Les Jouets Citroën

In 1922 Fernand Migault (son of Albert Migault) proposed to André Citroën to make replicas of his models. He jumped at the opportunity, rightly thinking that he was promoting his vehicles through toys. An exclusivity contract, leading to a manufacturing agreement, was concluded between Citroën and SA Ets Migault. To honor this contract, the Migault family undertook a round table with cousins Marcel and Georges Gourdet. They brought a boilermaking workshop, capital and, above all, technical know-how to the bride's basket.

In 1927, the CIJ (Compagnie industrielle du jouet) was created. The following year, the company offered the Citroën B14. Equipped with a body closed by a fixed roof reproducing a soft top in place, this model, on a scale of 1:15, had opening doors that gave it a beautiful finish. At the end of the 1920s, Citroën toys adopted the formula that had ensured Meccano's success. The construction boxes contained all the parts needed to assemble a model. Many versions were offered for sale. Trucks and vans completed the catalogue of Citroën toys. The CIJ was able to offer the entire range of real Citroëns. The production was done in Briare in the Loiret. Each miniature accompanied the real Citroën vehicle, until the fall of André Citroën in 1934.

In 1922 Fernand Migault (son of Albert Migault) proposed to André Citroën to make replicas of his models. He jumped at the opportunity, rightly thinking that he was promoting his vehicles through toys. An exclusivity contract, leading to a manufacturing agreement, was concluded between Citroën and SA Ets Migault. To honor this contract, the Migault family undertook a round table with cousins Marcel and Georges Gourdet. They brought a boilermaking workshop, capital and, above all, technical know-how to the bride's basket.

In 1927, the CIJ (Compagnie industrielle du jouet) was created. The following year, the company offered the Citroën B14. Equipped with a body closed by a fixed roof reproducing a soft top in place, this model, on a scale of 1:15, had opening doors that gave it a beautiful finish. At the end of the 1920s, Citroën toys adopted the formula that had ensured Meccano's success. The construction boxes contained all the parts needed to assemble a model. Many versions were offered for sale. Trucks and vans completed the catalogue of Citroën toys. The CIJ was able to offer the entire range of real Citroëns. The production was done in Briare in the Loiret. Each miniature accompanied the real Citroën vehicle, until the fall of André Citroën in 1934.

Under the terms of the agreements, CIJ exclusively manufactured 1/10th scale sheet metal and wooden toys, including the 5 CV Trèfle and the B14. The miniatures were distributed directly by car dealers and CIJ was forbidden to mention Citroën in its advertisements. The Michelin brothers, who took over the car manufacturer after its bankruptcy in 1934, lost interest in this playful dimension. From 1937, Citroën toys were manufactured by JRD, which was absorbed in 1952 by JEX.