From Modena to Bologna, road trip in the heart of the Motor Valley, where the most beautiful cars in Italy are born

“Where speed is born”.

It is guided by this somewhat brash slogan that the local authorities and economic actors of Emilia-Romagna have undertaken to enhance their Motor Valley, a wide plain running along the Via Emilia specializing in automobile construction and mechanics.

From Piacenza to Rimini – and especially between Modena and Bologna – the “Valley” collects places of interest for lovers of cars with an Italian accent: no less than 13 museums, 18 private collections, 7 factories and 4 circuits are open at the visit.

To discover

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But how to explain this richness?

The local industry, closely linked to agriculture and its machine tools, launched into the construction of racing cars from the 1930s, in the wake of Alfieri Maserati and Enzo Ferrari.

After the Second World War, the region became the prosperous heart of a luxury automobile industry with a very sporty style.

This vocation has endured and the Motor Valley today displays a resounding success, attracting the best engineers, designers, mechanics and drivers in the world.

A festival, the Motor Valley Fest, has even been launched to allow this microcosm to open up more to the outside world: the fifth edition will take place at the end of May 2023. In the meantime,

Day 1: the Ferrari legend

MORNING

The

back on the history of Ferrari by exhibiting some emblematic models such as the 250 GTO or the F40.

David Aiello

Credit where credit is due, the first day will be devoted to Ferrari, its museums and its factory.

Born in Modena in 1898, Enzo Ferrari was first a racing driver for Alfa Romeo.

Then became a trainer, he chained victories with various pilots.

In 1947, the

launched his own company, which sold its exceptional sports cars to private individuals.

The first is none other than the Ferrari 125S, marked with a prancing black horse on a yellow background.

A legend is born!

Launched at full speed, the team won its first Grand Prix in 1951. Since then, it has raced in all F1 races...

A visit to the

plunges the visitor into the heart of the Scuderia universe, especially on the sporting side.

Formula 1 and its exploits are in the spotlight here: the Salle des Victoires displays portraits of the greatest house drivers, from Ascari to Fangio and from Niki Lauda to Michael Schumacher.

Opposite, the cars that have won the world championship modestly reveal their innards.

The museum also looks back on the history of Ferrari by exhibiting some emblematic models such as the 250 GTO or the F40, supplemented by a handful of more recent prototypes and electric models, in particular the SF90.

Added to this is a fun Formula 1 driving simulator.

LUNCH

For lunch, we will sit at the

, located opposite the Ferrari factories.

The menu of this chic bistro in an attractive setting was created by Massimo Bottura, a three-starred chef from around Modena and a reference in Italian haute cuisine.

The cuisine strives to sublimate Emilian specialties while allowing itself some gourmet incursions into other regions of La Botte.

Irresistible !

Count 40-50 € for a full meal.

AFTERNOON

The

is aimed at enthusiasts of the brand but also at enthusiasts of mechanics.

David Aiello

Just opposite, the visit of the Ferrari factories is aimed at enthusiasts of the brand as well as enthusiasts of mechanics.

The first Ferrari came out of these factories in 1947;

since then they have all been made here.

The guided tours follow the various assembly lines, with the workers and operators in action: we attend the setting up of the chassis and the axles, the installation of the dashboards, the deposit of the doors... Only the windows are installed by robots!

Some 40 vehicles are produced here every day, and all of them already have an owner.

The visit ends with a quick visit to the design offices of the Formula 1 sector.

Those who would like to get into a Ferrari at the end of the visit can contact

, an operator located opposite the Maranello museum offering

at the wheel of road or competition cars, on the road or on the circuit.

The large hall of the

on an inclined plane presents spectacular temporary exhibitions, exhibiting a host of models of the brand, legendary or more rare.

Jean Tiffon / Le Figaro

It is then time to reach the center of Modena to discover the other museum dedicated to the Scuderia, the

It is first of all its architecture that calls out, with its dazzling color… yellow.

If Maranello concentrates on the sporting aspect and the performance, this museum tends rather to exalt the Ferrari myth and its

.

The large hall of 2500 m2 on an inclined plane presents spectacular temporary exhibitions, exhibiting a host of models of the brand, legendary or more rare.

He also returns to the character of Enzo Ferrari, in particular thanks to the rehabilitation of the old family garage, where Enzo's father repaired cars.

Next door, the

's office has also been recreated.

DINNER IN MODENA

Make a reservation at L'Erba del Re, an elegant establishment nestled in a

in the center of Modena, to sample the brilliant cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Luca Marchini.

Here, regional specialties are reinterpreted with a stunning sense of purity (à la carte around €70; tasting menu €125).

The chef also owns a less formal restaurant, the Trattoria Pomposa (allow €35 for an à la carte dinner).

