On land and at sea, this year’s event organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco will bring together more than 50 traditional sailing boats, 14 vintage motor yachts, 70 antique motorboats, including an exceptional fleet of 52 Rivas, and 25 Dinghy 12s. It promises to be a unique spectacle, showcasing more than a century of maritime heritage.
Organised under the patronage of BMW and chaired by Allegra Gucci, the Jury of artists and well known personalities assess the beauty of the boat’s lines, conduct of the crew and respect for naval etiquette, as the boats pass by in front of them in a parade.
Talented chefs will face off in the galleys… on board their yachts! In collaboration with Moët Hennessy and using set ingredients, they will unleash their creativity to surprise a demanding jury, supervised by Philippe Joannès, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2000, and Simon Ganache, YCM Events Chef, blending gastronomy with the art of living at sea.
Located on Quai de l’Hirondelle, in the heart of YCM Marina and overlooking the spectacular yachts of the Monaco Classic Week, the Village is open to the public. Around fifteen exhibitors will be present: shipyards, marine artisans, painters, photographers, sculptors, and antique dealers. Visitors can also explore, along the docks, a unique exhibition celebrating the connection between yachting and cinema, as well as the art exhibition “Rock & Royals,” showcased in the Ballroom (Deck 3) of the Yacht Club.
Th ere are around 50 classic sailing yachts moored along the quays of the YCM Marina, many of which are centenarians. Among them are pioneers from the late 19th century including Lulu (1897), Kismet (1898), Black Swan (1899), Sky (1890) and Tigris (1899). Th e early 20th century is also well represented with Invader (1905), Oriole (1905), Vidi II (1905), Viola (1908), Joyant (1911), Corinthian (1911), Olympian (1913), Mariette of 1915 (1915) and Th ea (1918).
The cradle of motorboating, in 1904 Monaco hosted the first international powerboat meetings. Visionary industrialists and daring mariners gathered to push the limits of speed on the water. In their wake, Chris Craft and Riva are at the forefront in perpetuating their timeless elegance. These boats, hand-crafted luxury objects in their own right, have come to symbolise nautical refinement. Their presence at Monaco Classic Week offers unique insight into the golden age of yachting which continues to glow in the Principality.
The era of steam power for pleasure boats began around 1870. It gradually disappeared from the 1910s but not without producing some of the most superb achievements in naval architecture. Th e era of the motor yacht gradually replaced it. Just before and after the First World War, it saw technical and aesthetic developments that established it without losing the elegance and refi nement of classic yachting.