Porsche 356 International - Deauville im Mai 2004
Von überall kamen sie - Palermo, Madrid, Rom, Copenhagen, London, Marseille, Paris und natürlich z.B. aus Bern, Lausanne, Basel, Zürich etc. 180 Porsche 356 versammelten sich in Deauville zum 29. Internationalen Porsche 356 Treffen.

Nachdem letztes Jahr in Brighton absolut grandios war, hatte Deauville natürlich einen schweren Stand, aber alles in allem war auch dies ein toller Event. Die Landschaft und das Umfeld waren sehr eindrücklich, die Routen und Ziele wunderschön, das Hotel war zweckmässig und das Wetter spielte mit. Ein "Merci vilmol" an den Präsidenten des Porsche 356 Club France, Pierre Gosselin, und sein Team!

Im folgenden findet Ihr eine Beschreibung der Erlebnisse und Eindrücke von Lars Reichelt:

Getting there
After the designated co-driver for Lars had to cancel in the very last minute, he was about to not go at all to this years international Porsche 356 Meeting in Deauville. But the Reichelt family would not be the Reichelt family if we were "no-gos" - so we went all four. Madeleine, Carlotta and Carolina in the chase car and Lars ahead in the "blue wonder" (the little ladies "co-piloting" in turns...).
We drove via Basle, Belfort, Vesoul, Langres, Troyes, Fontainebleau, Etampes, Dreux, Lisieux to Deauville. Aah, what a pleasure to drive through France on country roads. It is simply divine and I don't know any other country in Europe where it is so pleasant and stressless to go off the beaten track, ie. highways. These roads are made for 356s! And many villages on the way are simply delightful. A long day, but a very satisfying day and a fantastic crew!!!

Day 1
The next day we woke up to the hoarse sound of a bunch of 356 revving up and when we went to the parking lot it was a sight to behold. A good 180 356 and their crews getting ready for the day. The first leg of the day led us through winding country roads, past horse farms and apple yards, through villages where time seemed to have stood still to the most impressive Le Haras du Pin. It was founded at the end of the 18th century as part of the royal household to breed the best war and utility horses. A tradition that has been maintained and still today it is a center of equine excellence.
A garden lunch was held Chateau de Carrouges and on our way back we stopped in a little village Beuvron-sur-Auge where most of us sampled some Normanic cidre. Wonderful driving (Madeleine doing an amazing job following in the Jeep), and sights, smells, and sounds mixing into a fablulous set if impressions.

Movie "Getting there & Day 1"

Day 2
The second day started with a leisurely drive along the beaches and coastline of Deauville-Trouville. The weather had really cleared up - it was windy, a little nippy but sunny, and it was a pure delight to cruise around. The whole team was present, no chase car, but all of us in the "Blue Wonder". The girls loved it and everybody seeing this team had a smile on his face.
We had a brunch in the Casino of Trouville, a beautiful relict from the turn of last century. Great to see all the 356s assembled in front of the classicist facade and lots and lots of people oogling these curious machines from an era long gone.
In the afternoon the Concours d'Elegance took place on a beautiful golf course close to Deauville. Guess most German greenkeepers would have gotten a heart attack seeing 180 Porsches cars standing on the fairways (not quite the greens... ;-) ) - anyway it was a fantastic sight. In particular the assembly of Speedsters was impressive: 50 had found their way to Deauville. A fitting number for the 50th birthday.
The day concluded with a dinner at the Golfcourse and a night cup in one of the grand hotels in Deauville.

Movie "Day 2"

Going home
We left Deauville reasonably early and decided to go via autoroute to Paris, where we had an excellent breakfast and darted around for a good two hours. Driving a 356 in Paris is fun - in particular going round the Arc de Triomphe not once but three times...
After Paris we went back on the autoroute and made very good ground. A lot of French were very surprised to see an old blue Porsche and a green Jeep zip by them in high speed. It is always impressive to feel what a great long-distance car the 356 is.
In the afternoon we visited to beautiful old city of Beaune where Carlotta and carolina spend about an hour on the merry-go-round (didn't really help our timing, but they had fun!) and then we returned to Switzerland via Besancon and the ondulated landscape of the Alsace.
What a trip: 4 days, 2340 km, and one happy family!

A big "Merci" to Pierre Gosselin and his tireless team. A difficult event well organized and in a spectacular setting! Vive la France!

Movie "Going Home"