Day 2: artistic and mechanical masterpieces of Modena

MORNING

The majestic

, listed by Unesco and guarded by the

, the palace of the archdiocese and the fabulous

Jean Tiffon / The figaro

It would be a shame not to take advantage of the beauties of Modena, a typical Emilia-Romagna city of art with its streets lined with arcades, its colorful palaces and its churches with delicately carved marble facades.

Start with the majestic

, listed by Unesco and guarded by the

, the palace of the archdiocese and the fabulous

, whose central portal opens onto an elegant porch supported by two sculpted lions.

Right next to it, the

, built in white marble, soars nearly 90 m high.

After climbing its steps, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and its monuments.

Painting enthusiasts will head to the

, nestled in the upper floors of the

Works by Veronese or the Carracci await them there, among other treasures.

GOURMET SHOPPING AND LUNCH

The

, Modena's covered market, is open every day.

David Aiello

Open every day, the

, Modena's covered market, is a gold mine for gourmets.

You can find all the local specialties there, at attractive prices: Parma ham,

and traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena PDO, not to mention the lambrusco, this slightly sparkling red wine that goes wonderfully with charcuterie.

It is also the ideal place to treat yourself to a lively lunch at one of the counters in the hall, which all serve excellent regional products.

AFTERNOON

The most interesting thing about

is to book a visit to the factory, where automation remains very limited.

David Aiello

Maserati

is only a few minutes walk from the center of Modena.

The emblematic brand with the trident, founded in Bologna in 1914 by Alfieri Maserati, was initially just a simple mechanical workshop.

The brand began producing its own cars in 1926, before settling in Modena at the end of the 1930s. The showroom offers a good overview of the latest innovations, while presenting a handful of vintage models such as Granturismo or Ghibli.

But the most interesting thing here is to book a visit to the factory, where automation remains very limited.

The 200 engineers and mechanics employed on the site produce 6 vehicles a day, mainly MC20s, a new model of

with 630 CV and which it takes only 2.88 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

By 2030, all Maseratis will be electric.

On leaving, head for the

and its Motor Museum, located on a farm near Modena.

We discover the collection of an enthusiast, Umberto Panini – yes, the collection of footballer stickers to collect!

–, which brings together a very large number of vintage Maseratis, most of them very rare.

Don't hesitate to chat with Matteo, the passionate son of the late owner.

In the courtyard, we remain speechless in front of one of the first models of Lamborghini, a… tractor.

One of

's first models , a… tractor.

Jean Tiffon / The figaro

Finally, Formula 1 enthusiasts can stop by

, a lambrusco producer established since 1794 in the

countryside .

The exhibition

, installed in its cellars, pays tribute to Gilles Villeneuve, driver who died dramatically in 1982 during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, at the age of 32.

It will be difficult to resist the urge to taste the lambrusco of the house before leaving the premises.

EVENING

Return to Modena to treat yourself to an authentic Emilian dinner at

a family-friendly establishment.

The menu gives pride of place to regional traditions, delivering divine

and delightful green tagliatelle with

Full meal around €30

For dessert, you can head to the

ice cream parlor , which is one of the best in the region.

flavors

(homemade ice cream enriched with Vignola cherries) or

(pine nuts and lemon from Sorrento).

Day 3: direction Bologna, from Lamborghini to Ducati

MORNING

enthusiasts

will be able to enter the factory located between Modena and Bologna?

Jean Tiffon / The figaro

's haute couture cars

can be discovered during a short stopover between Modena and Bologna.

The museum first unveils the youth of Horacio Pagani, born in 1955 in Argentina.

At 12, he created a first wooden version of the Zonda, which would become one of his flagship models.

After working for Lamborghini, he opened his own factory in 1991. A gallery then displays the brand's emblematic models, in particular the famous Huayra, one of the most expensive on the market.

Enthusiasts will be able to enter the factory to catch a glimpse of designers, engineers and mechanics at work.

About fifty models are built each year, all costing several million euros.

Along the road to Bologna, the

is also attached to the brand's factory with the bull, an emblem that would challenge Ferrari and its prancing horse.

The bright gallery of the museum, spread over two floors, presents all the most beautiful models of the brand, from the most vintage (like the famous Superleggera from 1964) to the most recent, true jewels of technology.

We can thus discover the muse of the house, the Countach, but also the 350 GT, the Huracán and many others.

The visit of the factory is also possible.

LUNCH

For lunch, head to the suburbs of Bologna and the

, which strives to make the most of the Emilian terroir by employing small producers from the surrounding area.

stuffed with ricotta and squash,

with porcini mushrooms, oven-roasted rabbit or

we enjoy it.

No doubt, tradition has a future here.

AFTERNOON

Make way for two wheels from the most emblematic manufacturer in the region,

.

