The 17th edition of Monaco Classic Week - La Belle Classe promises to be an exceptional maritime event, celebrating the unique alliance between nautical heritage and the Mediterranean art of living.
More than just a nautical event, this meeting perpetuates the maritime heritage by preserving the craftsmanship and art of traditional navigation. In the spirit of the Yacht Club de Monaco's "Art de Vivre la Mer", the event encourages convivial exchanges between owners and crews, embodying the elegance and refinement that are the hallmarks of Monegasque savoir-vivre.
Maritime heritage
This biennial event, created in 1994, echoes the first motorboat meetings in 1904, and is the only one to bring together the finest traditional sailing boats, with vintage motor yachts and old motorboats. For the last four editions, it has also included a fleet of Dinghies 20', Olympic one-design sailing boats, light catboat-rigged dinghies fitted with one-third boom sails.
An exceptional fleet
In the Mediterranean circuit of traditional yachting gatherings, Monaco Classic Week is unique in bringing together a very exclusive line-up of classic sailing and motor yachts, selected and invited by the Yacht Club de Monaco.
To the delight of the owners, who are delighted to meet up and share their passion, a more intimate format has been chosen, where only yachts built before 1950 with a wooden mast can drop anchor in the YCM Marina.
A wind of competition
The event, orchestrated by the Yacht Club de Monaco, continues in this very special spirit, which is as appealing as ever, with a harmonious combination of parade and competition:
- Regattas, races and manoeuvrability contests for the various categories. In 2021, a round trip to Ventimiglia and its new marina at Cala del Forte, located around 8 miles from the Monegasque port, has been organised.
- The Restoration Prize, which rewards the quality of the restoration work carried out on these yachts, which are often over a hundred years old.
- The Chefs' Competition is a small competition for the chefs on board each of the yachts entered, who are awarded a basket of ingredients. It's worth noting that no two boats have identical configurations. The kitchens and equipment are totally different.
- The Concours d'Elegance judges the style, class and harmony of the crews and their boats. Sailboats, canoes and motor yachts parade past the jetty where the jury sits, their crews displaying their imagination to harmonise their attire and body language with the standing of their craft.
- The Monaco Classic Week Trophy rewards all the criteria assessed in terms of restoration and elegance, and crowns the overall winner of the event.
Where can you see them?
Enthusiasts and novices alike can admire these fantastic ships from a number of points around Monaco's waters, including the Rainier III Auditorium, the Rainier III Solarium, the Jardins Saint Martins, or from the front row of the Yacht Club de Monaco's terraces.
All set sail for a unique experience.
Consult the event programme on the Monaco Classic Week website