Birth of a Swiss watchmaker's son

The second of a family of seven children, Louis Chevrolet comes into this world on December 25, 1878 in La Chaux-de-Fonds where his father works in the watch making industry.

With the end of the economic crisis in 1880, Louis’ talented watchmaker father returns to work in his hometown of Bonfol. The family resides in the neighboring village of Beurnevésin.



                              

The path of an adventurer

In 1887, the family moves to Beaune, France. Louis is now 8 years old. He becomes a bicycle mechanic and participates in competitive cycling. It is during this period that he meets the billionaire American Vanderbilt who offers Louis work in the USA.

However, he continues his French tour by working in the Darracq automobile factories in Paris.

Louis eventually decides to leave and after passing through Quebec in 1900 he arrives on American soil and works at De Dion Bouton America in New York.