With their unpredictable conditions, the narrow mountain roads of the Ardèche and the Maritime Alps demand enormous concentration and even greater intuition.

Walter Röhrl won the Monte Carlo Rally four times – in four different vehicles (Fiat, Opel, Lancia and Audi). He personally regards these as his most important victories.

The most thrilling stages – including for spectators – are Sisteron with its impressive chalk mountains, St. Auban with its spectacular gorge, the route from Loda to Lucéram and, naturally, the Col de Turini with its “Night of the Long Knives”, where the strong high beams cut through the night.

The “mother” of today’s rally sport traces its roots back to 1911 when it was held to attract tourists to the principality in the winter season. The rally has been organised since 1925 by the Automobile Club de Monaco which is also responsible for the grandiose Monaco Grand Prix. Early rallies started in different and widely dispersed cities such as Berlin, Vienna or even Athens and Stockholm.

The rally was part of the World Championship from 1973 to 2008 and then again since 2012. Today, the event is a purely asphalt competition.