French Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Lacroix & Delaville Tricycles

The firm was established by Joseph Lacroix and financier De Laville in Agen in 1896 and produced tricycles until 1914*. Commonly known as "La Nef", it was powered by a De Dion-Bouton engine and proved popular with those who travelled frequently, doctors in particular. It is believed that over 200 of these were built before the first war, using more powerful engines as they became available, some of them water-cooled.

All had wooden chassis, and few have survived.

N.B. Sources vary on production dates.

Sources: louwmanmuseum.nl, et al.

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