The club president does not want this to change.

This shocking fact is that rich men who belong to private clubs may not be the most open to social change. This video gives a rare glimpse into the Automobile Club de France. The institution, which dates back to 126 years old, still does not allow women to join. Its president, a 74-year-old man, has no plans to change that.

Automobile Club de France is located in a huge building at the Place de la Concorde, Paris. There’s also a library, auditorium dining areas, a bar and rooftop terrace.

There are approximately 2,000 members, with an average age of just 55. According to Bloomberg the majority of members are not associated with the auto industry. However, there are some very powerful people in the auto business like Renault CEO Luca de Meo or Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

Technically speaking, there is no rule that prohibits women from joining, but two members must support a woman who wants to join. This seems unlikely. “It seems like three quarters (roughly 2,000) of us don’t want it to change. I don’t think I can impose anything they don’t desire. There are other ways to meet Parisian women,” Automobile Club de France President Louis Desanges said to Bloomberg.

Members’ wives have restricted access to the club. They can borrow books from the library, and they can have lunch with their friends. They can’t access certain areas, such as the swimming pool.

Although the Automobile Club de France does not have any official power within the French automotive industry, there is clearly lobbying power due to the presence of so many wealthy and powerful people in this industry. According to Bloomberg, Desanges wants to exempt vintage cars from future emission rules that could ban them driving in French cities.