In the picturesque town of San Cesario sul Panaro, located in the province of Modena, lies one of the most exclusive and renowned car factories in the world: Pagani Automobili. This Italian car brand captures the hearts of car enthusiasts everywhere. No other car manufacturer has managed to achieve such global recognition and admiration in such a short time.
In the small factory, which Pagani prefers to call the Pagani Atelier rather than a factory, dozens of ultra-expensive sports cars are crafted annually for wealthy clients from around the world. While the doors of other car factories remain firmly closed, Pagani offers visitors the unique opportunity to witness firsthand how these masterpieces on wheels are created by a small team in their state-of-the-art facility. For car enthusiasts, a visit to the Pagani factory and the adjacent museum is an unforgettable experience.
Curious about how to visit the Pagani factory in Italy and what to expect at the extraordinary Pagani Museum? In this article, we share all the information you need to prepare for your visit to one of the most stunning car factories in the world.
herschrijf The brand was founded by Horacio Pagani, whose dream was to build a true supercar made from ultra-light carbon material. As early as 1988, while still working at Lamborghini, Horacio was already sketching designs for his own supercar. In 1992, the first prototype became a reality, and by 1993, he was able to test it in the wind tunnel of the Dallara racing team. Shortly thereafter, Horacio connected with Mercedes-Benz through his good friend and former Formula 1 driver, Juan Manuel Fangio. Mercedes-Benz recognized the car’s potential and agreed in 1994 to supply the V12 engine for Horacio Pagani’s sports car.
After years of testing and refining, the moment finally arrived in 1999 when Horacio received approval for his first true supercar, the Pagani Zonda C12. The “C” in the name stands for Cristina, Horacio Pagani’s wife. Initially, the model was to be called the C8 “Fangio F1,” but out of respect for Juan Manuel Fangio, who passed away in 1995, Horacio changed the name to C12. The car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, where it received widespread acclaim. Several wealthy car enthusiasts even signed purchase contracts at the Geneva show itself.
The Pagani Automobili factory is located on a small industrial site in the Italian town of San Cesario Sul Panaro, right in the heart of the famous “Supercar Valley” region near Modena. The area earned its name due to the numerous sports car manufacturers in the region who design and build some of the most desirable automobiles in the world. Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini are all located just a stone’s throw from Pagani’s factory.
Unlike many car manufacturers, Pagani makes it easy to visit the factory. With the Pagani Atelier Tour, enthusiasts have the opportunity to see firsthand how Pagani hypercars are meticulously hand-built, guided by an expert. The open and friendly reception makes it an unforgettable experience! And let’s be honest, how often do you get the chance to stand in a room full of supercars worth over a million euros each?
The only downside to the tour is that taking photos inside the factory and production area is not permitted. However, photos are allowed in the showroom, on the grounds of Pagani, and on public roads. This restriction is not because Pagani has anything to hide, but because in the past, customers complained about seeing images of their cars online or on social media before they had even seen their expensive vehicle in person. This is also why you often see black-and-white videos on YouTube to prevent revealing the car colors prematurely.
During the approximately one-hour tour of the factory, you get a unique behind-the-scenes look at Pagani and can witness the assembly line where the expensive Huayra BC, Huayra Roadster, and Utopia are built, as well as where older Pagani Zondas are transformed into unique one-off models based on the specific requests of wealthy clients. There are also regularly older Pagani models being restored from damage or brought in for routine maintenance. Additionally, you’ll find a few of Horacio Pagani’s personal Pagani cars and other vehicles.
On average, you can expect to see about 15 to 20 different Pagani models in the factory hall at various stages of completion. Some Pagani cars may only have their chassis visible, while others are almost ready to be delivered. Additionally, around 10 more Pagani cars are usually displayed in the adjacent museum section. It’s also a good idea to wait outside the factory gates before or after your visit—if you’re lucky, a Pagani might drive in or out for a test drive with one of the brand’s test drivers.
The tour begins with a display of iconic Pagani models, including the original Pagani Zonda, a Huayra R, and various prototypes of the Huayra and Utopia. The guide provides a brief overview of the brand’s history, details about previous models, and stories from the life of founder Horacio Pagani.
Next, the tour moves to the section where the interiors of the sports cars are assembled. From there, you’ll head upstairs to the area where the carbon fiber body parts are crafted. Almost all the carbon components for Pagani cars are handmade in this space. The guide offers an in-depth explanation of the different carbon materials used in the construction of the Zonda, Huayra, and Utopia models. You’ll often have the opportunity to hold some of the carbon parts and experience the lightweight properties of the material. After this, the tour proceeds to the area where the carbon is baked in ovens.
