For more than 30 years the famed Retromobile show has been responsible for breaking up more relationships than any other car show on earth. Think about it. It's Valentine's week; you're in Paris with your girlfriend; and you take her to a car show. Bad move - unless you're looking for a new model, in which case it’s inspired.

At long last, after 35 years, the organisers have made a huge concession to romance and brought the show forward to 22-31 January. Now it's purely for car lovers. Without doubt the star of the show was the 1925 Bugatti Type 22 that had risen after 70 years from the depths of a lake to sell for £227,000. That just shows there's romance in rust.

Retromobile is elegance personified, backed by major manufacturers who put on stunning displays. Citroen celebrated 40 years of the SM in style; Mercedes¬-Benz brought a priceless 300SL Gull-wing prototype; and Peugeot showed there's nothing new under the sun with a beautiful 1930s 601 hard-top retractable; Mazda celebrated 90 years with a great display including the R360 coupe of 1960 and very rare 1970 Cosmo, first generation Wankel rotary Mazda.

This year special displays included fascinating displays of classic film production company vehicles and urban transport including a 1905 double decker Autobus. With clubs, top dealers, trade stands, a famed model car fair and an autojumble and collector's market on the second weekend, Retromobile is one of those you need to do before you die.