The RAID Suisse-Paris is a challenging rally every year, but above all a great experience. Once again, the focus is on the joy of driving and the desire to discover something new. Because the rally is for sporty connoisseurs and for all those who are looking for the most beautiful landscapes, wonderfully laid-out roads, sporting spirit and the exchange with like-minded people. Connoisseurs and experts will meet from August 18 to 21, 2016 for the big rally with 26 years of tradition. Everything is in place to offer participants an exceptional and exciting long-distance drive in every respect.
Due to the tragic events and the resulting general uncertainty, the RAID organization has decided to move the destination of this year's RAID to Versailles. Versailles, the former royal residence of the French kings, promises to be a grand finale to the RAID.
A start like no other
The program of the 26th RAID remains unchanged, except for the destination: The first car will start on Thursday at 12:30 pm sharp in the car-loving, electrifying atmosphere of Messe Basel's circular courtyard. The start alone is an experience. Each car drives over the legendary RAID podium, completes a lap and is applauded by enthusiastic spectators. A great rally begins!
The route leads along the Rhine on the French side and offers the most beautiful views of the great river, on which barges accompany the RAID for a while. Then the Rhine is crossed and the first castle of this RAID is the baroque castle of Rastatt, a copy of Versailles in a smaller format. On Saturday, you will arrive in close proximity to the original. Then it's on to the destination of the first day of the rally, Karlsruhe.
Through the southern Palatinate to France
The transfer from the hotels to Karlsruhe Castle is scheduled for Friday. Start of the big RAID day in front of the magnificent castle backdrop. The romantic road through the Palatinate Forest, over the green border to France and soon a first stop at an elegant château, former residence of an industrialist family - here you can expect café croissants, elegantly served on the terrace.
Continue to the Moselle, on the banks of which there is an impressive monastery complex. Here you can enjoy the famous Friday buffet, carefully prepared by a Maître Traiteur de France. The journey then continues through varied countryside, past small lakes and through ancient towns. Old country and suddenly and very impressively, a dead straight road through the flat Champagne region, the route of which was already laid out in Roman times. In the distance, the spire of a Gothic church comes ever closer. And you are already on the Route du Champagne, riding along the Meuse and reaching a charming château owned by a family that owns one of the finest champagne brands. Delicious champagne awaits you here at the end of the stage.
The route continues through the magnificent Avenue du Champagne in Epernay, the most expensive avenue in the world because millions of champagne bottles are stored beneath it, to Reims.
Start against the backdrop of the former Grand Prix de France race track
Where racing engines once roared, you start the last day of the rally. On Saturday, the route takes you through fascinating landscapes from Reims to Versailles, 22 km west of Paris. Saturday ends with the gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony in Versailles. Here you can enjoy the traditional RAID closing aperitif and catch up with other RAID participants. The adventures of these rally days are recounted, proud to have achieved something that is truly out of the ordinary.
Two first-class hotels await the participants: the "Hotel Trianon Pavillon" and the "Hotel Pullman", both within walking distance of the royal palace.
We'll be back next year!
Sunday begins with breakfast together at the hotel, then there is the opportunity to visit the royal palace individually, which is characterized by the spirit of Louis XIV. The RAID Culture program "An afternoon in Versailles" will be carried out as planned. But then it's time to head home again. We say goodbye, have made new friends and promise to come back next year!
You can register on the RAID Suisse-Paris website. The entry fee is CHF 4'270.- for two people in a double room or CHF 4'870.- for two people in a single room. There is also a Young Raiders discount of CHF 300 for participants up to and including the age of 35. The registration deadline is June 30, 2016.
