H. Chanon & Cie was founded in 1891 with premises at 22 rue Duret, Paris XVI where they produced bicycles. In 1905 the company was sold to Henri Gaubert and the production of cycles, motorcycles, tri-cars and motor tricycles continued.
Henri's younger brother Julien Louis Gaubert gained recognition as a rider of motorcycles and tricycles, raced Brasier automobiles, and became a pioneer of French aviation.
Their motorcycles were fitted with Villemain and Monarque engines, and one of each of these machines survive.
In 1905 a Chanon motorcycle with a Villemain engine was ridden to 7th place in the criterion of 1/3 litre.
A tricar powered by a water-cooled 4 h.p. Villemain engine was presented at the 1905 Motor Show in Paris.
Production ceased around 1909.
Sources: Bourdache p220, lestricars.es.tl.
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