Across dunes and dreams, the Rallye found its final breath in Essaouira.
Fez – Essaouira, the vibrant Pearl of the Atlantic, came alive on Saturday as it warmly welcomed the arrival of the participants of the 34th edition of the internationally acclaimed Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles.
The beach of the Moroccan city transformed into a lively, colorful scene as 172 teams, representing 11 different nationalities, paraded in high spirits.
Having set off from Monaco on April 12, the crews, accompanied by their partners and the organizing teams, offered a vibrant spectacle that delighted the large crowds gathered to witness the event’s final chapter.
Adding to the grandeur, the prestigious “Marche Verte” aerobatic team from the Royal Moroccan Air Force dazzled spectators with an extraordinary aerial show.
Their precise maneuvers, breathtaking formations, and seamless acrobatics drew vivid murals across the sky, a true testament to their world-renowned expertise in agility, synchronization, and control.
The day’s festivities culminated in a grand awards ceremony, attended by prominent figures including André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty the King and President-Founder of the Essaouira-Mogador Association; Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank; the Governor of Essaouira, Adil El Maliki; and the President of the Essaouira Municipal Council, Tarik Ottmani.
Team 242, Carine Randin and Mélanie Grognuz of Switzerland, claimed the top prize in the “4×4/Trucks” category.
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In the “Crossover” division, Team 306, composed of Sabine Callot and Béatrice Château from France, secured first place.
The “Quad/SSV” trophy was awarded to Élisabeth Kraft and Célia Mascart, while the “E-Gazelle” title went to Barbara Bachmann Commerot and Valentine Simon Robinot, all representing France.
In his address, Azoulay paid tribute to Dominique Serra, the visionary founder of the Rallye, praising her unwavering commitment to modernity and progress over the past 35 years.
He stressed that in a world increasingly marked by division, Essaouira proudly stands as a beacon of openness, respect, and diversity.
For her part, Lagarde highlighted the Rally’s embodiment of resilience, solidarity, and personal achievement, drawing an insightful parallel to key economic principles such as leverage and the multiplier effect.
She hailed the Gazelles as women of conviction, courage, and vision.
Dominique Serra, in turn, reaffirmed the symbolic power of the Rallye as a rare space of freedom, sisterhood, and empowerment, offering women a platform to redefine themselves beyond stereotypes.
The ceremony concluded with documentaries showcasing the Rally’s environmental commitment, solidarity initiatives, and the profound empowerment it fosters.
This edition gathered 344 female drivers and co-drivers, aged 22 to 71, who braved the Moroccan desert in an extraordinary demonstration of endurance, strategy, and perseverance.
