grand tour french drivers

• The Inventory

I Regret To Inform You That The Grand Tour 's French Special Is Very Good

The trio asks the biggest question in automotive history: "what's the matter with the french".

For many folks, the Top Gear and The Grand Tour trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond are the last word in automotive content and humor. For me, it has been the trio that my husband has insisted upon making me watch (ugh) while also telling me I should be more like Jeremy Clarkson (no). However, I regret to inform everyone that The Grand Tour ’s new special about French cars, “Carnage à Trois,” is very good.

Related Content

French cars have historically been an enigma, and the special opens with Clarkson posing the question the crew would aim to answer in the episode: “What’s the matter with the French?” It is an admirable goal to undertake in a single special, and it was extremely good.

That’s because it combined many of my favorite things: France, making fun of the French, awful cars, and a delightful sense of humor that culminates in launching a Citroën C3 Pluriel over the Cliffs of Dover and back to its homeland.

My husband pointed out that a large part of this episode felt scripted, but I thought it was well done. There’s one moment where Richard Hammond gets behind the wheel of a propeller-powered car and the entire crew runs off behind a fence, that was particularly egregious, but it was still an exceptional moment of humor — especially since it’s compounded by Hammond with several later crashes. There’s another where Clarkson’s car is shown rolling down a hill overlaid with his grunts, as if he’s behind the wheel when it’s quite clear he’s not. But it’s a slapstick-style comedy that works quite well for these three.

A large part of this episode focuses on the fact that the trio posit French cars are designed to be destroyed. No one in France ever sells their cars; they drive them until they need to be scrapped, since everyone just bumps into each other. This is something Hammond illustrates by parallel parking a car in between two cars that he needs to shove out of the way with his bumpers and that May illustrates by sledge-hammering some space into his trunk to fit around a dishwasher.

The trio also illustrates the durability of these French cars by off-roading three family vehicles. Arguably the highlight of the episode comes as Hammond tries to overtake his compatriots on this rutted, one-lane path, crashing into both of them and ultimately tipping his own car onto the side. Somehow, the massive catapult only serves as the cherry on top of an already-excellent cake.

The special is available on Amazon Prime, and it’s worth enjoying with a holiday beverage of your choice — even if this trio is normally not your cup of tea.

Advertisement

The Grand Tour (2016–2024)

Full cast & crew.

Series Directed by 

Series writing credits  , series cast  , series produced by , series music by , series cinematography by , series editing by , series production design by , series art direction by , series makeup department , series production management , series second unit director or assistant director , series art department , series sound department , series special effects by , series visual effects by , series stunts , series camera and electrical department , series casting department , series editorial department , series location management , series music department , series script and continuity department , series transportation department , series additional crew , series thanks .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

Contribute to This Page

• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos
• User Reviews
• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews
• Episode List

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This Epic Driving Experience in the South of France Is the Best Way to Feel Like a Formula 1 Racer

The trip ends with front-row seats at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Emilie Malcorps

Full disclosure: I am not exactly a car person. But as a teen growing up in the suburban U.S., I learned quickly that cars equal freedom. The stomach-flipping thrill and heart-fluttering romance of the open road — or even the not-so-open, traffic-choked Long Island Expressway — has never quite left me.

So when I arrived in the drowsy Provençal village of Tourrettes last May and locked eyes with a fleet of supercars, as brightly colored and alluringly dangerous as exotic fish, I could feel my heart beat in my throat — one part elation and one part nerves.

There were seven cars in total. The head-turning, V12-powered 812 GTS (one of two Ferraris) was the first to catch my eye with its definitively Italian, almost insultingly cool air; the overengineered matte-black McLaren 720S gave me goose bumps and Batman vibes, and the French-blue Aston Martin DB11 drop-top gleamed with Bond-style sophistication.

The plan was to take each for a spin over the next two days as part of the new Le Grand Tour Provence, a hedonistic supercar “tasting menu” of sorts culminating in the crown jewel of the growing Formula 1 racing empire, the Monaco Grand Prix .

The itinerary was created by Australia-based Ultimate Driving Tours — 15-year veterans of luxury driving experiences. Before buckling in, founder and CEO Anthony Moss collected our group of 14 die-hard motorheads (and their good-natured, I’m-just-happy-to-be-in-France plus-ones) for a briefing. French driving customs were explained (“the gendarmerie is more likely to pose with the cars than ticket them,” he joked), and a healthy dose of fear instilled to ward off any recklessness (“blow a tire and all four will need replacing, which costs around $8,000”). Then there was the final benediction, delivered with an implied wink: “Some of the best movie car chases take place in this part of the world.”

Early the next morning, the group was literally revving to go. At first, I was tense and shivery behind the wheel. Sure, Moss’s line about Hollywood was cute, but it also conjured up thoughts of Grace Kelly and her fatal Rover crash, which took place a two hours’ drive away, just outside Monaco. But the thing about driving a car worth almost a quarter-million is that it requires your full attention, pushing you to stay present. Soon, I was channeling nothing but main-character energy in a thunderous Lamborghini Huracán EVO convertible, zipping just a smidge too fast around cambered corners, up coiling hillside passes, and along balcony roads above the Gorges du Verdon and the Tiffany-blue Lac de Ste.-Croix.

