In the Miniatures Journal, I share the history of your favorite models and brands. Over 100 articles, podcasts, and videos to help you learn more about the miniature cars you collect. You'll find anecdotes about specific models, brands, and eras.
Discover the Miniatures JournalThe Blue Route: A Collection of Models that Revives Memories of French Holidays
Dive into the nostalgic world of La Route Bleue Model cars , this iconic collection that transports us to the holiday roads of yesteryear. Here I offer you a carefully chosen selection of these authentic Models, witnesses to a time when going on holiday was synonymous with adventure and discovery. Each model tells a story, that of French families taking the road to the beaches of the Mediterranean or the mountains of the Alps.
Your Specialist Reseller in Collectible Models
As a passionate reseller, I present to you my current selection of La Route Bleue Model cars available in stock. This collection is not exhaustive by nature, as it reflects the models that I have been able to acquire and which are currently available on my shelves. Each Model is present in limited quantity , generally between 1 and 2 copies, which makes each acquisition unique.
My collections are regularly updated according to arrivals and market opportunities. You will mainly find models in 1/43rd , the reference scale for collectors, but also some remarkable pieces in 1/24th and 1/18th for lovers of larger formats, as well as some rare models in HO 1/87th scale . What you currently see represents my entire stock available for sale.
Discover the Richness of This Thematic Collection
The La Route Bleue collection is distinguished by its thematic coherence around French holiday vehicles . You will discover the legendary family estate cars that marked the departures on holiday: the Model estate cars inseparable from paid holidays, the spacious sedans of the 1960s and 1970s , as well as the first 4x4 models that democratized access to the most remote destinations.
This collection particularly highlights iconic French brands : family-friendly Renaults , revolutionary Citroëns with their suspensions, and robust Peugeots that have accompanied generations of vacationers. Each model captures the essence of these vehicles that have shaped the French art of living.
The History of the Blue Route: When France Discovered Vacations
The Blue Route takes its name from the famous blue national roads that led to the Mediterranean coast, which have become legendary in the French collective imagination. This collection pays tribute to a pivotal period in French social history: the introduction of paid holidays in 1936 and their gradual democratization in the following decades.
The years 1950 to 1980 marked the golden age of these summer migrations, when millions of French people discovered for the first time the joys of family vacations. French car manufacturers then developed models specifically designed for these long journeys: spacious trunks, comfortable suspensions, long-lasting engines . This era saw the birth of models that have become legendary, perfectly reproduced in this collection of Models.
The Blue Route also symbolizes the evolution of mentalities and lifestyles. It bears witness to the transition from a rural and hard-working France to a leisure society, where free time becomes a right and vacations a social necessity. These Model cars are therefore much more than simple collector's items: they are privileged witnesses of a societal revolution .
A Touching Anecdote: The "August 1st Traffic Jam" Phenomenon
Who doesn't remember the famous "August 1st traffic jams" that punctuated the French summer? This La Route Bleue collection immediately evokes those iconic images of the endless queues on the national roads, where fully loaded families waited cheerfully, children in the back and luggage on the roof.
These legendary traffic jams became a true social phenomenon , immortalized by the media and comedians of the time. They paradoxically testified to the success of paid leave and the democratization of vacations. Each Model car in this collection could tell hundreds of similar stories: that of the father checking his Michelin map for the umpteenth time, that of the mother distributing sandwiches, that of the children counting the kilometers to the sea.
This sociological dimension makes La Route Bleue a particularly moving collection, because it awakens the collective memory and the personal memories of each person, whether experienced or transmitted by previous generations.
Complete Your Model Collection with The Blue Route
In the world of Model cars, the La Route Bleue collection occupies a unique and precious place . It stands out from collections focused on performance or prestige by its resolutely popular and nostalgic approach. These models naturally find their place alongside other thematic collections such as French cars or classics 1950-1979 .
For seasoned collectors, these La Route Bleue Model cars are an ideal addition to collections of sports or prestige vehicles. They bring a human and authentic dimension that significantly enriches a collection. Social history enthusiasts will find valuable documentary pieces, while lovers of fine mechanics will appreciate the quality of reproduction of these iconic models.
This collection is particularly aimed at collectors interested in French automotive history , those nostalgic for the holidays of yesteryear, but also at young enthusiasts keen to understand the evolution of lifestyles through the automobile. It also constitutes an excellent entry point into the world of collecting for neophytes, due to its accessible aspect and its shared cultural references.
The Perfect Gift Idea for All Enthusiasts
A La Route Bleue Model car is the perfect gift for many occasions. For Father's Day, it will fondly evoke memories of family vacations and first trips. At Christmas, it will bring that touch of nostalgia that warms hearts and sparks conversation around the family table.
For a birthday, choosing a specific model can create a strong personal connection: offering a Model of the same model that the grandparents owned, or one that corresponds to a particular year, transforms the gift into a true Proust madeleine . These Models have this unique power to take you on a journey through time and awaken buried emotions.
Features of Our Products
- Careful packaging : Each product is sold with its base and original protective box
- Noble materials : Made of metal (alloy) for optimal durability and realism
- Remarkable fidelity : Faithful reproduction of the original model with respect for proportions and details
- Secure shipping : Package carefully packaged and protected to ensure damage-free transport
These La Route Bleue Model cars are much more than just a collection: they reflect an era, bear witness to a major social evolution, and above all, they carry within them the magic of memories and holiday dreams that have shaped the French soul.
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Did You Know? Anecdotes and Curiosities about our Miniatures
What is the origin of the name 'La Route Bleue' for this collection?
Why are there mainly French cars in this collection?
What is special about the liveries in this collection?
What level of detail can we expect on these model cars?
Is this collection suitable for beginner collectors?