Do you St Tropez?

Legendary South of France hotspot will be the venue for a new ‘world-class’ concours

A NEW, STAR-STUDDED classic car concours is to take place in the South of France, with half-price tickets for 75 lucky Octane readers. Organised by V Management, Rendez-Vous Riviera will be at the SaintTropez Polo Club on Sunday 3 October and just 500 guests will be hosted by Octane columnist Derek Bell and Jodie Kidd. It promises to feature ‘the most beautiful cars in the world’, both modern and classic, displayed on polo field number 1 in front of the club house. But this will not just be a car show; it will be ‘a relaxed and informal daytime party, with DJs, live music, a fashion show, cocktail bar, great food and convivial company’.

In the run-up to the event Derek Bell will be hosting his own tour, featuring 20 high-end classic and modern sports cars on a five-day route through Provence from Casino Square, Monaco to Saint-Tropez, finishing at The Saint-Tropez Polo Club the afternoon before Rendez-Vous Riviera. The tour will be joined on the final day by dozens of other fabulous cars from along the Riviera in a convoy that will meander on superb roads from Aix-en-Provence to the final destination. That night there will be a celebratory party at Château de la Messardière, where tour guests will be joined by visitors attending the show the following day.

Rendez-Vous Riviera will coincide with Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the annual classic yacht regatta. Gone from the old harbour for ten days are the gin palaces, and in their place are dozens of elegant teak-decked ketches that can be seen during the day racing off Pampelonne beach. Although Rendez-Vous Riviera will be a one-day affair, guests are being encouraged to spend a late summer weekend in Saint-Tropez, enjoying the car event and its parties as well as the atmosphere of Les Voiles.

The Derek Bell Tour and Rendez-Vous Riviera will raise funds for automotive charity Veloce, whose activities also include an annual charity track day at Goodwood hosted by Derek Bell and Damon Hill.

Tickets for Rendez-Vous Riviera cost £650 per person, with £100 from each ticket going to Veloce, while 75 half-price tickets are available to Octane readers. Two- and three-night weekend packages are available at the 5-star Château de la Messardière.

For further details contact sara@v-management.com.