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Journées d’Automne 2025: friendship on wheels
Fifteen years ago, Journées d’Automne began as a spontaneous idea among friends who wanted to enjoy one last weekend with their cars before winter set in. The ingredients were simple yet perfect: remarkable cars, good food, wine and Champagne, historic locations, a blend of circuit and rally — and above all, friendship. That spirit still forms the heart of this unique event, as this year’s stories once again proved.
Take Gilles, a young enthusiast who arrived at the start with his Austin Seven race car. When his engine started acting up, engine whisperer Karim Denymm came to the rescue. From his Jaguar saloon, he produced what looked like half a workshop, and together they spent almost the entire Saturday tinkering beside the coffee truck. Just before closing time, the little Seven roared back to life and completed the 155-kilometre rally the next day without a hitch.
Another team faced a major fuel leak on Saturday evening. Their dinner went half uneaten, but thanks to the help of fellow participants, the car was ready again by midnight — ready for Sunday’s rally. Moments like these show what truly makes Journées d’Automne special: camaraderie, passion and pure joy.
The three-day event begins on Friday with a grand barbecue in an old barn, lit by candles and warmed by an open fire — the perfect reunion after a year of waiting. Saturday is all about action on the 3.2-kilometre Circuit des Écuyers, interspersed with coffee, conversations and Champagne. Lunch and dinner take place at the medieval Château de Nesles, where the festivities continue late into the night.
On Sunday, a beautiful rally winds through vineyards, forests and picturesque villages, with a pause at a forgotten French café and a closing lunch in a château.
Participants come from all over the world — from France to Japan — and notably, many women take the wheel themselves: Victoria in her Bugatti 35, Anna and Louisa in their Bentley 3 Litre, Capucine in another Bugatti and Héloïse in a Cooper T39.
The paddock is a living museum: Jaguar C-type, Maserati A6GCS, Alpine M63, Amilcar CO, Invicta… cars that aren’t displayed, but truly driven.
First-time participants leave with new friends, a wide smile, and one thought: how will I survive the year until the next edition?
Text: Antoine Lefort (part of the organisation since 2020), Photos: Antoine and @alexautofocus - alexautofocus.fr
Published:
Tuesday October 14th, 2025
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I have looked on line but cannot find a home web site giving information about future events.
Thanks
Roger