Cote dAzur

Classic Yachts Battle It Out at Panerai Regatta in Antibes

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events, Sports

The first Mediterranean leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2010 sponsored by the luxe Italian watch brand is now complete with an impressive showing amongst the elegant craft. The yachts Mariska, an auric cutter from 1908; Rowdy, a Marconi cutter from 1916; and Chaplin, a 16-metre Italian Navy vessel built in 1974, won in the "Big Boats", "Vintage" and "Classic" categories respectively during the race days at the famous French resort of Antibes on the Cote d'Azur. The winners each received a Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio - 47 mm watch, specially created by Officine Panerai for this new season of regattas and produced in a limited edition of just 500 pieces. In total 51 boats split into seven categories participated in the event which was organized by the Yacht Club d'Antibes and the Club Nautique d'Antibes. Also present in Antibes, though not participating in the regattas, was Eilean, the classic 1936 yacht built by Scottish boatyard Fife, recently restored by Officine Panerai, which we wrote about in April.

Gallery: Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2010 Antibes

Tags: Antibes, classic yacht, Cote dAzur, France, Mediterranean, Officine Panerai, Panerai, regatta, sailing, sailing yacht, watches, yacht, yacht racing

Tour the Alps in the New Mercedes SLS AMG

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

For about bout $21,000 you can now take an incredible week-long tour from the French Alps to the Cote d'Azur at the wheel of a brand new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The tariff, about $14,000 for the car and $7,000 for accommodations and meals (excluding essential incidentals like wine and gas), is fairly reasonable considering what Loeven SportwagenTouren, Europe's premier supercar touring company, includes in its amazing Tour des Niveaux: the 7-day journey begins in Zurich and traverses breathtaking alpine roads from Mont Blanc to the famous seaside Grande Corniche between Nice and Menton. The tour also includes stopovers at boutique luxury hotels, many of them historically significant, as well as incredible cuisine at Michelin-starred eateries en route. The SLS AMG is just one of the supercar options with everything from Ferraris to Bugattis available at a price. There's also a classic car version for old-school enthusiasts. The classic car dates are June 5th - June 11th, and the SLS and others are available from June 12th - June 18th. Space is of course very limited.

Tags: Alps, Cote dAzur, CoteDazur, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-benzSlsAmg, supercar, Switzerland

Rent a Dartz Kombat on the French Riviera

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

Getting behind the wheel of a Dartz Kombat, the ridiculous $200,000 Russian grenade-proof luxury SUV, may not be very high on your 'to do' list at the moment, but if you really feel the need head to the Cote d'Azur. Dartz - which earlier announced plans for a $1.5 million version upholstered in whale penis leather, then backed off after Pam Anderson and PETA protested - has partnered with Cannes Car Rental to offer the clownish conveyance for those looking to play the part of an oligarch on-the-go. The rates start at $8,000 per day but you get to choose the color you want and attending bodyguards are also available. Here's Dartz's sales pitch in its inimitable awkward English:

"Dartz Kombat is your soul car. Strong and armored – but friendly and lovely, Your friend car, Your guard car. Car which remember Tzars and Princesses, car which remember wars and rally's, lost's and victory's. Car which were loved by commie Tzars and car which once shocked this world. Dartz Kombat is the most original, luxurious and expensive SUV in the world."

Tags: armored car, ArmoredCar, Cote dAzur, CoteDazur, Dartz, Dartz Kombat, DartzKombat, France, Russia, SUV

See the Swiss Alps at the Wheel of a Bugatti Veyron

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

For about $18,000 per day you can now take the tour of your life at the wheel of a Bugatti Veyron on an incredible drive from the Swiss Alps to the Côte d'Azur. Loeven SportwagenTouren, Europe's premier supercar touring company, is now offering the Veyron as an option on its mind-blowing Tour des Niveaux. The 7-day journey begins in Zurich and traverses breathtaking alpine roads including the famed Col dʻIseran, the world's highest Alpine mountain pass at over 9,000 ft. above sea level. Hairpin turns and eye-popping scenery are to be found from Mont Blanc to the famous seaside Grande Corniche between Nice and Menton. The tour also includes stopovers at boutique luxury hotels, many of them historically significant, as well as incredible cuisine at Michelin-starred eateries en route. In addition to the Bugatti, a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati is also available on a sliding scale, with a Rolls-Royce, Konigsegg or even a Pagani possible by special request.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Bugatti, Bugatti Veyron, BugattiVeyron, Cote dAzur, CoteDazur, France, Loeven SportwagenTouren, LoevenSportwagentouren, Nice, supercar, Swiss Alps, SwissAlps, Switzerland, tour

Riviera's Famed Proven�al Hotel to Re-Open as Apts.

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

A famed Art Deco hotel on the Côte d'Azur that's been derelict since 1973 is being turned into a luxury apartment building catering to the bon ton. Developer Cyril Dennis is relaunching Le Provençal, on the border between Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes, where the likes of Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald once frolicked.

The London Telegraph reports that Dennis is transforming the 45,000-sq.ft. beachside property, built in 1925, into 56 luxury units with 360-degree views, indoor / outdoor pools, private gardens, Porsche kitchens, marble floors, Turkish baths and aquariums. He describes the Provençal as "the last jewel in the Cap d'Antibes," an area where top-drawer villas now go for over $200 million thanks to an influx of superrich oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich.

Gallery: Le ProvenÃ§al