Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille – Elegance on Wheels

The Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille

The Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille is far more than a motorsport event. It is an expression of elegance, precision, and passion, combining the fascination of classic automobiles with the world of lifestyle. At its heart lies not pure speed, but the ability to bring driving skill, teamwork, and timing into perfect harmony. From the very start, traditionally held at a symbolic location in the heart of Paris, it becomes clear that this is an extraordinary experience that effortlessly blurs the line between sport and society.

Origins and Concept

The rally’s core idea is to place women at the center of a discipline traditionally dominated by men. Rather than focusing on speed, precision takes priority. The event follows the principle of a regularity rally: participants must maintain exact average speeds, pass checkpoints with precision, and master the route with complete concentration. This requires perfect teamwork between driver and co-driver. While one confidently navigates the classic car through winding country roads and narrow villages, the other monitors the stopwatch, roadbook, and navigation.

This focus on teamwork and precision gives the event its unique character. The rally is less a race in the conventional sense and more a rolling game of chess, where tactics, concentration, and timing determine success.

Classic Automobiles as the Main Protagonists

The vehicles participating in this rally come from an era when automobile construction was still a form of craftsmanship. Models from the 1950s to the early 1990s define the scene: elegant convertibles, sporty roadsters, rare coupés. Each car carries its own story in its paintwork, interior, and unmistakable engine sound. Many of these vehicles are rare collector’s pieces that are otherwise only seen in museums or at selected Concours d’Elegance events.

On the roads of this rally, they come alive once again. It is a spectacle that captivates enthusiasts and newcomers alike: the deep roar of a V8, the refined hum of a four-cylinder engine, and the curved lines of the bodywork set against picturesque landscapes. These cars are not merely means of transport, but expressions of style, personality, and passion.

The Route – From Paris to the South

The route has always been a central part of the experience. The starting point is the urban heart of France, often an elegant square in Paris, where the vehicles depart under the gaze of spectators, press, and enthusiasts. From there, the rally leads through diverse landscapes: the vineyards of Burgundy, the lakes and Alpine regions of Savoy, the wide plains of Provence, and finally the winding roads of the Mediterranean.

Each stage is designed to combine sporting precision with scenic pleasure. Drivers and co-drivers must focus on strict timing, while castles, picturesque villages, and open fields pass by around them. At the end of each stage awaits a destination known for its cultural significance or scenic beauty.

Precision Instead of Speed

What makes the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille so special is its emphasis. While classic rallies focus on speed, here success is determined by the art of consistency. Every second too early or too late at a checkpoint results in penalty points. Every deviation from the prescribed average speed is recorded. GPS systems often monitor every movement of the cars in detail.

This concept makes the rally a true mental challenge. Driver and co-driver must complement each other perfectly to maintain the balance between driving skill and precise timing. It is a symbiosis of technique, instinct, and discipline that defines success.

Lifestyle and Society

The rally is not only a sporting event, but also a social occasion. Even the start is accompanied by an elegant program. Designer outfits, stylish accessories, and the aesthetics of classic cars create an atmosphere reminiscent of the grand era of touring. In the evenings, stage destinations transform into meeting points for drivers, sponsors, media representatives, and guests. Gala dinners, cultural programs, and exclusive receptions make the rally an experience that extends far beyond motorsport.

The name Richard Mille is closely associated with this world. The watchmaking brand stands for technical precision and avant-garde design — values that align perfectly with the character of the rally. This partnership reinforces the luxurious nature of the event and makes it a highlight on the international event calendar.

A Symbol of Empowerment

In a motorsport world still largely dominated by men, the rally makes a conscious statement. Women take center stage here: they drive, navigate, and ultimately decide victory or defeat. The event is therefore also a symbol of empowerment and self-confidence. Many participants are successful entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, or collectors who find in this rally not only a sporting challenge, but also a platform for networking and inspiration.

The combination of motorsport and lifestyle, tradition and modernity, elegance and precision makes the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille an event that resonates far beyond the world of racing.

Elegance in Motion

The Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille is an ode to the passion for classic automobiles, the art of precision, and the elegance of lifestyle. It brings together women drivers from around the world, connects generations, and creates a spectacle that stimulates both the senses and the mind.