Starting our drive outside of a city meant there was no preamble: I was flung into the car chase mid-scene, already in hot pursuit. The terrain was playing the part. Shaded cedar forests flickered the light and threw off a cool, loamy scent. Morning sunrays tumbled down the ravines. On straight lengths of Roman-era road, the pavement wore the lacelike shadows of pollarded plane trees. Field after field frothed with wildflowers — poppies, pink valerian, thistle — all swaying in the wake of the speeding supercars like fans at a rock concert. Occasionally, in the far-off distance, thunder threatened, crackling like vintage vinyl.

I was paired with another solo traveler, and we took turns behind the wheel. When I wasn’t in the driver’s seat, I stared, mesmerized by the way the high speeds rendered landscapes to smudges. Sun-dazed pastoral scenes turned into quivery brushstrokes of gold and olive that could have been painted by Cézanne, a native of Aix-en-Provence, which we would soon be driving through.

Over the course of the day, our convoy of supercars — all connected via CB radio — dipped in and out of the famed Route Napoléon, the path marched by the power-depleted leader (and his small but loyal army) after skipping out on exile in Elba. Slowing to a slink, we made our way through the village of Castellane, which dates back to Roman times and is garlanded with the waters of the Verdon River. Napoleon was said to have been welcomed with calls of “long live the emperor,” but as  we  drove through, the residents just stared.

Over the CB radio, our lead driver (and Australian motorsports star) Dean Herridge reminded us to “keep it nice and casual,” which made me laugh out loud — there was precisely nothing casual about our seven high-performance sports cars, swaggering past gurgling fountains and stone houses with peeling pistachio-green shutters. The cars weren’t built for towns like Castellane, and my Lambo (yes, I now considered it mine) rode so close to the ground that I had to heave it over speed bumps like a wobbly  grand-mère  with a walker. But I didn’t mind taking it easy, inching along so I could peer into curtained café windows, grin at unimpressed old men, and dream up another life for myself.

Every hour or so, we’d stop in one of the region’s single-road, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it villages to swap cars and refuel with espressos strong enough to warrant their own octane ratings. During these pit stops, chattering schoolchildren grouped around the cars, while I picked fluffy, snow-white seeds from my hair and painted my face in sunscreen.

By the second day of driving, it was tops down and stereos up. I decided I liked Provence best when it didn’t behave quite so nicely, refusing to play into the silver-screen fantasy: canopied cafés in Mézel, straight out of a van Gogh, blasting Nicki Minaj; the spilled-blood red of a Ferrari 488 Spider whooshing through the fields of Valensole, striped with rows of newly trimmed lavender. It was as if Peter Mayle had penned the script for the next installment of the  Fast & Furious  franchise. Sort of wrong and  un peu vulgaire — but terrifically fun.

The two-day driving loop through Provence was only the first part of the tour, and my group and I went on to spend the weekend in Monaco, at the deliciously ostentatious Grand Prix. It was a dramatic vibe shift. Our new base was a 173-foot Dutch superyacht, moored next to the Formula 1 paddock on Quai Antoine I, which Ultimate Driving Tours had secured along with seats on Grandstand O for front-row views of the action on the track. I’ll remember this fantasy weekend in hallucinatory snatches: Race cars cornering the hairpin of La Rascasse. Spilled espresso martini, licked off my knuckles. An onslaught of spring rain, which delayed the start of the race, and the chorus of blaring yacht horns that signaled its end. The ornate wedding cake that was Monte Carlo coming alight in the blue wash of May twilight. The feeling of being, just for a moment, at the very center of the most important unimportant thing.

I felt accomplished and fabulously exhausted by the end. After the long days of driving, my palms ached from clinging to the carbon-fiber steering wheels. I’d been called a “beast on the road” — which is a good thing, I doubled-checked — the kind of compliment I plan on dining out on for years to come. When I returned home to London, I started openly ogling the cars parked on the streets of Knightsbridge and Mayfair. And now, when I can’t sleep, I find myself on my phone in the dark, browsing upcoming drives. I still don’t consider myself a car person, but I will always dream of getting back on the road.

A version of this story first appeared in the March 2023 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "Hot Wheels ."

Driving Holidays To Europe’s Greatest Roads & Races

Fantastic 4 and 5-night driving holidays through Europe’s most iconic routes and glamorous locations. Drive the Stelvio Pass, Mont Ventoux, and Dolomites. Stay at beautiful hotels in Monaco, Lake Como, or St Moritz. And see the best F1 action from Grandstand seats.

Austrian Grand Prix Driving Holiday

Italian grand prix grand tour, driving holidays , grand prix tours & luxury rallies.

