LAON HISTORIQUE

LAON, FRANCE MAY 13-15

This year’s Laon Historique saw 1038 vehicles – 565 from the UK alone – converge on the historic town located 120 miles south of Calais. It’s an event that’s come a long way in 25 years – the first in 1992 had just 19 participants.

In previous years the weekend has started with a day-long tour throughout the Saturday, but this year’s 125-mile drive was preceded by a Friday lunchtime gathering at Arras, situated midway between Calais and Laon. While the picturesque town has been a traditional lunch stop for those heading for Laon, this was its first year as an official part of the tour and the two main squares were given over to the Historique, which had almost doubled in classic car numbers compared with last year.

As usual, the Saturday run was superbly organised and took in the beautiful Picardie countryside as spectators lined the route to cheer the cars through.

The lunchtime stop was at Parfondeval, recently voted one of the prettiest towns in France. With only 150 inhabitants on a normal weekend the marshals had their work cut out accommodating nearly 1000 vehicles in various fields.

The Sunday consisted of everyone displaying their classic in the various streets and squares before a circuit was created, allowing owners to do laps of the town. A carnival atmosphere saw locals line the streets looking for empty car seats into which they could plonk their kids for free rides. While this was the biggest Laon Historique yet, the 2017 bash will be smaller but no less fun. If you didn‘t get there this year make sure you keep 2-5 June free. Vicky Dredge www.sceniccartours.com