It is not simply a race, but a journey. A journey through landscapes, history, and emotion. A stage on which automobiles become protagonists, women demonstrate their strength, and elegance takes shape on wheels.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 1 – May 23, 2026, Paris

The day begins at Place Vendôme, in the heart of Paris. Dressed in our perfectly coordinated duo look – a white and blue bespoke dress paired with Autry sneakers – Beatrice and I pick up our 1970 Porsche 911 F from the parking garage, where it had been delivered by Porsche Basel just the day before.

Our first drive through the streets of Paris is both thrilling and challenging – certainly one of my biggest hurdles. All the more fortunate that the roads are unusually quiet on this sunny morning. Almost effortlessly, we arrive at Place Vendôme, parking our car directly in front of the iconic column, opposite the Ritz Hotel.

We then proceed to the check-in, where several stations await us: name badges, luggage drop-off, safety briefing, technical inspection of the car – and of course, the highlight of the rally: the roadbook. Two impressively thick volumes filled with routes, time controls, and the challenges of the days ahead.

The square is alive with energy. Vintage cars in every color, elegant all-female teams in coordinated outfits – laughter, conversations, and shared excitement fill the air. New connections are made, experiences exchanged, and the anticipation is palpable.

Beatrice and I retreat to the beautiful garden café of the Ritz. In the warmth of what suddenly feels like full summer, we begin preparing for the week ahead. Page by page, we study the roadbook, carefully reviewing routes and time controls, noting down questions we can still clarify today.

At 4:30 pm sharp, all teams are officially presented to applause. This is followed by a refined cocktail reception, seamlessly transitioning into an elegant evening: champagne, delicate canapés, and the official presentation by Richard Mille – a fitting and sophisticated opening to this remarkable rally.

Exhausted but full of impressions, we return to the hotel in the evening. A truly exciting first day lies behind us – and the anticipation for tomorrow, as we set off towards Troyes, could not be greater.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 2 – May 24, 2026, Paris to Troyes

Today, the Rallye truly begins.

The morning at Place Vendôme feels different from yesterday — more focused, more intense. Engines are started, final adjustments are made, and the lightheartedness of the previous day gives way to a palpable sense of concentration. Between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m., the teams set off one after another — and suddenly, it all becomes real.

From there, our route takes us to the Abbaye de Chaalis, where the official sporting start begins at 9:30 a.m. The setting is breathtaking: historic walls surrounded by nature — a moment that gives you goosebumps. According to our category and average speed, we line up, fully aware that from this point on, every second counts.

The first stage takes us from Paris to Troyes — 300 kilometers, plus the transfer route. Contrary to expectations, we do not head directly south, but first into Champagne. And it quickly becomes clear why: rolling hills, endless vineyards, and spectacular views over the Marne Valley accompany us along the way.

But as idyllic as the scenery may be, this stage is anything but a gentle introduction.

Our greatest challenge today: the time controls.

Maintaining the prescribed average speeds with absolute precision requires complete focus and perfect coordination between driver and co-driver. Every second counts — in the truest sense of the word. There are moments of uncertainty, quick corrections, and intense concentration, especially during the three regularity tests that lead us straight through the vineyards.

After lunch in Épernay, in the heart of Champagne, we continue along the Route du Champagne. The landscape remains breathtaking — almost in contrast to the mental tension inside the car.

When we finally arrive in Troyes, we feel both fulfilled and challenged. This first stage clearly showed us where we stand — and where we still need to improve.

And that is exactly what we take with us.

In the evening, we are welcomed by the Mayor at Troyes City Hall — a stylish and fitting conclusion to this intense day. With all hotels located in the city center, the evening winds down in a relaxed atmosphere — almost calm compared to the day’s dynamics.

Looking back, one thing is clear: tomorrow, we will start even better prepared.

We will continue to improve, fine-tune our teamwork, and give our very best.

Because this rally has only just begun.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 3 – May 25, 2026, Troyes to Vichy

Day 3 of the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille, and slowly but surely, we are finding our rhythm. For today’s regularity tests, we tried a new strategy — and it worked. We could clearly feel the improvement. It’s a wonderful feeling when you notice that, as a team, you are learning, becoming more precise, and seeing that focus on the road truly pays off.

Today’s stage took us from Troyes to Vichy, covering around 350 kilometers. The route led us through the famous Chablis wine region, into the Morvan, past beautiful villages, castles, and landscapes that were almost too stunning to simply pass by. Unfortunately, lunch and coffee breaks are always far too short to fully enjoy these places. You arrive, take a quick breath, grab a coffee, look around for a moment — and then it’s already time to continue.

