The fourth Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille will be held in 2017 and it has already earned prestigious accolades starting with the Historic Motoring Award of the Year for the first Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille by Octane, the benchmark British magazine, which gave it the same award the following year, and it was again nominated in 2016. Since 2015 it has enjoyed the honorary sponsorship of the French Ministry of Culture and Communications. And it has just been nominated by the Peninsula Classics Committee for the Best of the Best Award for 2016, 2017 and 2018.

All these prizes have crowned the concept of this event that has revived the Concours d’Elégance of which France was the cradle in the 1920s, as well as celebrating the French Art de Vivre, an inestimable richness of which our country can be justly proud.

Boosted by this success and still on the lookout for improvements to enhance the excellence of the event, Peter Auto is enriching and refining its concours to make it even more magical and captivating in the eyes of its public and partners.

Thus, the 2017 event will have certain evolutions including new dates (a week later than in previous years), the Bonhams auction moved to Sunday, an even bigger spectacle with the return of Mario Luraschi with a new equestrian show, and a richer manufacturers’ village with Bugatti, DS Automobiles, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla and others to be announced in the near future. And of course, the motorbikes!

The ingredients that have put this newcomer in the premium league and thrilled more than 13 000 visitors in the last two stagings are still the same. Combined with the Art de vivre à la Française and the pleasure of receiving its guests at a lavish garden party in the Le Nôtre gardens in the Chantilly Château, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille is synonymous of a convivial family Sunday in the country and the not-to-be-missed elegant rendezvous in early September.

In addition, it has received praise from collectors from all over the world, clubs - with 850 cars present - and partners whose number has increased since the first event.

Before the meticulously-prepared, impeccably-timed main event on Sunday choreographed by the ballet of gleaming coachwork and engines, Peter Auto is organising a prologue on Saturday in which each entrant can take part at his own pace: moderate speed for the golden oldies, while the supercars can give free rein to the power produced by their multi-cylinder engines. There will be a gastronomic break at midday and the event will be rounded off with a dinner ‘‘en nocturne’’.

Le Chantilly Arts & Elegance Tour (Collectors Rally)
The owners who are entered for the Concours d’Etat the next day will take part in this tourist rally at the wheel of the most beautiful cars in the world. On the day’s programme is a journey of around 100 km through the neighbouring regional natural park and the luxuriant local forests. It will also provide collectors with the opportunity to discover the many historic monuments in the region before meeting up for lunch at La Plage de Lys on the banks of the Oise, a not-to-be-missed destination for Parisian high society in the 1930s, which is now a classified monument.

Supercars Rally
This rally, held for the first time in 2016, attracted around 30 limited-production modern sports cars noted for their mind-blowing performances. Among these rare Supercars were Alfa Romeo 8Cs, Aston Martin DB7 Zagatos, BMW i8s, Bugatti EB110s and Veyrons, Ferrari Enzo, FF, F40, F50 and 288 GTOs, Ford GTs, Gumpert Apollos, Lamborghini Diablos and Gallardos, McLaren P1 GTRs, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLarens, Pagani Zondas, Porsche Carrera GTs and 918s. These exceptional machines were a big hit with the many spectators who lined the route as the cars made their way to the Mortefontaine private circuit where they were able to give free rein to their power. Boosted by its success the Supercars Rally will have new models this year. The next day all these marvellous machines will line up on the Le Nôtre Lawns in the grounds of the château giving the public the opportunity to see these automotive marvels up close!

Official dinner
The Great Stables are an architectural Chef-d’oeuvre of the XVIII^th siècle. They were built for Louis- Henri de Bourbon, 7^th prince de Condé, by the architect Jean Aubert, and they will be the theatre of the official dinner opening the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille with a menu concocted by great starred chefs. It will be preceded by a spectacle organised under the Dome of the biggest stables in Europe.

They are the core of the event building up to the final crescendo and consist of three specially chosen set pieces composed with flair that represent the high point of Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. Out of all the entries only three will be awarded prizes depending on the success of their respective presentations.

A l’occasion de ses trois premières éditions, le concours d’État de Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille a réuni les plus grands collectionneurs du monde entier. Cent voitures d’exception, incarnations des plus belles créations de l’histoire de l’automobile sont venues à chaque fois de toute l’Europe mais aussi des Etats-Unis, d’Amérique du Sud et d’Asie.

The greatest collectors in the world flocked to the first three Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille Concours d’Etat. One hundred exceptional cars representing the most beautiful creations in the history of the automobile came to the Chantilly Château from all over Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. They were on display on Le Nôtre’s lawns creating a unique ephemeral museum and they showed off their charms with a single aim – to win the Best of Show, the “crème de la crème” at Chantilly - where else! Ferrari is the star of the 2017 event as this year the famous Italian make is celebrating its 70^th anniversary. It will be honoured with several classes that will bring together almost 30 historic models creating one the best exhibitions dedicated to the Prancing Horse.