Grand Prix Grand Tours offer wonderful luxury car rallies and driving holidays in Europe. Designed by drivers, for drivers, our routes explore the most exhilarating roads that Europe has to offer. As a result, there is no better tour available for the enthusiastic driver. Whether it’s the stunning Route Napoleon, the fast Fluela Pass, or the technical Stelvio, our drives are designed with you in mind. 

Each night of the european driving tour will include a 4* or *5 hotel, in a location chosen to give you a great choice of bars and restaurants. On each tour you can do as much or as little driving as you wish. Whether you want the fun of the convoy, or to simply head to the next hotel and relax in luxury. This means you get to enjoy your holiday as you wish.

Our tours visit numerous European rounds of the Formula One World Championship, as well as Historic Formula One from Monaco. Grand Prix such as Monaco, France, Austria, and Italy. With each driving holiday designed around the focus destination of a Grand Prix, you therefore have the chance to see the worlds best drivers in action.

On the final night of each driving holiday, a group dinner is arranged at no cost to you. This is a great opportunity to get to know the other drivers on your driving holiday, as well as spend time relaxing with like-minded people. There is also a prize-giving, meaning there’s something for everyone to look forward to!

Quick Links

About Us F1 Calendar F1 Circuit Guide F1 Team & Driver Guide MotoGP Calendar FAQs Partners Blog Gallery Privacy Policy Cookie Policy T&Cs Travel Agents & B2B Sitemap

Australia Canada New Zealand USA

100% Financial Protection

Google Reviews

Call: 020 3966 5680 Email: [email protected]

Latest news

F1 News: Drivers Angered By Rule Change Ahead Of French GP

The FIA introduced a change to the pitlane limiter zone ahead of the French Grand Prix this weekend, and it’s safe to say the drivers are not happy about it.

Previously, the speed limit zone, which is capped at 60km/h, ended just after the last team garage. The pitlane then carries on a bit longer snd goes past another unused garage.

Race director, Eduardo Freitas and his deputy Niels Wittich , carried out the track inspection on Thursday and decided that this was a potential hazard for drivers to collide with when accelerating. Due to this, they have decided to extend the pitlane speed limit until the pit exit.

This change brings much longer pit stop times to the drivers, by as much as 3.4-4 seconds. This doesn’t sound like a lot, but during an F1 race, this could be huge. We could see more teams attempting to do a one-stop race on Sunday to combat this.

Without the extra time for acceleration, this will also put drivers in a worse position for turn one, making defending a place extremely difficult.

Some of the drivers have argued these points in the briefing, but were shut down as the changes were put in place for their safety and the safety of others.

Michael Schumacher's Family Break Down In Tears As They Accept State Prize On His Behalf

F1 rumours: lewis hamilton pegged for 5 to 10 year contract with mercedes, related articles, jeremy clarkson, richard hammond and james may answer ‘who’s most likely’.

Corvette Gets Smoked Out After Flipping Off Truck Driver

2021 Geneva Motor Show Preemptively Cancelled

Toto Wolff’s Constructive Feedback for George Russell: Addressing the Challenges of F1’s 2023 Season

• FanNation FanNation FanNation
• Swimsuit SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit
• Sportsbook SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook
• Tickets SI Tickets SI Tickets
• Shop SI Shop SI Shop
• What's on TV

© Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal Is Not Fully Committing to Playing in 2024 French Open

• Author: Madison Williams

Rafael Nadal is likely in his last season of his professional tennis career , and now his chances of playing at the French Open next month are decreasing.

Ahead of his round one match at the Madrid Open set for Thursday vs. Darwin Blanch , Nadal admitted he doesn't feel 100% still. He's been recovering from various hip and abdominal injuries since the beginning of 2023. This will be just his third tournament this year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion wants to feel 100%, or close to it, when the French Open rolls around on Monday, May 20, so he may end up backing out depending how he feels.

“If I arrive Paris the way I feel today, I will not play," Nadal said in his press conference. "I will play Roland Garros if I feel competitive. If I can play, I play. If I can’t play, I can’t. It won’t be the end of the world or the end of my career. I still got goals after Roland Garros, like the Olympics."

While Nadal hasn't confirmed a retirement plan, he hinted that this year is his last once again during his Wednesday press conference.

"I don’t think I will be able to play at 100%, but it means a lot to me to play in Madrid for one last time in my career," Nadal said. "It’s a special place and court for me.”

Nadal has a record 14 titles from Roland Garros, and he is often referred to as the "King of Clay." It would be devastating to fans if he missed the Grand Slam tournament in what will likely be his last time playing there.

Latest News

Mailbag: Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek Dazzle in the Desert

USTA CEO Lew Sherr Details Plans for Tennis’s Premier Tour

Report: Sabalenka Plans to Play in Miami Open Despite Boyfriend’s Death

Novak Djokovic Announces Withdrawal from Miami Open

Indian Wells Tennis Quarterfinal Suspended Due to Bee Invasion