Richard Mille Chantilly Arts & Elegance opens this sunday
Founded by Peter Auto, the show takes place in the Chantilly gardens, close to Paris and showcases an array of treasures from the finest garages and museums, coupled with the most exclusive concept cars designed by today’s carmakers.
In addition to Ettore Bugatti’s Bugatti Royale, presented «out of competition», a panel of experts will examine a drive-by of around a hundred exceptional cars, such as the Maserati A6G-2000 «Double Bubble» by the designer Ugo Zagato in 1956, the Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet by French designer Jacques Saoutchik in 1936 and the 1970 Ferrari 512S, a legendary racing car whose film appearances have included Steve McQueen’s Le Mans film.
Upholding the spirit of elegant car competitions of yesteryear, in which the men showing off their cars were accompanied by their wives, the procession of automobiles will feature models dressed for the occasion in creations by major European couturiers. In tune with the increasing feminization of the car world, the event is also a homage to Femme Mille—a theme to which the Jura-based Maison has dedicated the year 2014, with its top-flight feminine collection.
This automobile elite will be joined by 400 vehicles from clubs representing the most prestigious makes, such as Rolls-Royce, Delahaye, Facel Vega and Aston Martin.
The exceptional Chantilly estate is a highly fitting venue. Built in the 16th century according to plans by Jean Bullant, the current 19th-century château was rebuilt by the architect Honoré Daumet for Henri d’Orléans—the second youngest son of King Louis-Philippe I. Its 155-hectare grounds are the work of Le Nôtre, landscape gardener to Louis XIV and most notably the designer of the Gardens of Versailles.
Created in 2005 at the initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan, the Fondation pour la Sauvegarde et le Développement du Domaine de Chantilly has supported the restoration of the Château de Chantilly and the preservation of its grounds, including both the gardens and the Grand Stables—now home to the Living Museum of the Horse.
The splendor of the estate and the château inspired the organizers to broaden the theme of the event to an «Elegant Sunday in the Countryside»—a celebration of the manifold delights of the French way of life. With its vibrant blend of art and know-how, past and future, cars and couture, the day-long event highlights the myriad fields of French excellence, from fine arts to gastronomy and luxury goods.
Within the walls of the château, in the magnificent Jeu de Paume room of the famous Musée Condé-France’s premier museum for old paintings after the Louvre—the exhibition entitled «Fra Angelico, Botticelli… Chefs-d’œuvre retrouvés» will offer the public a preview of an exceptional collection of primitive Italian works brought together for the occasion, in addition to the very rich permanent collection of 14th and 15th century Italian paintings. As if the drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, as well as the newly-restored Simonetta Vespucci by Piero di Cosimo, were not enough in themselves, the exhibition’s original approach, supported by Richard Mille, also lies in its collection of polyptychs from around the world, offering a superb insight into the history of art and drawing in Florence and Siena during the fifteenth century.
Richard Mille invites all aficionados of art, cars and the finer things in life on September 7, 2014 to Chantilly to the Richard Mille Chantilly Arts & Elegance– without a doubt the prime elegant car event of the year in Europe.
