Kevin McCloud's French Riviera Road Trip in Classic Citroen DS

Kevin McCloud appeared to be living his best life as he cruised along the sun-drenched French Riviera in a convertible Citroen DS, a car once hailed as the most beautiful of the 20th century ^[1]. The sky was blue, the sun was blazing, and the roof was down—perfect conditions for a man who looked like he’d just won a lifetime supply of clotted cream.

The episode, part of Channel 4’s new series Kevin McCloud’s Classic Car Road Trips, opened with a hiccup: the car broke down in Monaco, forcing McCloud to wait in Cannes while mechanic Lionel Aubert—described as resembling a slightly ageing actor—rushed to repair it ^[1]. Once back on the road, McCloud faced a steep learning curve: the Citroen DS had no clutch, its gear lever was on the steering wheel, and suspension height could be adjusted on the fly.

Despite the challenges, McCloud embraced the experience with characteristic enthusiasm, calling the car 'a piece of sculpture' and marveling at its suspension, which he likened to floating on the breeze ^[1]. In a moment that could only be described as quintessentially French, he drove the DS along a cobbled street while sipping coffee—without spilling a drop. In England, such a stunt would have earned him a fixed penalty notice.

The journey wasn’t all about driving. McCloud stopped in the village of Biot to play a wooden-cube version of boules, visited design students passionate about vintage tech, and dined at a restaurant with a private art collection ^[1]. The series, described as Top Gear meets art critic Brian Sewell, focuses less on speed and more on beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural context.

The first episode earned a three-star rating from Daily Mail reviewer Roland White, who noted that while the scenery and car were stunning, the real test is whether audiences can stay engaged while watching someone else enjoy themselves ^[1].