Charleston Story for the 10th edition of Ladies Rally Vintage Cars Monaco

It was a sunny day of 10th of September, one Monaco morning and the temperatures were already hiking. Cafe de Paris dressed up in a new outfit: the roaring 20s and everyone present was eager to find out how the day would unveil to them. Monaco had now the allure that best fits it: the sparkling glamour that shines with laughter and joie de vivre. The paillettes and dresses, lavishing outfits, cars and behaviours were all at rendezvous. 

Child Care Monaco, powerul with its founder Martine Ackermann

But besides this effervescence lied the effort of a truly brilliant Monaco personality, Martine Ackermann, the President of the association Child Care Monaco who had created this event in order to help the girls in India, South Africa to have access to education. Martine has this truly authentic spirit and, with this, she spreads smiles all around her. Just like this 10th of September for the 10th edition of Ladies Rally Vintage Cars!

20s fashion and lifestyle were at rendez-vous

Everything was at rendezvous: the ladies dressed in sparkling fringed dresses, the gents with their berets and suspenders, the vintage car roaring like the echo of the era's parties, and Monaco as the glitz background to ensure the perfect frame. 

In the sound of the impatient cars, feathers and paillettes were floating in the air, hands were waving to the strangers smiling at this movie-depicted living scenes. The 20s were perfectly alive at the Place de Casino, thanks to Child Care Monaco. 

And the journey started with the blue Mediterranean frame changing to green hills and balmy late summer light that was tickling the eyes in these luxurious convertibles. The heat started to make its presence felt making the ladies want to take a pause and refresh themselves. A good pretext to pour more champagne! We stopped on our way to lunch for a glass and a little dance in the parking. 

Princely Living History

Slowly we restarted the engines, this time having the princely feeling of living history. I was in the amazing Delahaye car that was once driven by Prince Rainier with Grace Kelly and the children, Prince Albert, Charlotte and Stephanie. It was an exalting moment of plunging into this time-frozen instant. I could see Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly in front of the car with an elegance worthy of a royal couple and the smiles of a glorious family. The time stood still evoking cinematic imagination. I was the screenwriter while the entire line of vintage convertibles was passing us by. 

Adventures and surprises for the rally

Suddenly, I woke to reality! A small but costly accident took place with the James Bond car, Aston Martin DB5. In an intersection, someone entered into the car causing a small fright to the kids in the back. Everything was smoothly back in order and we continued our road to the gastronomic lunch at Le Mas des Geranium with a Charleston show ensured by Speakeasy. Everybody was allured into dancing the 20s moves. It was hot but each dance was worthwhile.

Landscape changes but the festive mood remains

We left the bucolic landscape for the medieval Eze where we had the tea time and refreshed a bit under the trees, enjoying the softer start of the sunset. A last dance in the parking before the next direction: the Prince Palace where the trophies were given to the most elegant teams, cars, drivers. Princess Stephanie of Monaco was present, too, and she was, in fact, the initiator of this year's theme as a commemoration of the centenary of Prince Rainier: the 20s. 

Everybody finished the evening with a sweet memory of the day clinking the glasses for the next year's edition to join. 

What surprises are reserved for next year's participants? Only Martine Ackermann could tell! 

Article by Andra Oprea