At the Bagnols-sur-Cèze model fair, exceptional pieces for a journey to the heart of human ingenuity

Philippe Tréhard’s incredible ride, made with more than 24,000 matches. C. C. – Midi Libre

Luc Moreau exhibits for the first time in Bagnols. This Lyonnais works exclusively with paper, a method little known in France. C. C. – MIDI MIBRE

Marc Mensage and his new piece, a Stampe. A year of work for this enthusiast who designs the plans for the miniatures he builds. C. C. – Midi Libre

Sabine came with Serge. These two show faithful are several times French model-making champions. C. C. – Midi Libre

Jean-Claude Salert, founder and vice-president of the Miniflotte Gardoise, built the Star Wars robot this year. C. C. – Midi Libre

The 17th edition of the event organized by the Miniflotte Gardoise welcomes 45 exhibitors from all over France, new ones, loyal ones, old ones. Everyone brought their latest creations. To discover this Sunday March 17.

Immediate embarkation into a magical world, that of devices that hover, sail, roll or take off towards the cosmos. Welcome to the 17th edition of the model exhibition organized by the Miniflotte Gardoise. Forty-five exhibitors from the region and all of France are at Les Eyrieux in Bagnols-sur-Cèze this weekend. Passionate people, children at heart, who share their ingenuity and their meticulous know-how. Each one having its own technique, materials… As you stroll through the aisles, you can closely observe submarines and numerous boats for a journey through history. So many exceptional pieces gathered here, on the same site.
Marc Mensage, from the Pujaut Aeromodelling Club (which traveled with numerous large-format airplane models), presents a Stamp, "a legend", designed by Belgians and widely distributed after the Second World War. Marc Mensage worked for a year on its construction. He has been designing and making miniatures since the age of 10! "I draw my plans. I have my own way of building and I recycle: I only work with recycled materials, he says. The vice-president of the Miniflotte Gardoise, Jean-Claude Salert, manufactured this year the BB-8, the robot from Star Wars, which "gibbering, moves its head…&amp ;quot;, controlled by its manufacturer. 

Champions of France, a talented Meccano… 

Louis-Philippe Daronnat, from Valence, notably shows a static steam engine from the 1870s and a canal edge excavator, all in Meccano, " the real one, in metallic ". Forty years that the Drômois has been exercising its Meccano talents.  
Luc Moreau arrives from Lyon. For the first time in Bagnols, he presents his models made entirely of paper. We can see him at work with his lamp, his magnifying glass and his tools. There also planes and the Kennedy space center with the launch pad, the rocket, etc. "For the F14 for example, there are 1,700 paper parts, a cardboard structure inside…", he specifies. Impressive. Just like Philippe Tréhard's spinning and flashing merry-go-round, made with more than 24,000 matches. In the aisles, we also come across Sabine and Serge, regulars of the show, several times French model-making champions, whose sailboats take on water during competitions. Splendid.

Meet this Sunday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. non-stop, Salle des Eyrieux, avenue Vigan-Braquet, in Bagnols-sur-Cèze. Price: 5 €, 2.50 € for children aged 5 to 12, free for children under 5.