127 Years Ago, Renault’s Dream Came to Life in Boulogne-Billancourt
This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 127 ans, le rêve de Renault prenait vie à Boulogne-Billancourt" in French.
- 01/10/2025 8:54
October 1, 1898 marks a pivotal date in the history of Renault and French automotive industry in general.
On that day, Louis Renault and his brothers Marcel and Fernand informally founded Renault Frères in Boulogne-Billancourt. At only 21 years old, Louis had already designed his first car, the Type A, an innovative small car with four wheels powered by a direct drive gearbox, which caused a sensation during a demonstration on Rue Lepic in Paris. This event marked the beginning of an industrial adventure that would profoundly transform the automotive sector.
While October 1, 1898 symbolizes the operational birth of Renault, the official date of the company’s creation is February 25, 1899, the day Renault Frères was legally registered… with retroactive effect to the previous October! This formalization confirmed the company’s structure and marked the official launch of its industrial production.
Passion for the Diamond
Renault Frères started with a modest but ambitious capital, and a family organization where Louis handled production and innovation, while Marcel and Fernand took care of administration and commercial management. From the very beginning, the company distinguished itself through bold technical choices and its ability to meet the needs of a rapidly growing market.
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Very quickly, Renault cars established themselves on the roads and in motorsport competitions. Technical innovations, robustness, and performance of the models attracted the public and early customers, establishing the brand’s reputation as pioneering and creative. Today, in 2025, Renault continues to embody innovation and performance, reminding us that it all began 127 years ago, on October 1 in Boulogne-Billancourt, with the dream and daring of three brothers passionate about automobiles.
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