But perhaps that is part of the rally itself: collecting impressions while in motion. Light, curves, heat, dust, applause, concentration — and always, once again, these breathtaking landscapes.

Our Porsche 911 E from 1970 continues to perform beautifully. Despite the heat, it never let us down. The engine purrs like a cat and gives us that wonderful feeling of complete trust. It is something very special to travel with such a classic — not just as a car, but almost like a third team member.

The arrival in Vichy was joyful and full of energy. So many people lined the streets, applauding and cheering as we entered the city. The town itself was full of charm and history, and the atmosphere in the evening could hardly have been better. The party at the pavilion was a true highlight: elegant, vibrant, full of energy, and the perfect ending to an intense rally day.

Tired, happy, and a little proud, we head into the next day. The rally challenges us — but it also rewards us with unforgettable moments.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 4 – May 26, 2026, Vichy to Aix-les Bains

Today was hot. Really hot. Over 30 degrees Celsius, and at times it felt like not only us, but our Porsche also needed to take a deep breath.

Just after 9 a.m., we left Vichy in high spirits and full of confidence. After the last few days, Beatrice and I finally felt that we were finding our rhythm. We were motivated, focused, and excited for what the day ahead would bring. The mountains were calling — and we were ready.

The stage took us from Vichy to Aix-les-Bains, around 350 kilometers through the Rhône-Alpes region, past Beaujolais, through the Gorges de la Loire, and over the Grand Colombier. The scenery was breathtaking. This mix of winding roads, mountains, small villages, viewpoints, and endless roads is difficult to describe. You constantly want to stop, look around, and take it all in — but the rally keeps calling you forward.

Today’s regularity tests went noticeably better for us. That felt incredibly rewarding. We realized that our new strategy is working and that we are becoming more confident as a team. It’s a beautiful feeling when you are not just driving together, but truly thinking, reacting, and improving together.

Of course, not everything went perfectly. We had issues with the speaker system, and roadworks and traffic slowed us down at times. But that is also part of the experience. You have to improvise, stay calm, and keep moving forward.

One particularly memorable moment was our coffee stop at Château de la Roche, a 13th-century castle located on a small island in the Loire. The viewpoints in the mountains were equally stunning. For a brief moment, we could pause, drink some water, enjoy the scenery, and simply feel grateful to be part of this adventure.

Our Porsche was thirsty for oil — just as we were thirsty for water. In this heat, every break felt like a small rescue. But once again, the car never let us down. The engine kept running bravely and reliably, almost as if it were telling us: “Come on, we’ve got this.”

The final stretch over the Col du Grand Colombier, with its famous serpentine roads, was both demanding and spectacular. The view over Aix-les-Bains and Lac du Bourget was without question one of the highlights of the day.

By the time we arrived at the harbor, we were tired, sweaty, but incredibly happy. The atmosphere was wonderful. In the evening, another special highlight awaited us: a Gatsby-themed night at the casino. After such a hot and intense rally day, the roaring twenties atmosphere felt exactly right — glamorous, joyful, and full of life.

A day filled with heat, curves, small challenges, and unforgettable moments. And at the end, one beautiful realization: with every stage, we grow more and more together.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 5 – May 27, 2026, Aix-les Bains to Nîmes

Today’s stage was the marathon stage of this rally: 365 kilometers from Aix-les-Bains to Nîmes. From the very beginning of the morning, it was clear that this would be one of the most intense days yet. Temperatures were exceptionally high, everyone was sweating, and many teams struggled with technical issues. There was a special sense of tension in the air, as this stage would take us through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the rally.

In the morning, we drove through the foothills of the Chartreuse mountains and right through the heart of the Vercors region. Many sections were planned as liaison stages, which allowed us to truly enjoy the scenery. After the Colombier pass the day before, the gorges were once again an absolute highlight: dramatic cliffs, narrow roads, wide-open views, and that feeling of driving through a movie set. Despite the heat, it was incredibly beautiful and deeply moving.

Our start to the day went well at first. We managed to get our speaker system for the time controls working again and were able to begin the stage fully focused. Especially during the regularity tests, every detail matters, and it felt good to start this long stage with functioning equipment and a positive mindset.

