The gravel drove crunched beneath our tyres as we arrived at the Château de Chantilly, its honey-coloured towers rising above manicured French gardens, the perfect stage for one of the most elegant automotive weekends in the world. This year’s journey to Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille was made possible thanks to the generous support of Jaguar Land Rover Germany, who provided a fully equipped Range Rover Long Wheelbase for the trip — a car that turned the drive itself into part of the experience, gliding effortlessly through the French countryside in total comfort and quiet authority.
The weekend opened with the Garden Party, a champagne-soaked evening beneath the château’s towering trees, where collectors, designers, and enthusiasts mingled long into dusk. The following morning brought the heart of the event: the Concours d’Elegance, where painstakingly restored classics were presented on the château’s lawns like sculptures, each one judged not only on mechanical perfection but on story and soul.
Not far away, the Grand Prix des Clubs gathered marque clubs from across Europe, their formation displays a rolling celebration of automotive heritage. The Equestrian Show added a distinctly French touch, horses and riders performing with the same precision and grace as the cars on display — a reminder that Chantilly’s elegance extends well beyond the automobile.
One of the true highlights of the weekend came in the Ford & Shelby class, where a friend competed in the original GT40 P/1041 — an extraordinary piece of racing history in the original Belgium racing colors silver and yellow and with historic races at the nearby Monthlery and in Zolder and Spa and on the hillclimbs in Houyet, Fléron, Laroche-Samrée and Goesdorf. Furthermore this GT40 has also a very successful newer race history in all of Europe at the main events. Driving it with skill and nerve, the car won the second place in its class, a result that drew admiration from fellow collectors and judges alike, and gave our group something to celebrate long into the night.
As dusk settled over the château, the Concept Cars display offered a glimpse into the future, radical silhouettes and forward-thinking design set against centuries-old stone walls. Then came the fireworks — bursts of colour reflecting off the château’s moat, closing the day’s festivities in spectacular fashion.
The weekend reached its crescendo with the Best of Show Awards, a moment of quiet anticipation followed by applause as the finest cars of the weekend were honoured. Driving home in the Range Rover, we reflected on a weekend that had it all: elegance, competition, heritage, and friendship — Chantilly at its very best with many magic moments.
