Imagine a car so extravagant it was built for kings, queens and emperors. Now imagine three of them turning up in the same place.
That was the spectacular scene in Molsheim, France, as Bugatti celebrated the 100th anniversary of the legendary Type 41 Royale during the 2026 Bugatti Festival. If there was ever a place where three Royales belonged, it was Molsheim, the spiritual home of Bugatti and the setting where Ettore Bugatti’s extraordinary automotive story began. The Royale is not just another classic car. It is one of the most ambitious and luxurious automobiles ever created, conceived by Ettore Bugatti as the ultimate expression of luxury, craftsmanship and engineering ambition. Its proportions alone were enough to make it stand apart. This was a car designed not simply to transport its occupants, but to make an entrance. The Royale was intended for royalty and the world’s most powerful and wealthy individuals, reflecting Bugatti’s belief that an automobile could be every bit as much a work of art as a machine.
Three royals, one home
For its centenary, Bugatti brought three of the six surviving Royales together at the very place where the legend began.
Among them were the Coupé Napoléon, whose final design was created by Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean, Ettore’s personal Coupé de Ville Binder and the Packard Royale. Seeing even one Royale is a special occasion. Seeing three together is an extraordinarily rare event. Having them return to Molsheim made the moment even more significant, transforming the historic Bugatti estate into something resembling a living automotive museum. Each car also tells its own story, showcasing the individuality and craftsmanship that made the Royale so special. The three cars were first presented to Bugatti customers around the Château before being shared with classic-car owners, fans and enthusiasts attending the festival.
A century of Bugatti in one weekend
The Royale wasn’t the only star of the festival. The event brought together Bugattis from across the marque’s history, creating an impressive timeline of automotive evolution. Twenty modern Bugatti hyper sports cars took part in the exclusive Petit Tour through the Alsace region, travelling along wine routes, mountain roads and forest landscapes while stopping at wineries and historic châteaux. It was essentially a rolling history lesson, just with considerably more horsepower. The tour included cars from the modern era, including the Tourbillon, Chiron and Veyron, while also celebrating the earlier generations that established Bugatti’s legendary reputation. Classic-car enthusiasts were treated to icons including a 1927 Type 35 Grand Prix car, a 1934 Type 57 Stelvio and a Type 57 C Cabriolet by Gangloff. The festivities culminated in Molsheim, where the town’s streets became a spectacular showcase of Bugatti heritage, with classic and modern machines sharing the spotlight.
Royal treatment
For Bugatti customers, the celebration continued with a glamorous 1920s-inspired dinner at the Château. With the three Royales positioned behind the Château, the setting recreated the atmosphere of an era when Ettore Bugatti himself welcomed customers to Molsheim. The festival also celebrated the people behind the cars. The 1934 Type 57 Stelvio received the prestigious ‘Prix Bugatti Automobiles’, while Bugatti President Christophe Piochon was presented with the Bretzel d’Or, one of Alsace’s most prestigious honours. Ultimately, this year’s festival belonged to the Royale. A hundred years after its arrival, the Type 41 still represents Bugatti’s obsession with going beyond ordinary, creating a car so imposing, elegant and exclusive that even a century later, it remains fit for royalty.
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