Later, the route continued toward the Drôme Provençale region. Today’s coffee stop turned into a later apéro stop before lunch at Château Les Oliviers de Salettes. After so many kilometers, the heat, and the constant concentration, this break was especially welcome. A moment to breathe, drink, regroup, and continue.

In the afternoon, we continued through the foothills of the Ardèche, including the breathtaking Gorges de l’Ardèche and a stop at the Chartreuse de Valbonne. The scenery was absolutely stunning, but the heat was extremely demanding for both people and machines. You could feel everywhere just how exhausting this day had become. Many cars struggled with overheating, and in the end, the final time control had to be cancelled because of it.

During our afternoon break, we had a bit of luck in disguise: our tire suddenly started losing air. Most likely, the extreme heat had affected the inner tube. Fortunately, we noticed it immediately, and it happened right in the parking lot. Not a dangerous moment on the road, but a scare at exactly the right place and time. The lovely guys from the Classic Car Mechanical Team immediately helped us change the tire, and we are incredibly grateful for that. In moments like these, you truly feel what makes this rally so special: even though it is a competition, everyone still supports one another.

After the tire incident, we were able to get going again and eventually crossed the finish line in Nîmes feeling happy and relieved. Tired, sweaty, but happy. It was a stage that challenged us both physically and mentally, but also rewarded us with unforgettable memories and breathtaking images.

In the evening, a very special finale was waiting for us: a Roman-themed evening on the rooftop of the Musée de la Romanité in Nîmes. The location was beautiful, elegant, and perfectly suited to the city. After such a long and hot day, coming together up there was simply wonderful. So many women, so many stories, so much energy and joy gathered in one place. You could feel the relief, the pride, and that unique connection that develops during a rally like this.

It was an evening for arriving, sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying the moment. Under the open sky, above the rooftops of Nîmes, surrounded by Roman atmosphere and many inspiring women. After such an intense stage, the moment felt almost magical: exhausted, yet fulfilled, grateful and happy to be part of this adventure.

Rallye des Princesses 2026 – DiaryDay 6 – May 28, 2026, Nîmes to Saint-Tropez

With a smile that had not left my face since Nîmes, we set off on the final stage of the rally. The excitement was already there from the early morning hours—you can feel it when something extraordinary is coming to an end, something you know you will never forget.

The route took us through Provence at its absolute best: the Rhône Valley, the stunning skies above Les Baux-de-Provence, and a leisurely lunch at Château de Sannes in the Luberon. For the first time during this rally, we truly had time. Time to pause, breathe, and enjoy. Time for a proper lunch, for conversations without constantly checking the clock, and for realizing: we have almost made it.

And then—Saint-Tropez.

Arriving at Place des Lices is one of those moments you simply cannot plan for. The crowds, the applause, the excitement, the sunshine. You slowly make your way through the inevitable traffic jam—but that, too, is part of the rally experience. And then suddenly you're there. Keys still in hand, heart still racing. We made it.

What these six days have done to me is difficult to put into words. We started as a team—and arrived as a family. We navigated together, doubted together, laughed together. We met women who inspired us, surprised us, and moved us. Each one carries her own story, energy, and strength. That is exactly what makes the Rallye des Princesses so special.

In the evening, the celebrations continued with the traditional White Party: white dresses, joyful laughter, and Princesses dancing beneath the Saint-Tropez sky. It did not feel like an ending—it felt more like a promise. A promise to return. Better prepared, even more curious, and even more courageous.

I am deeply grateful—to my co-driver, to our partners who accompanied us on this adventure: Porsche Basel Classic Car, Lesunja Fine Jewellery & Watches, Globus Beauty, Autry Global, Vipera The Label, Wicky Store, CW Fashion, Denium, Qismat, and to the photographers who captured these unforgettable moments.

And of course, to the Rallye des Princesses team, who create something truly unique year after year.

One thing I know for certain:

This was not my last rally.

Lisa Lesunja

Quellen:

https://www.richardmille.com/events/rallye-des-princesses

https://www.instagram.com/rallyedesprincesses

https://www.instagram.com/richardmille/

https://www.peterauto.fr/evenements/rallye-des-princesses-richard-mille/

https://www.classicdriver.com/de/article/sponsored-content/die-rallye-des-princesses-richard-mille-ist-ein-must-event-fur-alle