The company was founded in 1915 through the merger of Gnome and Le Rhône, two French manufacturers of radial aircraft engines.

After World War I, as the demand for aircraft declined, the company diversified and began producing motorcycles between 1919 and 1921. It continued manufacturing aircraft engines and motorcycles until the motorcycle business waned after World War II. The company was then nationalized and integrated into Snecma (and later into the Safran Group).

Gnome & Rhône’s pre-war motorcycles were notable for:

A pressed-steel frame (instead of the traditional tubular frame) on certain models from the late 1920s and 1930s.

A secondary drive by chain or shaft, depending on the model, and sometimes a direct primary transmission.

Engines ranging from economical single-cylinders to high-end flat-twin engines
 

• Single-cylinder 4-stroke engine block, 350 cc (73 × 82 mm)
• Side valves
• Magneto ignition
• 4-speed gearbox
• Pressed-steel frame and fork
• Front suspension with parallelogram fork – no rear suspension
• Top speed: 62 mph