The Paris–Bordeaux–Paris automobile trial is held

Background. The event is sometimes called the first motor race, though it did not fit modern competition rules where the fastest finisher wins. The 1894 Paris–Rouen contest had previously judged a steam-powered vehicle ineligible for the main prize. This trial involved public roads and specific vehicle class regulations that influenced the outcome.

Course and Finish. Levassor drove a 1205 cc Panhard & Levassor, starting carefully and overtaking the Marquis de Dion. He arrived in Bordeaux several hours before expected, requiring him to drive back to Paris. He finished first in 48 hours and 48 minutes, nearly six hours before runner-up Louis Rigoulot and eleven hours before the official winner.

Official Winner. Paul Koechlin was the official winner, finishing third in his Peugeot. He was exactly 11 hours slower than Levassor. The official regulations established for four-seater cars excluded Levassor and Rigoulot, who drove two-seater cars. This discrepancy caused an outcry that influenced future race organization.