David Aiello

To end this trip, place on the two wheels of the most emblematic manufacturer of the region,

.

Founded in 1926 by three brothers, Adriano, Bruno and Marcello, the brand based in Borgo Panigale, in the suburbs of Bologna, began by producing electrical capacitors, radios and even cameras.

The pretty museum set up on the first floor of the factory lines up the Ducati, arranged in chronological order.

The first, in the look of mopeds, date from the 1940s. Then there is the Apollo, intended for the American police but ultimately remained at the project stage;

follow the Scrambler, the Monster, the Superbike, the Multistrada and finally the Desmosedici, used by Johann Zarco in Moto GP, with which he reached… 363 km/h.

The guided tour of the factory (in English) is perhaps one of the most impressive in the Valley.

Here,

almost everything is still assembled by hand by a team of nearly 700 people.

And no less than 150 motorcycles come out of the workshops every day.

DINNER AND EVENING

Head to the center of Bologna to enjoy one last evening.

We book a table at

to taste delicious regional cuisine skilfully revisited.

Offering a 6-course menu, the "

 " formula has it all.

Pleasant room in a contemporary style, where you can precede your meal with a good cocktail.

6-course menu €53;

card approx €40.

Read alsoWeekend in Bologna, learned and gourmet city in northern Italy

Address Book

MUSEUMS AND TOURS

Duomo of Modena, corso Duomo, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 21 60 78.

Torre Ghirlandina, piazza della Torre, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 20 32 660.

Museo del Duomo, via Lanfranco, 4, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 43 96 969.

Galleria Estense, largo Porta Sant'Agostino, 337, 41121 Modena.

On the 4th floor.

Such.

: +39 059 43 95 711.

Museo Ferrari Maranello, via Alfredo Dino Ferrari, 43, 41053 Maranello.

Such.

: +39 053 69 49 713.

Ferrari Factory Panoramic Tour, via Abetone Inferiore, 4, 41053 Maranello.

Museo Enzo Ferrari, via Paolo Ferrari, 85, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 43 97 979.

Maserati, via Divisione Acqui, 19, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 59 05 11.

Umberto Panini Motor Museum, str.

Corletto Sud, 320, 41123 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 59 62 181.

Giacobazzi, via Provinciale Ovest 55, 41015 Nonantola.

Such.

: +39 059 54 54 62.

Museo Horacio Pagani, via dell'Industria, 26, 41018 San Cesario sul Panaro.

Such.

: +39 059 47 39 202.

Lamborghini Museo MuDeTec, via Modena, 12, 40019 Sant'Agata Bolognese.

Tel: +39 051 95 97 611.

Ducati Museum, via Antonio Cavalieri Ducati, 74/5, 40132 Bologna.

Such.

: +39 051 64 13 111.

ACTIVITIES

Pushstart, via Alfredo Dino Ferrari, 41, 41053 Maranello.

Such.

: +39 053 694 58 88. From €100.

Autodromo di Modena, loc.

Marzaglia, Str.

Pomposiana, 255/A, 41123 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 38 87 11.

OR SLEEP ?

The

is undoubtedly one of the best options for staying in Modena.

Located between the Enzo Ferrari museum and the city centre, it has beautiful, comfortable rooms in a classic style.

Very neat welcome and generous breakfast.

From €100 per night.

Best Western Premier Milano Palace, corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 68, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 22 30 11.

Hotel Touring

This discreet and well-located establishment offers neat rooms, some of which have pretty terraces with a view.

As for the rooftop, it is ideal for enjoying the

.

From €120 per night.

Hotel Touring, via de Mattuiani, 1/2, 40124 Bologna.

Such.

: +39 051 58 43 05.

GOOD DINING

Il Cavallino, via Abetone Inferiore, 1, 41053 Maranello.

Such.

: 053 694 48 77.

L'Erba del Re, via Castelmaraldo, 45, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 21 81 88.

Trattoria Pomposa, via Castel Maraldo 57 (corner via del Voltone), 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +33 059 21 48 81.

Osteria Stallo del Pomodoro, largo Hannover, 63, 41121 Modena MO, Italy.

Such.

: +39 059 21 46 64.

Trattoria di Via Serra, via Luigi Serra, 9b, 40129 Bologna.

Such.

: +39 051 63 12 330.

Oltre, via Augusto Majani, 1/b, 40121 Bologna.

Such.

: +39 051 006 60 49.

WHERE TO ENJOY A GOOD ICE CREAM?

Bloom, piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 42, 41121 Modena.

Such.

: +39 059 714 86 14.

USEFUL LINKS

• emiliaromagnawelcome.com

• motorvalley.it

• visitmodena.it

• bolognawelcome.com

• italia.it