The 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique is set to offer an exciting and varied route, staying true to its tradition of featuring challenging regularity special stages (SR). Organized by the Automobile Club de Monaco, this year’s edition aims to be even more captivating, with most stages drawing from the iconic routes that have shaped the event’s history. The competition will be fierce as participants strive to dethrone 2024 champions Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo, who claimed victory in their 1979 Opel Ascona 400.
As is customary, the rally is open to cars that have previously participated in the Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, with eligible models dating from 1911 to 1983. The event will begin on Thursday, January 30, just four days after the conclusion of the 93rd Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo. Competitors in the 27th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique will depart from four different cities—Bad Hombourg, Reims, Monte-Carlo, and Turin—all heading towards the common destination of Place du Champ de Mars in Valence, the traditional stage town in the Drôme department. The first competitors are expected to arrive in Valence on the afternoon of Friday, January 31.
The first day of racing, Saturday, February 1, will be a test of endurance with a Classification Stage consisting of four special stages. Competitors will face the Vercors massif, starting with the “Col Gaudissart – La Cîme du Mas” stage, followed by the challenging “Les Nonnières – Chichilianne” stage, featuring the Col de Menée (1402m). The rally will continue through stages such as “La Piarre – Valdrôme,” crossing the Col de Carabès, and “La Motte-Chalancon – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert” before concluding the day in Valence.
On Sunday, February 2, the rally will shift to Ardèche for the first part of the Common Stage. Competitors will navigate the new “Saint-Julien-du-Gua – Col des Quatre Vios” stage and the classic “Burzet – Saint-Martial,” passing the Ray-Pic waterfall. After a break in Saint-Agrève, the day will continue with stages like “Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid – Vanosc” and “Saint-Pierre-sur-Doux – Lalouvesc,” before returning to Valence.
Monday, February 3, will take competitors through the Vercors, Diois, and Baronnies massifs for the second part of the Common Stage, beginning with the climb of the Col de Tourniol. The day will be marked by difficult stages, including “Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – Chalancon” and the longest special of the rally, “Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze – Roussieux.” The final challenge will be “Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec,” ending the day with a return to Valence.
The final leg of the rally begins on Tuesday, February 4, with a departure from Valence at 7:00. Competitors will face stages like “La Charce – Rosans,” “Sisteron – Thoard,” and “Briançonnet – Entrevaux,” leading them toward the Principality of Monaco. The event will conclude with the Final Stage on the night of February 4-5, featuring legendary stages like “Col de Braus – Lantosque” and “La Bollène-Vésubie – Moulinet,” with the final ascent of the Col de Turini.
The rally will finish at Port Hercule in Monaco early on the morning of February 5. The prestigious Gala and Awards Evening will follow later that day at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club’s Salle des Etoiles, where tuxedos and evening gowns will be required. This event promises to be a fitting celebration of the competitors’ efforts and achievements in this storied rally.
