It has nothing to do with the lunar tank from the album We walked on the Moonbut this technological gem would have pleased Hergé. Before reaching the moon in 2027, the Lunar rover passes through the Imperial City.
THE Compiène castle houses the “flex” lunar rover of Venturi in the Hall of Columns. “I learned that Gildo Pastor, the “boss” of Venturi (a firm which focused its work on the development of clean energy vehicles) was passionate about Jamais Contente,” enthuses Rodolphe Rapetti, director of the Château. The museum’s flagship piece, the Jamais Contente, an electric car designed and driven by Belgian Camille Jénatzy, was the first automobile to reach the 100km/h mark in 1899.
“We lent this car for a Venturi headquarters exhibition in Monaco,” continues Rodolphe Rapetti. In return, Venturi lent us his speed record vehicle (549km/h). When I learned that the firm was working on a lunar vehicle project, I asked Gildo Pastor if he would agree to entrust it to us. He immediately said yes.”
High performance batteries and deformable wheels
The temporary exhibition of this Lunar Rover is part of the recovery plan for the Car Museum, installed in 1927 in the old kitchens of the castle. “Presentations of vehicles of the future are planned next to the historic section,” announces Rodolphe Rapetti. This is a simple presentation. But in the renovation project, there will be a room dedicated to design, with for example exhibitions of results from international design schools.”
This spirit of adventure characterizes Jenatzi’s exploit, just like the raids carried out by Citroën through the Yellow and Black Cruises. The conquest of Space and the Moon is part of this desire.
In 2019, when Venturi launched into electric lunar rovers, its engineers manufactured high-performance batteries. And at the same time on hyper-deformable wheels and therefore without an air chamber. A revolution due to Venturi’s collaboration with the Venturi Astrolab subsidiary in Los Angeles.
Visit included in the ticket and entrance to the castle
The entrance ticket to the Castle and the Car Museum allows you to discover this lunar vehicle.
These guided tours will take place on January 2, 4, 5, 8, 12 and 15, 2025. Price: €5 in addition to the reduced entry ticket, and €4 for those under 26.
For children, a coloring drawing of the Rover Venturi is available in the museum shop. It can be downloaded free of charge from the Château website.
