The Bugatti Festival And Its Cavalcade Of Legends

The Bugatti Festival

A sentimental occasion that takes place every year to rejoice the birthplace of the iconic marque, the Bugatti Festival and its cavalcade of legends in Molsheim, France.

Organized by the Enthousiastes Bugatti Alsace (EBA), the momentous occasion is always held on the weekend closest to Ettore Bugatti’s birthday, 15 September.

The Bugatti Festival

The schedule of events began as it traditionally does, where the Bugatti Festival took to the streets of Molsheim with a visit to the founder’s final resting place in Dorlisheim Cemetery.

Then, on the 16th, the cavalcade of 56 vintage Bugattis alongside six client-owned modern Bugatti hyper sports cars assembled in Molsheim for the first drive around Alsace.

The Bugatti Festival

Namely, the line-up represented a number of outstanding icons including the Type 13, Type 35, Type 44, Type 49, Type 57, Type 101. 

Many are Grand Prix legends with notable racing heritage, while others hide their cutting-edge engineering under elegant coachbuilt bodies handcrafted for the early 20th Century elite.

The Bugatti Festival

On the 17th, after exploring the home of Bugatti, Château Saint Jean, the swarm of Bugattis made their way out for a second drive in Alsace and in the Vosges mountains.

They were flanked by the six client Bugattis, two Veyron, a Veyron Grand Sport, a Chiron Sport, a Type 101 Antem, and a rare EB110 America, of which the latter designed specifically for the US market.

That’s not all, Bugatti also supplied a Chiron Pur Sport and a Chiron Super Sport to complete the already spectacular scene.

The Bugatti Festival

Ensuing that, on the 18th, the clarion call of legendary Bugatti engines echoed around the Parc des Jésuites in Molsheim, for the public display of the marque’s historic and modern-day icons.

After which in the afternoon, they were paraded again through the streets of Molsheim, before halting to be judged by a panel of experts.

The Bugatti Festival

Meticulously, the judges examined each masterpiece in search for an example truly worthy of the Coupe Bugatti Automobiles.

Well deserved, the trophy was awarded to a Type 57C Cabriolet Corsica, honoring Bugatti’s open-top legacy that is continued to such stunning effect today by the recently revealed W16 Mistral.

The Bugatti Festival, Type 57C Cabriolet Corsica

In addition to that, the Trophée Fondation Bugatti was also presented, and this year’s winner was a Type 46 Petite Royale’ by Gangloff.

Beautifully, the intricate trophy was built from the same materials used to create Bugatti cars, and crowned by a piece of Lalique crystal.

The Bugatti Festival, Type 46 Petite Royale’

Bugatti Automobiles’ president, Christophe Piochon, concluded, “When we call Molsheim the home of Bugatti, we mean it in the truest sense of the word. Yes, the cars are handbuilt here, but it’s a far deeper connection than purely that. A visit to Molsheim is like a pilgrimage for enthusiasts of the Bugatti brand, delivering a greater understanding of the man that began this journey and the cars that have written it into the pages of history. We’re proud to be continuing this legacy by supporting the Bugatti Festival and maintaining the home of Bugatti in Alsace.”

The Bugatti Festival