Where the Supercars Are Hiding at the 2026 Paris Motor Show

The Paris Motor Show is one of the oldest car shows in the world. It began in 1898, and for most of the years since, the halls at Porte de Versailles have been the place to see the newest Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches under the spotlights.

The 2026 edition, the 91st, runs October 12–18, with Monday reserved for accredited press and the public days running Tuesday through Sunday. Visitors heading to Paris for the latest from Maranello and Sant’Agata should know about a change this year.

The Big Names Are Skipping Their Stands

Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren and Lamborghini are not among the exhibitors this year. Their reasoning is practical. The Paris show is aimed mainly at the general public, many of whom come to shop for their next car, while sports and prestige brands prefer other events and formats for reaching their own clientele.

Much of the floor space has gone to newer arrivals instead. More than twenty Chinese manufacturers are expected, up from about ten in 2024. Many of these brands will be unfamiliar to Western buyers, and it’s worth walking past their stands to see where the mass market is heading.

For supercar fans, though, the most important part of the show is in Hall 7.1.

Inside the (Un)limited Hall

The organizers have come up with their own answer to the missing exotic stands. The (Un)limited space, backed by Passion Supercars, is a 700 m² showcase in Hall 7.1 that will bring together exceptional cars from Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche.

This may actually be a better way to see these cars. A factory stand shows one brand’s current model line, while a curated hall can put cars from rival brands side by side. That setup feels closer to a concours or a private collection than a dealership. Visitors can compare a Bugatti with a Lamborghini without walking across the whole expo center.

For a lot of attendees, this hall will be the main reason to buy a ticket.

France Brings Its Own Flair

The home team is present as well. Alpine has confirmed it is attending and is expected to show its full range: the A290, the A390, and the A110, even though A110 production has recently ended. The most interesting item may be what comes next. Visitors are expected to see some elements of the next-generation A110. The A110 is one of the best lightweight sports cars of the past decade, so any preview of its successor is worth seeing.

Lotus is also in the lineup. Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Kia, Honda, Lotus, BYD and Xpeng share Hall 6. Plan to visit Hall 6 and Hall 7.1 together; between them they hold nearly everything an enthusiast would want to see.

What This Says About the Exotic Car Business

The empty spaces where Ferrari and Porsche used to be are not a sign of trouble. They show how high-end brands now reach their buyers. They put their launches into private client events, Monterey Car Week, invitation-only unveilings and specialist shows, where everyone in the room could plausibly buy the car.

A show that attracts half a million people is great for brand awareness, but a hypercar with a seven-figure price tag doesn’t need awareness. It needs a small room of qualified buyers and a glass of champagne. Paris has recognized this and built a hall that lets everyone else enjoy the cars anyway.

Planning Your Visit

Tickets range from 13 to 24 euros, which makes this one of the most affordable ways to see a Bugatti up close. The show is open 9:30 to 20:00 Tuesday through Thursday, stays open until 22:00 on Friday and Saturday, and closes at 18:30 on Sunday. The Friday and Saturday late openings give visitors a chance to see the pavilions lit up at night.

Our tip: Go to Hall 7.1 on a weekday morning, before the crowds build. It’s the busiest area for anyone with a phone camera, and the cars look far better without a hundred people in front of them.

The Paris show may have fewer factory stands for supercars than it did in the past, but the exotics are still there if you know where to look.