From Cols to Couture: The Glamorous Journey of the 2025 Historic Monte Carlo Rally
The event will begin on Thursday, January 30, just four days after the conclusion of the 93rd Monte-Carlo Rally.
The 2025 edition is planned by the Automobile Club of Monaco to be even more attractive with, as usual, a majority of Regularity Stages (RS) that have helped to write the event’s great history!
Competitors will be battling it out for overall victory, in a bid to dethrone Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo, winners of the 2024 event in their 1979 Opel Ascona 400.
The historic version of Rallye Monte-Carlo is reserved to cars that took part in former editions of Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, and in 2025 to models having raced between 1911 and 1983.
Competitors will set off successively from Bad Homburg, Reims, Monte-Carlo and Turin. Their common destination is Place du Champ de Mars in Valence, the prefecture of the Drôme department and a traditional stopover town, which the first competitors will reach on the afternoon of Friday January 31.
The First Four Regularity Stages
The first four regularity stages are scheduled for the following day, Saturday February 1, included in a Classification Leg. This first day of the race will not be a restful one for the competitors, however, starting with a classic of the Vercors massif: Col Gaudissart – La Cîme du Mas and its atypical Col de l’Écharasson (1146 m). Then on to Les Nonnières – Chichilianne and its dreaded Col de Menée (1402 m) before the mid-day time check organised in Clelles, home of the rally in the Dauphiné area. The next stage will be La Piarre – Valdrôme including the crossing of Col de Carabès (1261 m), the natural border between the Hautes-Alpes and Drôme departments. Back to “Drôme Provençale” to finish the day with La Motte-Chalancon – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert via Col de Chamauche (1037 m). The competitors are expected to arrive at Champ de Mars back in Valence.
To Ardeche for the Part 1 of the Common Leg
Competitors will head for Ardèche on Sunday February 2 for Part 1 of the Common Leg. They will first have to reach Privas before starting the day with the new Saint-Julien-du-Gua – Col des Quatre Vios This will be followed by a welcome stop-over on the road, in Vals-les-Bains, as in the old days. Next will come the classic version of Burzet – Saint-Martial via the Ray-Pic waterfall. The mid-day break is scheduled on Market Square in Saint-Agrève where competitors and friends will enjoy a tasting of local produce, before continuing with a new stage Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid – Vanosc followed by Saint-Pierre-sur-Doux – Lalouvesc.
The return to Valence is once again preceded by a traditional popular and festive stopover on Quai Farconnet in Tournon-sur-Rhône.
Vercors, Diois and Baronnies Massifs for Part 2 of the Common Leg
Heading for the Vercors, Diois and Baronnies massifs is the plan for Monday February 3 for Part 2 of the Common Leg.
The Longest Day of the Rally
The longest day of the rally will begin with the ascent of Col de Tourniol (1145m) between Barbières – Gigors-et-Lozeron. The difficulties will increase with the next stage, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – Chalancon taking competitors over Col de Muse (932m), Col de Chamauche (1037m) and Col de la Croix (722m). The mid-day break is scheduled in Buis les Baronnies before the longest stage of the rally, Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze – Roussieux covering some 40km and including Col de Perty (1302m), Col de Reychasset (1052m) and Col de Pierre-Vesce (1013m). The final difficulty on this leg will be Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec and the crossing of Col de Pennes (1040 m). The last stop of the day before the return to Valence will be on Place du Champ de Mars in Crest.
Final Part of the Common Leg
On Tuesday February 4, the start from Valence is scheduled. This 3rd and final part of the Common Leg will begin with La Charce – Rosans and its Col de Pommerol (1072m). The stage continues with “Sisteron – Thoard and Col de Fontbelle (1304m).
The Descent to the Principality of Monaco
Finally, to complete the descent to the Principality of Monaco, the remaining competitors will head for Briançonnet – Entrevaux with Col du Buis (1196m) and Col de Félines (926m) on the cards. Entry into Parc Fermé in Monaco will be scheduled from 4:20pm onwards, preceded by a time check at La Turbie.
The Final Leg Around Monaco Including the Col de Turini
The start of the Final Leg, scheduled for the night of Tuesday February 4 to Wednesday 5, will take place in Monaco from 9pm. On the menu for this final night are two legendary stages of the Monegasque event, including Col de Braus – Lantosque with no fewer than four passes on the way, including Col de l’Ablé (1149m), Col de l’Orme (1005m), Col Saint-Roch (990m) and Col de la Porte (1057m). Last and not least, the last confrontation will happen between La Bollène-Vésubie – Moulinet including the majestic Col de Turini (1607m).
Tuxedos and evening gowns in a glittering evening to finish
The race is due to finish in Monaco’s Port Hercule from 1:10am.
Finally, in keeping with tradition, the Gala Evening and Prize Giving Ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday February 5 in the prestigious Salle des Etoiles at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. Expect tuxedos and evening gowns in a glittering and festive evening.
