CHANTILLY // Arts & Elegance 2026
Chantilly Arts & Élégance is an event I’m particularly attached to. It’s the largest show of its kind in France, a return to the very origins of the concours d’élégance, held in a sumptuous setting, immersed in the French art de vivre. The line-up featured a diverse collection of cars, ranging from the GT1 to Pininfarina, including a tribute to Ercole Spada and the 60th anniversary of the Miura. A special mention goes to the Tour de France display, which is so beloved by the French! Bugatti played its part by showcasing over 100 years of motoring, with the Brouillard being the latest gem to emerge from their workshops.
On a less exciting note, what made this event so unique, the concept car parades featuring a model dressed by a haute couture house, has simply disappeared, and that breaks my heart. We have, I believe, lost one of the elements that gave Chantilly its charm, originality and uniqueness. We have lost a part of ‘the arts’.
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.
SUNDAY // CONCOURS
On this Sunday morning, the sky is hazy, and the sun is struggling to break through this thick layer of cloud. It’s rather warm for a September morning, and this year there isn’t the usual mist that usually hangs over the ponds. This is the last moment of calm before the crowds arrive. I take one last look at the cars and suddenly find myself surrounded by the public. The sky is truly capricious this year; the very flat light overhead doesn’t make the photographers’ job any easier. Fortunately, there are a few incredibly elegant people here to brighten up the morning.
The contest begins in the early afternoon. Nearly a hundred vehicles parade in front of the audience. From what I could tell, the ‘Tour de France’ line-up was very popular with my fellow photographers, whilst the ‘GT1’ line-up was a hit with the younger generation. My heart was stolen this year by three models: the Ferrari 410 Superamerica (winner of its class), the Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 / 6C 2500 Super Sport (runner-up in its class) and the magnificent Talbot-Lago T150-C SS, which unfortunately didn’t even make it onto the podium.
As for the Best of Show results, here they are: Best of Show, Pre-war State Competition: Delage D8 SS – 1933. Best of Show, Post-war State Competition: Ferrari 410 Superamerica – 1956; and finally, Best of Show, Concept Cars, Restomods & One-offs: the Bugatti Brouillard!