In each class comprising between four and six cars rareness, history, state of conservation and upkeep are the main criteria taken into account by the hand-picked jury when examining them to select the class winner, an obligatory step to go on to the final which will consecrate the “Queen of the Day.” The FIVA (International Federation of Historic Vehicles) will award a prize for the most beautiful and interesting restoration.

Best of Show at the previous events:
2014: Delahaye 135M cabriolet Figoni et Falaschi (1937). Collector: Peter Mullin (USA).
2015: Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster (1936). Collector: Evert Louwman (NL).
2016: Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Berlinetta Touring (1938). Collector: Jon Shirley (USA).

France was the cradle of the Concours d’Elégance in the 1920s and the initiator of these very highly-valued events in which the exceptional cars of the day, often personalised by renowned coachbuilders, were on display accompanied by elegant women wearing the latest fashions created by the great names in French couture.

One of the driving ambitions behind Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille was to revive this glorious epoch by inviting manufacturers and car stylists to display their latest concept cars, the interpretation of the make in question’s future vehicles, to the public associating them with models in the most beautiful outfits of the fashion houses in a unique parade that has received a rousing welcome from spectators.

Thus, premium makes like Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Bugatti, DS Automobiles, Lexus, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and coachwork builders Italdesign Giugiaro, Touring and Zagato unveiled their latest interpretation of cars of the future at the last three Chantilly Concours d’Elégance, sometimes as a premier, associated with couturiers like Giorgio Armani, Balmain, Hugo Boss, Jean-Paul Gautier, Paco Rabanne, Thierry Mugler, Eymeric François, Alexandre Vauthier, Haider Ackermann, etc.

This year visitors will be able to admire the Bugatti Chiron, the most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive sports car from every angle. And also DS7 Crossback without forgetting the Renault Trezor concept, an electric GT that embodies the French manufacturer’s vision of future mobility.

Best of show at the previous events
2014 : Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring. Couturier: Paco Rabanne
2015 : BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R. Couturier: Balmain
2016 : DS E-TENSE. Couturier: Eymeric François.

The makes’ clubs are the guardians of motor car heritage. They bring together owners who have a passionate relationship with a make or a model they have restored and put back into perfect working order at the cost of hundreds of hours of research and painstaking effort. They are the people who keep the universe of the motor car alive, and these collector cars are living proof of the in-depth richness of the history of car production worldwide. They are given pride of place at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille and are invited to display their cars by nationality and make in dedicated enclosures around the Château.

They add life to the elegant Sunday in the country and take part in the huge garden party in a pastoral setting that would have inspired some of the most famous Impressionist painters. From the sophisticated picnic basket to the table decorated in good taste, the overall elegance has to be in harmony to hope to win the Clubs Grand Prix prize organised by the FFVE (French Historic Vehicles Federation). It is awarded according to the quality of the presentation, the diversity and originality of the models on show as well as the care taken with the ‘Déjeuner sur l’Herbe.’ In 2016, 40 clubs mustering 800 vehicles took part in this major celebration of the motor car.

Grand Prix des Clubs at the previous events
2014 : Club Delahaye
2015 : Club Delage
2016 : Amicale Tricyclecariste de France.

An eclectic jury
The prizes are awarded for each concours according to a vote by recognised specialists of a make or a period, big names in the world of the motor car as well as figures in other fields. An eclectic jury, both in terms of culture and origin, ensures its quality. Thus, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille brings together an international jury from different worlds. Among the members of the 2017 jury are: Jean Todt (President of the FIA), Patrick Rollet (President of the FIVA), Carlos Tavares (President of the PSA Group, Nick Mason (Pink Floyd drummer and collector), Gérard Larrousse (driver and team principal), Paul Belmondo (Driver and actor), Margot Laffite (Journalist & driver), Andrea Zagato (President of Carrozzeria Zagato).

An interactive concours
The visitors also have a role to play as they are encouraged to vote for the Concours d’Elégance. Last but not least, a tribute is also paid to the Ladies with prizes awarded such as the most eye-catching hat. Elégance oblige!

A final touch had to be added to an event of the scale of Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, a sale of high- quality cars. British auction house Bonhams, founded in 1793, the benchmark in the field of arts and antiques and specialist in the domain of the collector car has been a part of Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille since 2015 auctioning a hand-picked selection of rare vehicles in keeping with the standing of Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille.

