The foundation dedicates a large part of its resources to the restoration of old equipment.

Coming into the collection more often than not in the form of donations, vehicles representing a period, a make or a type of technology are restored with the help of highly-qualified professionals who have donated their know-how to prevent these elements from becoming extinct. The archive and documentation centre establishes a complete file for each vehicle, allowing it to be placed in its historical context and preparing a new lease of life for it.

A piece of equipment of whatever sort will only be considered restored once it has been returned to its original performance level and appearance, in a word, once it has regained its “dignity”. Such is the foundation’s strict requirement.

Located near Lyon, the Conservatory does not have the profile of a museographic institution. Its primary function is the conservation of restored equipment. The foundation can make elements of its collection available for special events or exhibitions put on for the general public or for professionals, or for historical or educational learning.

The Conservatory also has an educational vocation, through its guided tours: they welcome middle schools, secondary schools, universities and higher education establishments, linked to automobile technology or transport companies, institutions and bodies working to safeguard our industrial heritage.

If you do not fit into any of these categories, but would still like to visit the Conservatory, you must first become a member of the Amis de la Fondation de l'Automobile Marius Berliet association. Your contribution will include an invitation for you and the occupants of your car one Saturday afternoon in May for the “Fête des Amis” of the BERLIET foundation. This meeting is the occasion for the foundation to thank the numerous volunteers without whom they would not be able to operate, as well as those who have donated archives and equipment and of course, all the members of the Amis de la Fondation association who provide their financial support every year from as little as € 33.