The tour in the Pagani factory also includes a visit to a less enjoyable section, where damaged or accident-damaged Pagani cars are stored. Finally, the guide takes you through the assembly line, where the carbon parts are affixed to the monocoque and the interiors are installed. In this area, you’ll see several Utopia models in various stages of construction.
For many years, Pagani’s cars were built in a small building on Via dell’Artigianato in San Cesario sul Panaro. The factory was so understated that it was easy to drive by without noticing. A small sign with the Pagani logo on the facade was the only indication that behind the tall gate, exclusive Zonda and Huayra models were being crafted for a select group of wealthy clients. From the outside, it was hard to believe this was a full-fledged car manufacturer serving clients around the globe, as the building was no bigger than an average village garage.
In 2016, much of Pagani moved to a new, modern facility located just a few hundred meters from the old site. This expansion was crucial as the company had grown significantly, and the original location was no longer large enough to accommodate production of all its models. The new facility now houses the production of carbon components, maintenance of existing models, and the Huayra production line. After the move, only Horacio Pagani’s office and the research and development department remained at the old location.
Right next to the Pagani factory is the Pagani Museum, officially known as the Horacio Pagani Museo. Although the museum is not particularly large, it is a must-visit for car enthusiasts. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many incredibly expensive Pagani cars under one roof.
The museum is entirely dedicated to the history and heritage of the brand. Inside, you’ll find around 10 iconic models from the Italian supercar manufacturer, alongside prototypes, scale models, and unique art pieces that showcase the evolution of Pagani. The museum also offers a glimpse into the creative processes of Horacio Pagani, including sketches, designs, and technical innovations that led to the creation of some of the most impressive vehicles in the world.
What makes the Pagani museum unique is that visitors have the opportunity to get up close to cars that are usually only seen in magazines or on the racetrack. The vehicles are not behind barriers, allowing you to admire the stunning details of a Zonda Cinque or the futuristic shapes of the Huayra Roadster without any obstacles in the way.
The museum’s collection is frequently updated, but it generally showcases models such as the Huayra, Zonda, Zonda Revolucion, Zonda F, Zonda Cinque, and Utopia. It also permanently displays Horacio Pagani’s first Formula 3 car. The one-of-a-kind Pagani Zonda R Evolution Barchetta, Horacio Pagani’s personal vehicle, is another permanent exhibit. If you’re fortunate, you might also see a stunning Huayra BC or Utopia Roadster in the showroom, awaiting delivery to a lucky client.
One of the museum’s highlights is the Pagani Zonda with chassis number 2, known as “La Nonna” (Italian for grandmother). This car was the development prototype for all Zonda versions and has accumulated over 1 million kilometers. For Horacio Pagani’s 60th birthday, it was completely refurbished, receiving a fresh coat of paint and new parts, and now stands proudly in the museum.
Entrance to the Pagani Museum costs 18 euros for adults, 15 euros for children aged 12 to 18, and is free for children under 12. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. An audio tour is included with the ticket.
If you go on the Pagani Atelier tour, it concludes at the museum, so no separate tickets are necessary. You don’t need to book in advance, as tickets can be purchased on-site at the ticket counter.
As mentioned above, it is possible to visit the Pagani factory through the Pagani Atelier Tour. However, you can’t simply decide to take a factory tour on the spot—you must book the tour in advance via the Pagani website. There are only a limited number of spots available each day, and the tour is usually held just once per day, so it’s recommended to reserve your factory tour ahead of time to avoid it being unavailable when you’re in the area.
The Pagani Factory Tour can be booked on this page on the Pagani website. Factory tours are available from Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings at varying times. Some days, tours may not be available due to the presence of potential clients at the facility.
The cost for the factory tour, including the Pagani Museum, is 60 euros per person. Children aged 13 to 18 pay 25 euros, and children under 12 can join the tour for free. For safety reasons, children under 3 years old are not allowed on the factory tour. The tour is conducted in both English and Italian.
The Pagani factory and the Pagani museum are located in the village of San Cesario sul Panaro, not far from Modena. From Modena, it takes about 25 minutes by car to reach the Pagani factory. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello is about a 30-minute drive away.
The Pagani museum is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, except from December 24th to January 6th. Opening hours may vary, so it is always best to check the Pagani website for the most up-to-date information. There are plenty of free parking spaces available on the street near the museum entrance. Since the museum is located on an industrial estate, it is recommended not to leave valuables in your car.
Old location of Pagani (Carbon manufacturing and workshop)
Pagani Museum and the Pagani Factory (Huayra and Utopia assembly line)
Copyright header image: ANDRES CANET / Shutterstock.com
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