Monaco Classic Week

Monaco Classic Week, also known as La Belle Classe, is a biennial event that has been taking place in Monaco since 1994. This prestigious gathering is dedicated to honoring sailing and motor boats, and it is recognized as the first event of its kind in the world. Monaco Classic Week is a voyage through time, celebrating the maritime heritage of the Yacht Club de Monaco, and it is the only event that brings together the most beautiful traditional sailing boats, vintage motor-yachts, and old motorboats.

The event is known for its exceptional fleet, which is carefully selected and invited by the Yacht Club de Monaco. In the past, the event has featured more than 100 classic yachts, including seven of the big schooners from the International Schooner Association. The fleet also includes a catboat-rigged Olympic monohull with a lug sail, and a fleet of 20' Dinghies.

Monaco Classic Week is not just a static display of beautiful boats; it is also a week of thrilling regatta days, races, and maneuverability competitions. The event includes parades and competitions for different categories of boats, such as regattas, races, and maneuverability competitions.

The event also includes the Prix de la Restauration, which rewards the quality of catering aboard these vessels, some of which are more than a century old. The Concours des Chefs is a modest competition for the chefs aboard each of the yachts taking part, who are provided with a basket of ingredients. Importantly, no two boats have the same galley layout or equipment.

The Concours d’Elégance judges the style, class, and harmony of the crews and their boats. Sailing yachts, motor yachts, and canots sail past the pier where the jury sits, their crews using all their imagination to harmonise their outfits and movements with their vessel's standing.

The Trophée Monaco Classic Week is the crowning accolade presented to the boat and crew that best meet all of the criteria, from catering to elegance.

Visitors can admire these fantastic boats from a number of points overlooking Monegasque waters, including the Rainier III Auditorium, the Rainier III Solarium, the Jardins Saint Martins, or for a front row seat, from the Terraces of the Yacht Club de Monaco.