Car Cleaning in France

[Stark999]

So I’m very much into car detailing and was wondering if such services would be available in France on our way through? We are staying in Lyon the first night and would like it cleaned after our first full day and then see how we get on. I’m more likely to want to book these in before the hotels!!

[Hughesie]

Plenty of self service car jet washes - i just do it myself but yes there are places that do detailing - book ahead though !

[Stark999]

Thanks that’s perfect. Just want to get 3 full washes maybe, dependent on the weather of course. Going in Maybso hoping will be good.

[blueg33]

I may be odd. But IMO there is something great, in fact almost romantic about a dusty fly covered car that has crossed a country. I rarely clean mine on road trips for this reason. The more exotic the car, the better it looks when dusty.

[seefarr]

blueg33 said:

I may be odd. But IMO there is something great, in fact almost romantic about a dusty fly covered car that has crossed a country. I rarely clean mine on road trips for this reason. The more exotic the car, the better it looks when dusty.

Agreed, cars that have been used look better. My road trips are for driving followed by drinking beer although we have pressure washed the car on holidays once after getting cow-mud sprayed up the sides...!

We pulled up in Eurotunnel on the way back from Austria near this brilliant yellow 996 GT3 that was positively gleaming! It's like he's just had it detailed, even everything on the inside was pristine. Here's my mucky filth-bag for contrast:

[EVR]

I would love to be like you guys that like a dirty car, but if possible I would like to have it like the day it was new, all time, everywhere. An ugly rabbit hole to fall down in!

[blueg33]

I love a clean car all of the time except for on continental road trips. My cars are typically washed weekly, they are all paint corrected and ceramic coated to get the shine

[CSK1]

Stark999 said:

So I m very much into car detailing and was wondering if such services would be available in France on our way through? We are staying in Lyon the first night and would like it cleaned after our first full day and then see how we get on. I m more likely to want to book these in before the hotels!!

If you are staying in Lyon, I can certainly recommend the Aston Martin dealer there, certainly worth a visit. They have been awarded best European Aston Martin Dealer for their excellent service.
They re located. In the center of town but are in the process of moving on the outskirts of town.
The current location is wonderful though, very much like a small garage as in the old days.
The managing director Frederic Blanc is a great guy and David Pinto, the workshop manager is also top notch.
As an example, while my car was in for a service, they noticed the ASM fluid pipes were in a very bad state with a risk of leaking fluid. Usually I plan a service just ahead of an AMOC meeting and I needed the car the following day. The head mechanic worked over hours until late in the evening after the usual closing hours to make a bespoke metal pipe to replace the worn ASM pipes just to get me going and be able to attend the meeting. Just as a temporary solution awaiting the arrival of the spare part they had ordered in the meantime.
Who in this day and age offers this kind of service?
Just incredible.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with AML, their dealer network or this particular dealer. Just sharing personal experience.
I m sure they d clean the car for you or recommend someone who would.
Or you could just use one of France s many jet wash facilities such as Elephant Bleu.

Edited by CSK1 on Tuesday 24th February 21:20

[Stark999]

Thanks for that and if they are still around in Lyon I’ll make a visit to them because I need somewhere to part overnight. Not worried but would like it somewhere safe. Could use jet washes but don’t want to have to take a bucket, wash mits, drying towels etc

[CSK1]

I can recommend Intercontinental Hotel in Lyon.
They park your Aston in their secure private car park.

[LunarOne]

Depending on where you are in France, some people can react quite negatively to expensive cars. Showing wealth with ostentatious flashy cars is really not the done thing there. But a dirty dusty car that looks well used won't attract the same negative attention. I'd avoid washing until you are home.

Edited by LunarOne on Wednesday 25th February 00:43

[Stark999]

It’s funny you say this Lunar as my brother in law says there are very very few flashy cars in Paris even. I remember going with my Porsche 718 and that got a lot of attention a few years ago. Let’s see and hopefully no real issues

[RDMcG]

Agree on dirty cars..mine in Zell am See, Austria.

By the end of the week it had gained a pound or two of dirt and slush.............

[LunarOne]

Stark999 said:

It s funny you say this Lunar as my brother in law says there are very very few flashy cars in Paris even. I remember going with my Porsche 718 and that got a lot of attention a few years ago. Let s see and hopefully no real issues

My office is in Paris and I'm there every few weeks. When I'm there with my car I park under the church at Place de la Madeleine where there are quite a few nice cars tucked up. But you rarely see nice cars driving around, even in the swankier areas. I have a Gulf orange 981 and it attracts a LOT of attention in France - both good and bad. I've had people walk into lamp posts because they're so busy gawping at the car.

[EVR]

CSK1 said:

If you are staying in Lyon, I can certainly recommend the Aston Martin dealer there, certainly worth a visit. They have been awarded best European Aston Martin Dealer for their excellent service.
They re located. In the center of town but are in the process of moving on the outskirts of town.
The current location is wonderful though, very much like a small garage as in the old days.
The managing director Frederic Blanc is a great guy and David Pinto, the workshop manager is also top notch.
As an example, while my car was in for a service, they noticed the ASM fluid pipes were in a very bad state with a risk of leaking fluid. Usually I plan a service just ahead of an AMOC meeting and I needed the car the following day. The head mechanic worked over hours until late in the evening after the usual closing hours to make a bespoke metal pipe to replace the worn ASM pipes just to get me going and be able to attend the meeting. Just as a temporary solution awaiting the arrival of the spare part they had ordered in the meantime.
Who in this day and age offers this kind of service?
Just incredible.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with AML, their dealer network or this particular dealer. Just sharing personal experience.
I m sure they d clean the car for you or recommend someone who would.
Or you could just use one of France s many jet wash facilities such as Elephant Bleu.

Edited by CSK1 on Tuesday 24th February 21:20

Interesting, and good to know! My car has been serviced and had a couple small problems resolved at AM Lyon before I bought it last august.

[Stark999]

The most annoying aspect of driving in Paris is having to drive all the way over to the left of the fast lane so that people on motorbikes can drive past on the inside with their hazards on in traffic jams. Me worrying about my mirrors.

[EVR]

Stark999 said:

The most annoying aspect of driving in Paris is having to drive all the way over to the left of the fast lane so that people on motorbikes can drive past on the inside with their hazards on in traffic jams. Me worrying about my mirrors.

Tell me about it. I lived in Paris for 6 years, first with a Range Rover Sport then with a Maserati GranTurismo. I have never drove in a worst place, considering I drove in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Rome, Milan, Naples, Kenya, Portugal and probably more places I forgot about. Paris was and still is the worst for me.