Via Flaminia launches a new chapter with Pyrenees rally

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In recent weeks, we spoke with a wide range of rally organisers. Some presented inviting plans, others brought forward fresh ideas, and a select few managed to convincingly combine the two. We are not sharing everything here—please refer to our event calendar for the full overview—but one initiative clearly stood out to us over the past week: the new direction of Via Flaminia Rallies, with as its first statement The Peaks of the Pyrenees.

This event, too, appears to fully live up to the familiar motto ‘the rally with the smile’. No rush, no pressured stages, but a journey where driving pleasure and experience take centre stage. It is all about enjoying the car, the scenery, and the company.

The Peaks of the Pyrenees Pre-War begins with a lunch at a remarkable location: Europe’s largest collection of Rolls-Royce automobiles, just outside Bilbao. From there, the route heads almost immediately into the mountains, where participants will cross the border between Spain and France several times. Well-known Tour de France passes alternate with quieter, lesser-known roads that are just as rewarding to drive.

What makes the Pyrenees so special is their sheer diversity. One moment, you are driving high above the landscape, with sweeping views stretching as far as the eye can see. The next, you find yourself deep in a narrow gorge, where rock walls close in tightly and the road offers barely enough space for two cars side by side. Some sections demand precision and technique, while others invite a smooth, relaxed driving style—but everything is tailored to the character of pre-war cars.

There is no sense of haste anywhere. The days are designed to allow time for a coffee stop, to simply take in the view, or to quietly follow the rhythm of the road.

Outside the car, everything is equally well considered. Overnight stays take place in a selection of excellent hotels, including several five-star locations, chosen for both their setting and their comfort. Evenings are relaxed: fine dining, a glass of wine, and the opportunity to reflect on the day together.

After nine days, the group returns to Bilbao, where British participants may, if they wish, take the ferry home.

As we have come to expect from Via Flaminia, the rallies remain deliberately small-scale and understated. For those interested, there is a light competitive element, though it mainly serves as conversation material afterwards. The focus lies on the driving, the surroundings, and the people with whom you share the experience.

Details:

• Name: Peaks of the Pyrenees Pre-War
• Date: 7–16 September 2027 (9 nights)
• Eligibility: Cars built before 1945
• Cost: €8,400
• More information >>

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