After the first auction held in the Great Stables last year Bonhams planted its tent in the Château’s gardens and put on a mobile sale much appreciated by the bidders and enthusiasts present.

Among the leading cars in this sale are:

• A 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLS Competition Roadster (chassis n° 1980427500220)
  Estimation 1 500 000 - 2 500 000 euros
  
• A 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spider with coachwork by Vignale (châssis n° AM 101 775, engine n° AM 101 775)
  Estimation 800 000 - 1 000 000 euros
  
• A Citroën DS21 Le Caddy cabriolet with coachwork by Henri Chapron from 1966 (chassis n° 4350010, engine n° 0315006113)
  Estimation 340 000 - 380 000 euros
  
• A Ferrari 365 GTC/4 with coachwork by Pininfarina (chassis n° 16287)
  Estimation 170,000 - 230,000 euros)
  
• A 1989 Ferrari 328 Conciso One-Off with coachwork by Michalak (no reserve price)

What more beautiful setting than the Chantilly domain, one of the jewels of French national heritage, could blend in in perfect harmony with the celebration of the French Art de Vivre? This magic place, above and beyond its architectural beauty and history, was a refuge and inspiration for several artists including writers like François-René de Chateaubriand and Gérard Nerval and painters Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and Paul Cézanne. What better famous residence than the Chantilly Château, where François Vanel organised fabulous feasts under the reign of Louis XIV, could today be the most suitable home for French gastronomy to celebrate the art of good food reinterpreted by starred chefs? And finally the equestrian arts could not be ignored in this city, historically devoted to this ancestral activity which has led to it being named the “capital of the horse.”

Elegance and arts combine in a perfect marriage on this Sunday at Chantilly






Visitors are asked to dress correctly in homage to the players on this ephemeral stage, some of whom come from far away. They appreciate visitors who have taken the same care as themselves in their outfits. There are many ways to dress in style as illustrated by talented artist, Alain Bouldouyre.


Saturday 9^th September
9:00/9:30: Cars assemble for the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Tour (Collectors Rally) & the Supercars Rally
9:30: Start of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Tour (Collectors Rally)
9h45: Start of the Supercars Rally
11:30/14:00: Lunch for the participants in both the Collectors and Supercars Rallies at La Plage de Lys.
14:30: Finish of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Tour (Collectors Rally) in the Chantilly Château domain
15:30/18:30: Inspection of the cars by the members of the jury
16:30: Finish of the Supercars Rally in the Chantilly Château domain
19:00/20:30: Cocktails in the Great Stables
20:30/23:00: Official dinner in the Great Stables

Sunday 10^th September
9:00: Event open to the public
9:45/11:15: Parade of the cars in the Concours d’Etat and prize giving for the winners
11:00/13:00: Bonhams auction
11:30/14:30: Garden party in the Chantilly Château domain
13:00/14:30: Lunch in the Cercle Arts & Elegance
14:30/15:15: Concours d’Elégance parade
15:15/15:40: Equestrian show
15:40/16:00: Awarding of the Best of Show prizes
18:30: Event closed to the public


General Admission:
€ 35 on pre-sale on the website (until July 15^th), car park included / € 50 on-site (car park included)
Free for children under 12. From 12 to 18: 25 euros on-site Official
Program: € 10

• Access to the Park and Le Nôtre gardens
  
• Access to the Chateau
  
• Access to the Concours d’Etat, Concours d’Elégance & Grand Prix des Clubs
  
• Access to all the activities
  
• Access to the premier of the “Poussin, Picasso, Bacon’’ exhibition in the Jeu de Paume
  
• Access to the equestrian show of Mario Luraschi

Picnic basket for 2 people: 150 euros (rigid basket and wine included)
Picnic bag for 2 people: 95 euros (wine not included)

Privilege Package
Adults: € 650 VAT incl./person

• Access to the park and Le Nôtre gardens
  
• Access to the Chateau
  
• Access to the Concours d’Etat, Concours d’Elégance & Concours Clubs
  
• Access to all the activities in the domain
  
• Access to the premier of the “Poussin, Picasso, Bacon’’ exhibition in the Jeu de Paume
  
• Access to the equestrian show of Mario Luraschi
  
• VIP Car Park included
  
• Official event program included
  
• Catering: Access to the Cercle Arts & Elegance from 9:00 to 18:00, breakfast, gourmet menu by the starred chefs (champagne/starter/ main course /dessert/wine/coffee), permanent access to the wine & champagne bars, permanent open bar (soft drinks), afternoon snack.

40 km from Paris and 25 km from the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport

By train
From Gare du Nord (Paris) SNCF main lines (24 minutes – get off at the stop Chantilly - Gouvieux)