Few things in the world resonate as deeply as driving on a sunny day, especially if it’s in a convoy. Now imagine that convoy consists of 6 Bentleys, an ‘80s Porsche, and a vintage Range Rover, traveling from Paris to Beaune.
The fortunate individual who embarked on this journey were part of a rally titled “Castles, Cars & Art de Vivre,” hosted by the incredibly stylish and hospitable Alexander Kraft, in association with Sotheby’s Realty South of France and Bentley. When an opportunity like this came up, there was no way one could decline.
It all started at Ralph’s in the heart of Paris. After a swift journey on the Eurostar and a ride in a Bentley Flying Spur from Gare du Nord to the hotel, the evening was set at this chic and sophisticated restaurant. The restaurant is undelinably Ralph Lauren with walls decorated with polo equipment, low ambient lighting, and an elegant courtyard. We were seated amongst renowned personalities from social media, (@onlyclassy) and Filippo (@gentlemansgram). Events like these have a unique charm, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups with a shared passion; in this instance, that passion was cars, real estate and style.
The delicacies at Ralph’s were delectable, especially the lobster salad and the signature Ralph’s burger. Conversations flourished, spanning topics from vintage Formula One to watch exchanges. The day, however, had to come to a close, with the next day’s drive being eagerly anticipated.
The morning at the St James Hotel introduced the ensemble of cars for the weekend, primarily from Alexander’s collection, and a few 2022 models provided by Bentley. Soon, they were navigating through the bustling streets of Paris. The journey took us to the beautiful Château d’Aunoy, where the first round of car swapping commenced. We drove various cars, but driving the Porsche was a significant moment, especially being a manual with no power steering and driver aids. The emotions was palpable, a feeling most car enthusiasts can relate to.
The journey continued with pitstops and changing vehicles, leading us to Château Nuits-Saint-Georges, our accommodation for the next couples of nights. That evening, we were treated to a black-tie dinner hosted by Alexander Kraft himself and filled with French culinary delights. But the best moments occurred on the veranda amidst deep and eclectic conversations, complemented by cigars.
The next morning, after a French breakfast, we made our way to Château de Savigny-les-Beaune. The property showcased a vast collection of Abarth vehicles and an astounding array of mid-century aircraft. However, the urge to drive overshadowed everything else, and soon we were back on the road heading to Château de Chaillouvres. The final day’s highlight was driving Alexander’s Azure, despite its unusual steering demands.
The weekend was filled with unparalleled experiences and memories. Alexander Kraft Monte Carlo and Sotheby’s Realty France were showered with gratitude, and anticipation for the 2023 edition was already building among those at Gentleman Jungle.
Check out the 2023 edition here
