CASTLES, CARS
& ART DE VIVRE:
Sotheby’s Realty
Riviera Lifestyle
The Sotheby's International Realty: France & Monaco “Castles, Cars & Art de Vivre” Rally stands as a carefully curated expression of Riviera living—where heritage, design, and lifestyle converge across some of the most coveted addresses in southern France. Conceived under the direction of Chairman and CEO Alexander Kraft, the rally is less an itinerary and more a moving portrait of the brand’s world.
Beginning in Monte-Carlo, the symbolic heart of Kraft’s operations, the event gathers an international circle of collectors, tastemakers, and industry figures. From there, it traces the Mediterranean coastline through Nice and Saint-Tropez, before drifting inland to the quieter, sun-soaked landscapes of Provence. Each setting is selected not only for its beauty, but for its ability to articulate the “art de vivre” that defines the Sotheby’s brand.
The rally often aligns with moments that extend beyond real estate alone—such as the opening of the Alexander Kraft Monte Carlo flagship boutique—where tailoring, hospitality, and Riviera glamour intersect. Across its duration, the experience unfolds through a sequence of private villa visits, coastal drives, and long, convivial lunches, reinforcing a lifestyle where property, culture, and leisure exist in seamless dialogue.
“Across its duration, the experience unfolds through a sequence of private villa visits, coastal drives, and long, convivial lunches.”
Properties are not simply presented; they are lived. From panoramic coastal villas to secluded estates in the Haut Var, each space reveals its character through light, setting, and atmosphere. Stops along the way—whether at the terrace of Le Sénéquier or within the understated elegance of Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo—add texture, grounding the spectacle in the rituals of Riviera life.
Within this environment, Adesso Partners are invited by Kraft to document the rally, capturing its defining moments as they naturally unfold. Their role is observational and editorial—translating the experience into a visual narrative that reflects both the properties themselves and the broader lifestyle Sotheby’s seeks to convey. Across multiple editions, this continuity of perspective allows the story to evolve while remaining true to its core identity.
The rally’s rhythm—morning departures, winding coastal roads, afternoons of sunlit hospitality, and evenings that stretch effortlessly into night—creates a sense of continuity that resists simple chronology. Instead, it forms a cohesive impression: a living showcase of how exceptional homes are not just seen, but experienced. As guests disperse back across the globe, what remains is not simply the memory of a journey, but a distilled vision of the Côte d’Azur at its most refined. Through considered documentation and careful curation, that vision endures—capturing a world where castles, cars, and art de vivre are not themes, but a way of life.
