Ten years on: Gstaad Palace Challenge celebrates its 10th anniversary
Classic cars, culinary delights, and alpine elegance: the anniversary edition of the Gstaad Palace Challenge delighted participants with a start in France and plenty of passion.

At the end of August, the region of Gstaad once again became a haven for classic car enthusiasts. This year, the Gstaad Palace Challenge celebrated its tenth anniversary with a special feature: for the first time, the rally started in Beaune, Burgundy, and was extended by an additional day.

Origins with a clear vision
The Gstaad Palace Challenge was established by Andrea Scherz, Director of the Gstaad Palace, alongside his local friend Franco Lupi. Their aim was to extend the summer season into late August and provide guests and friends of the Palace with a refined experience centred on classic cars. "We wanted to create a rally that perfectly suits us: elegant, sporty, indulgent – and with a true connection to the region,” explains Scherz.

Pleasure over competition
The rally isn't about fierce competition but about spending a weekend with like-minded people. Under the motto "The rallye for ambitious bon vivants," driving pleasure, scenery, and fine food matter more than winning. Limited to 30 teams, it brings together classic car legends from 1950 to 1990 – including Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin.

A special anniversary route
To mark the anniversary, the route took participants through France for the very first time. After starting in Beaune, the rally crossed the Jura, passing cultural and culinary highlights before reaching Gstaad.

On Saturday, the journey proceeded over the Jaun Pass, through the Gantrisch region, and into the Gürbetal valley, before an exciting driving test at the TCS test centre in Niederstocken brought them back to Saanenland.

Culinary highlights along the aay
The Gstaad Palace Challenge would not be complete without its culinary stops. From crème double with meringues to ham from Val-de-Travers and mature Emmental cheese, regional delicacies awaited participants along the way. Evenings were spent enjoying elegant dinners at the Gstaad Palace with fine wines, cocktails, and cigars.

A weekend of elegance
As always, the weekend ended with a stylish cocktail reception and prize-giving ceremony – the perfect finale to this milestone edition.

Looking back, the Gstaad Palace Challenge has spent the past ten years blending automotive history, alpine scenery, and Palace hospitality in its unique way. With its combination of driving pleasure, gourmet experiences, and friendly atmosphere, it has long been a fixture in the region’s calendar.

The next edition of the Gstaad Palace Challenge will take place from 28–30 August 2026.