A coastal call for Swedish steel
On June 7–8, 2025, the quiet port town of Étel in Brittany will roar with the unmistakable turbocharged symphony of Saab engines. This isn’t just a local car meetup—it’s a nationally coordinated celebration of a brand that, despite its dormancy, refuses to fade from the road or memory. Behind this bold initiative is Michel Yann, a mechanical engineering teacher at the Lycée des Métiers Émile-James in Étel and a lifelong Saab aficionado.
What started as a modest idea to bring together a few classic car lovers quickly evolved into a major event uniting Saab clubs from across France. Clubs from Normandy, Alsace, Provence, and even Corsica are expected to descend on Étel’s harbor, forming a convoy of vintage turbocharged icons in a town better known for its fishing boats than forced induction.
The man behind the movement: Michel Yann
Michel Yann isn’t a celebrity in the traditional sense. He’s not a YouTube car reviewer or a high-profile collector. But in the tight-knit world of French Saab preservationists, he’s become a central figure. His background in technical education and love for mechanical integrity align perfectly with the Saab brand’s philosophy: function-driven design, safety, and individuality.
As Yann explained to local press, “This gathering is about more than just cars—it’s about connection, discovery, and memory. These vehicles tell stories, and we’re making sure those stories continue.” His personal Saab, a meticulously maintained SAAB 900 Classic in Scarab Green, is widely regarded as one of the finest examples in western France.
A rare national gathering for a rare brand
Saab’s presence in France has historically been niche. Despite the brand’s enthusiastic following in Scandinavia, the UK, and parts of the US, French roads were never flooded with 9-3s or 9000s. But the small and fiercely loyal Saab France community has kept the brand alive through regional meetups, online forums like Forum Saabistes de France, and the efforts of legacy mechanics who refuse to let the brand die.
The Étel gathering is unique because it crosses club boundaries. Events like these are rare outside of international EuroSaab events, such as the IntSaab annual gathering (this year hosted in Alps). Michel Yann’s event could mark a turning point for future French Saab meetups, possibly even leading to France hosting its own IntSaab in the future.
What to expect at the Étel Saab gathering
Scheduled to begin at 17:30 on both Saturday and Sunday, the event takes place at the town’s scenic Pradic parking area near the môle. Expect a lineup featuring:
- Immaculate 900 Turbo 16s, many featuring OEM Carlsson body kits
- A restored 9000 Talladega, one of the few still on the road in France
- Saab 96 and 99 models maintained by original owners
- Saab 9-5ng examples including Aero XWD variants rarely seen on French soil
- DIY-modified 9-3 TTiD models with Hirsch Performance upgrades
Local shops and restaurants have been alerted. Accommodation in the area has reportedly seen an uptick in bookings, and several participants are turning the trip into a full-week vacation, with plans to explore nearby Quiberon, Carnac, and Belle-Île-en-Mer.
French Saab clubs: from online forums to real roads
France has at least five active Saab clubs, each with their own character. The most active ones include:
- Saab Club de France – the most formal and largest
- Les Saabistes de l’Ouest – focused on Atlantic coast regions
- Club 900 France – devoted specifically to classic 900 models
- Saab Heritage France – newer and heavily active online
- Rassemblement Saab en Provence – occasionally organizing regional events
While these clubs traditionally met in smaller, regional groups, the growing awareness of Saab’s increasing collectability has prompted broader collaboration. Saab France’s informal Discord and Facebook groups have been instrumental in getting younger owners (some in their 20s) to take on restoration projects and bring new energy to the community.
The cars that won’t die: French roads still echo with Saab’s legacy
Though Saab production ceased over a decade ago, the brand remains surprisingly resilient in rural and enthusiast-dense regions of France. While urban areas have shifted toward hybrids and EVs, regions like Brittany, Dordogne, and the Rhône-Alpes still feature Saabs in daily use—especially the dependable 9-5 Aero wagons, often seen with tow hooks and roof boxes, echoing their original design purpose.
French Saab owners are known for extensive DIY maintenance, owing to the decline in official parts networks. Michel Yann himself teaches his students how to adapt GM and Opel-compatible parts for legacy Saab platforms. The growing availability of reproduction parts from platforms like Skandix and the newly launched SSK Reservdelar AB is now making life easier.
A future fueled by passion and preservation
The Étel Saab meetup is more than a nostalgic celebration. It’s a sign that passion-fueled preservation is entering a new phase in France. If successful, it could spark similar gatherings in Lyon, Strasbourg, or even at the Le Mans Classic—a dream some Saab Club de France members are already floating.
This is Saab culture distilled: resilience, community, and an appreciation for quirky, purposeful engineering. And in a world where car events increasingly lean toward hypercars and influencers, this gathering feels refreshingly authentic.
Final thoughts
If you’re anywhere near western France on the second weekend of June 2025, Étel is where Saab’s heart will beat loudest. With people like Michel Yann leading the charge, the Saab community in France isn’t just surviving—it’s evolving.
The turbo lag might still be there. But the passion? It’s already at full boost.
Want to See How It All Unfolded?
The cars came, the bagad played, the crowd voted, and a squealing Saab 900 was brought back to life with help from fellow enthusiasts.
Turbos, Trophies, and Breton Tunes: How Étel’s Saab 900 Gathering Became France’s Most Charming Car Event This Summer – full event recap, exclusive photos, and everything that made this weekend unforgettable.
