Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Prestige 2024 – Concours d’Élégance
The Côte d’Azur is famous for its summertime glitz and glamour, fancy parties and fashionable excess – perhaps best embodied by those legendary hotspots, St. Tropez and Cannes. But there is another side to the French Riviera, for those who are looking for something a little more low-key, maybe a slower pace of life. For this, there is nowhere better than Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Cap Ferrat is by no means a place of understatement – some of the most beautiful villas on the coast can be found nestling amongst the ancient olive groves or dipping their toes in the clear waters along the rugged coastline – and property prices are amongst the highest in the world. But the little fishing port of St Jean, with its pretty, cobbled streets, pleasant restaurants and exclusive boutiques has maintained much of its original character despite the overwhelming influx of international money.
The unique vibe of St Jean Cap Ferrat is perfectly represented by one event, held every year at the end of the season – Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Prestige (click here to visit the event website). Part concours, part static display and part parade, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Prestige is the perfect event for those who want to soak up that exclusive Riviera atmosphere. Every year classic and vintage cars from all over Europe find their way to this tiny peninsular to take part in a weekend dedicated to the joys of old school motors.
“…the perfect event for those who want to soak up that exclusive Riviera atmosphere…”
Over two days the event takes over the Place du Centenaire and parts of the port area for its center piece, a static display of (mostly) modern classics. This year had a (loosely) German theme, and visitors were treated to some beautiful examples of 70s, 80s and more recent classic Porsches, including a fabulous Carrera GT, a stunning 2.7RS and a 911 rally car, with Munich represented by a pretty BMW E21-based Alpina C1, and an E90 V8 M3 Competition alongside a not-so-German Ferrari Testarossa, and an 348. There were some pretty drop-tops too, including a couple of Mercedes SL models from different eras and a beautiful BMW E30 M3 cabriolet.
The main event is the concours, held down on the Quai Virgile Allari with its row of smart cafes and restaurants providing the perfect place to sit and enjoy the show. There’s a jury, which sounds quite stuffy, but isn’t – there’s plenty of humour and the commentary is lighthearted and friendly – which each year includes assorted luminaries from the French classic motoring scene. This year the celebrity guest was ex-F1 star Thierry Boutsen, now owner of Boutsen Classic Cars in Monaco.
The smell of leather and hot oil permeates the air as the cars line up to roll gently along the quay, stopping in front of the assembled dignitaries for their moment, and you feel immediately the spirit of the event, with many drivers and passengers dressing up in period clothes to match their cars – outfits ranging from old style overalls to tweed suits, or Grace Kelly-style dresses and broad brimmed hats. This year’s parade boasted a splendidly eclectic mix of gems, ranging from a superb Aston Martin DB4 to a cute Fiat 500 Vignale, a rare Porsche 356, a wonderful Jaguar XK120 and with, perhaps slightly incongruously, a Tesla Roadster Sport R80 – the company’s early Lotus-based prototype in attendance. This year’s winners in the various categories included a 1991 Ferrari Mondial T, a 1967 Jaguar 3.8s, a 1964 Maserati Sebring, a 1959 Mercedes 190SL, with the coveted ‘Grand Prix d’Excellence’ going to the 1924 Salmson Grand Sport, and the ‘Grand Prix de Cap Ferrat Prestige 2024’ awarded to the Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring, owned by Christophe Grenier.
“…outfits ranging from old style overalls to tweed suits, or Grace Kelly-style dresses and broad brimmed hats…”
‘Grand Prix d’Excellence’ winner – 1924 Salmson Grand Sport
‘Grand Prix de Cap Ferrat Prestige 2024’ awarded to the Alfa Romeo 2000 Touring
Despite being a popular event, the backdrop of classic villas such as Maryland and Ephrussi de Rothschild, the beautiful cliffs just across the crystal clear waters in Eze Bord de Mer, the quiet hum of the cafes and restaurants and the wonderful display of exotic motor cars means the event seems perfectly in tune with its environment – you never get the feeling its too crowded, but there’s still plenty of atmosphere, and it’s always good natured.
This year’s event came with an added attraction – a large display of exotic hats. Quite incongruous but nonetheless an eye opener, this remarkable display was in the just behind the seated jury for the concours, in the Salle Neptune – for all the world as if it was perfectly normal to see such an eclectic display of hats in this setting. Now, hats may not exactly be the sort of thing you’d be interested on a day where the car is king (or Queen), but there were some truly fascinating designs and some incredible structures on display, as you’ll see. If this particular exhibition comes to Cap Ferrat again, we’ll be sure to let you know.
This year’s 10th Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Prestige 2024 event coincided with the 120 year celebration of the independence of the village, and this year the weather did not disappoint, adding to the relaxed, elegant atmosphere and helping to make a memorable occasion even more special.
