12/19/2024
Molsheim
The festive season at Château Saint Jean: a magical evening celebrating the Bugatti family
From the very beginning of its story in 1909, Bugatti has been defined by incomparable experiences. In owning and caring for a Bugatti vehicle, passionate enthusiasts of the marque enter a family – itself defined by the joy of shared experiences, inspiring memories, and unique opportunities to see history in the making. And so, Bugatti’s tradition of extending the warmest of welcomes continued at this time of festivity, in an exclusive gathering within the grounds of Château Saint Jean.
As the brand comes to the end of its 115th anniversary, Bugatti reunited a handful of its esteemed customers and dealers from all over the world for a unique evening of festivities – as 80 guests gathered at the marque’s home in Molsheim for an intimate Christmas dinner, cherishing time together and reflecting on an incredible year of unparalleled shared experiences.
For the Bugatti family, yet more incredible moments and incomparable
opportunities to witness history were immortalized. The closing chapter for the
legendary Chiron with the last W16-powered model, the majestic W16 Mistral,
breaking the world record for the fastest open-top car ever at 453.91 km/h. The
presence of the W16 Mistral World Record Car, the Tourbillon, and a host of
haute couture-inspired fabrics adorning its cockpit on display. The icon of
Bugatti’s defining new era – the Tourbillon – which is winning hearts globally
and breaking records as the most successful car launch in history. And for a
host of Bugatti’s most passionate customers, the spectacular Bugatti Grand Tour
in Morocco, followed by the unparalleled Bugatti Grand Prix in Las Vegas. All
affording the opportunity to experience the incomparable, together.
The crucible of those peerless achievements and once-in-a-lifetime memories,
Bugatti’s home in Molsheim, played host to a magnificent feast fit for the
conclusion of an amazing year. Amidst jovial seasonal jazz tunes flowing from
the doors of the Orangerie, roaring log fires, illuminated Christmas trees,
exquisite apéritifs of champagne and mulled wine, and delicious delicatessen
spreads served from pinewood chalets – bringing the Alsatian tradition of
enchanting Christmas markets to the home of Bugatti – the scene was set for a
festive night of new lifelong stories.
The warmest of welcomes naturally awaited the treasured Bugatti guests. In a
joyous gathering, Bugatti’s customers and dealers shared tales and cherished
memories with the people of Bugatti with whom they had forged close ties across
the year – from Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, to Christophe Piochon,
President, Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director, and the legendary racing
driver and Bugatti Pilote Officiel, Andy Wallace. Wallace emotionally recounted
his recent, incredible experience of setting the top-speed record with the W16
Mistral World Record Car, as the owner of this incredible record-breaker –
exhibited on the Château premises that night – looked visibly moved and deeply
thankful.
In the halls of Bugatti’s home, the exceptional privilege of an intimate
three-course dinner in the Château itself was hosted – a rare and extraordinary
occasion that paid homage to Ettore Bugatti’s vision. Ettore purchased the
Château with the dream of welcoming his dearest customers and VIPs, creating a
place where unforgettable experiences could be shared. While the Château remains
a cherished setting where customers are welcomed and introduced to Bugatti’s
illustrious history, hosting a dinner here is something truly exceptional – an
occasion only rarely created for Bugatti customers.
For this special evening, the Château became a haven of festive elegance, where
new memories were created and tales lovingly recounted together – echoing
Ettore’s timeless traditions. As a souvenir of this intimate Christmas dinner
and a reminder of the incredible year spent as a family, guests were invited to
inscribe a personal note on their own festive bauble, created to decorate
Bugatti’s stylishly presented festive tree for the evening and many more to come
– “Pour l’éternité” – a poignant symbol of the very unique community spirit
cherished by the marque.
Celebrating the values of festive gifting, the merry gathering could also
celebrate the joy of generosity – in a charitable auction, brilliantly
orchestrated by Head of Sales, Guy Caquelin, Bugatti organized to support the
Semeurs d’Étoiles, a local charity with whom the brand has forged close ties
with, and whose mission centers upon the care and wellbeing of hospitalized
children as well as fully assisting their parents. A car bonnet adorned with
hand-drawn sketches from Jascha Straub, Bugatti’s Lead Designer Sur Mesure, was
presented before all. With the final patron, The Singh Collection, Punjab, India
– proud owners of the W16 Mistral World Record Car – donating €50,000, they
offered the piece as a gift to Mate Rimac, a beautiful celebration of generosity
and giving thanks for the amazing year they had shared with the marque,
including setting the open-top speed world record with their very own W16
Mistral car. An authentic tribute to the shared values symbolized in owning a
Bugatti.And so Bugatti’s guests departed the enchanting gathering at Château Saint Jean,
with a framed family picture taken on the steps of the legendary Château and an
exquisite snow globe housing the iconic Dancing Elephant. But also, with
touching mental souvenirs – incomparable memories to treasure for a lifetime.
