more than just a nostalgic revival of a historic route. The mission is divided into two symbolic sections:

The outbound journey (March – July 2026): From Paris to Beijing, paying homage to the pioneers of the Croisière Jaune, with the aim of exploring history, culture, and geopolitics from a modern perspective.

The return journey (July – September 2026): From Beijing through India back to Paris, with a clear humanitarian mission: supporting research against multiple sclerosis. Each week, affected individuals will be invited to be part of this journey.

Automotive legends on a grand tour

At the heart of the expedition will be five Citroën Traction Avant vehicles, true icons of automotive engineering, renowned for their robust technology and charm in the classic car scene. Each vehicle has a specific function:

Challenges of a modern expedition

The route will cross 20 countries, confronting the team with extreme conditions: freezing cold, scorching heat, high-altitude passes up to 5,885 meters, rough deserts, and unpredictable political situations. Yet, according Eric, these challenges define the adventure and lead to a central guiding principle:

^{“The greatest danger is doing nothing.”}

A journey of reflection and sustainability

Beyond the spirit of adventure, environmental awareness plays a key role. The team actively strives to reduce its carbon footprint and documents ways to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, which can also be implemented in everyday life.

Tradition meets modernity

A particularly exciting aspect is the idea of comparing iconic photographs from the 1931 Croisière Jaune with modern images. Using original techniques, locations and scenes will be recreated—creating a visual bridge between two centuries and a unique historical document.

An adventure that makes history

KÉGRESSE 2026 is more than an expedition—it is a tribute to pioneers, an engagement with our world, and a statement for the courage to embrace the new. Stay tuned as the promised route unfolds—and the adventure begins!

You will be able to follow the expedition’s progress daily. Check out the website: www.kegresse.fr