CHANTILLY // Arts & Elegance 2024
The creation of a new Concours d'Elegance in Europe was always something very special. In recent years, the number of such events has multiplied (to the point where several events are unfortunately held on the same date). When Peter Auto created this event in 2014, its ambition was to revive the Concours d'Elegance, which originated in France in the 1920s, and to celebrate the French art de vivre. It was a successful challenge, as it was awarded the prize for the most beautiful historic automotive event of the year at the International Historic Motoring Awards in both 2014 and 2015. It has also been recognised by the public, with attendance steadily increasing to exceed 20,000 visitors in 2022. Orchestrated as an ‘Elegant Sunday in the Countryside,’ Peter intends to offer ‘a dynamic encounter between Art and Elegance, the Past and the Future, Automobiles and Couture’ through numerous activities including equestrian arts, gastronomy and oenology, sailing, music and many workshops.
The lawns and the Château de Chantilly will provide an idyllic setting for an event that, for a few hours, will become the most beautiful of automobile museums, with nearly 100 cars representing different themes and all eras gathered together.
FRIDAY & saturday // PREPARATION
But before all that begins, the judges arrive on Friday to analyse the cars. This is the time to enjoy the cars on display, because on Sunday, almost 30,000 spectators will be present and the parades will take place almost without interruption. The weather is good, the atmosphere is calm, interrupted from time to time by the starting of a few engines.
Please, take a moment to enjoy the following photos.
SUNDAY // CONCOURS
It is now early Sunday morning. The sun is just rising, and the lakes and ponds of the Domaine de Chantilly are covered with a light mist that lifts with the first rays of sunlight. The cars are still covered with dew when the first spectators arrive. These are the last moments of calm before the action begins! The competition is divided into three categories: an Concours d'Élégance (manufacturers and their concept cars), a Concours d'État (classic car collectors), and a Grand Prix des Clubs (witnesses to automotive history). One of the unique features of this event (which is one of my favourites) is that the ‘ concours d'élégance ’ class, originally created to showcase concept cars (which has now evolved somewhat to include other cars), has a slight twist. For the parade, each car is paired with a model dressed by a leading haute couture fashion house! Combining a fashion show with a car show may seem a bit cliché, but when done well, the result is stunning. I am very fond of this category, even though it is subject to some controversy.
All of this looks very promising, and there is no doubt that spectators will have a wonderful time enjoying the French art de vivre. For photographers, it will be the classic race against time to captur the most comprehensive image possible of the event, especially since more than 100 cars will be present at the main competition, twice as many as at Villa d'Este.
