Return in Monaco

After several deserved days off in Paris, the adventurers decided to have a last ride to Monaco to complete their journey. They have insisted to bring back the vehicle in the principality where it was officially presented in November last year.

The two travellers were welcomed by the Venturi team who wanted to congratulate them for having done such a trip.

Arrival in Paris - Place Vendome

This 14,000km journey with a Berlingo "Powered by Venturi ended yesterday on July, the 13th. After going through eight countries (China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, France), the adventurers arrived yesterday on the Place Vendome.

They have been warmly welcomed by relatives and journalists.
A cocktail party was held at the Ritz in the course of which the two adventurers shared their experience.

The success of this second mission of the Venturi Global Challenges proves the reliability and the endurance of the vehicles developped by Venturi.

French border

Geraldine and Xavier have crossed today the French border and there are only few miles left from their arrival point : Paris. This experience demonstrates the reliability of electric vehicles developed by Venturi.

For their arrival scheduled on tomorrow, the crew will be welcomed on the prestigious Place Vendome and the vehicle will be exposed in front of the Le Ritz.

German border

After having traveled 320 km from Prague, the arrived in Nuremberg. They crossed the German border, last country (before France) of this journey which began on May, the 3rd in Shanghai.

Fifty-first stage : Prague

In Prague, the adventurers were expected by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Czech Republic, who heard about the journey. An event was held at the Lavka square in the course of which they met with Prague inhabitants, tourists but also journalists eager to hear their testimonies.

Czech border

After having spent only two days in Poland, Xavier and Geraldine entered Czech Republic. For their fiftieth step, they chose the city of Olomouc, before going to Prague.

On the way to Olomouc, the vehicle is once again at the heart of attention.

Forty-ninth stage : Wieliczka

From their last Ukrainian stop the adventurers drove 280 km through Poland and arrived in Wieliczka. In the city, they could visit salt mines, classified as World Heritage by the UNESCO.
In the middle of the mines, a 135 meters underground salt cathedral.

Polish border

Today Geraldine and Xavier have crossed the Polish border and entered in Europe. Their journey through Poland will be short, the adventurers have only 370 km (230 miles) to join Czech Republic.

Forty-eighth stage : Berehove

After more than 280 km (174 miles), the crew arrived in Berehove, last Ukrainian stage located only 40 km (25 miles) from the Polish border. The adventurers left Shanghai three months ago and are now only 1 800 km (1 118 miles) from Paris.

Forty-seventh stage : Rivne

After two days off in Kiev, the crew has been through more than 350 km (217 miles) in driving rain to join Rivne.

From now on, there are only 2 000 km (1 242 miles) left to Paris.

Forty-fifth stage : Kiev

For their second stage in Ukraine, Geraldine and Xavier stopped in Kiev, capital and biggest city of the country. To get to this city from Sumy, the crew drove more than 380 km (236 miles).

On the way to Kiev, post-soviet atmosphere with tanks and monuments built for war heroes.

Ukrainian border

Crossing the Ukrainian border, the crew achieves its Asian journey to begin the European one.
The 28th of July is a national day for Ukrainian people, which celebrate the 1996 new Constitution. Thus, Xavier and Géraldine could enjoyed the festive atmosphere in the streets of Sumy.

Forty-fourth stage : Kursk

Since leaving Shanghai, Geraldine and Xavier stopped in 45 citys. They chose Kursk for their last Russian stopover. This stage makes them beeing closer from Ukraine, fourth country of this trip.

Forty-third stage : Voronezh

For one of the last Russian stopover, the adventurers went through 230 km (143 miles) from Borisoglebsk to Voronezh, administrative capital of the area.

During the last four stages, Geraldine and Xavier had to bear extreme heats up to 40°C (104°F) in the shade. Despite these high temperatures, they do not stop visiting places of interest in each stopover.

Distance record

With 10 000 km (6213 miles) on the counter, the crew already achieved two third of the trip. Thus, Venturi establishes a new record, the longest distance traveled with a production electric vehicle.

Venturi demonstrates the reliability and the endurance of its vehicles.

Forty-second stage : Borisoglebsk

For this last stage, the crew drove more than 300 km (186 miles) between Saratov and Borisoglebsk. Landscapes had changed, huge wheatfield remplaced now pine forests.

Forty-first stage : Saratov

In Saratov, the crew reloaded the vehicle in a truck stop. When they have to drive through long distances, villages could become scares. Thus, this kind of accomodations ensures the adventurers a place to spend the night.

In the city, they could visited a traditional Russian church and walk-around on Volga's sides.

Fortieth stage : Samara

Going through 270 km (168 miles) from Oktyabr'skiy to Samara, the two adventurers crossed the Oural, a 2 000 km (1242 miles) Russian moutain chain. By achieving this step, they reached the 9 000th km (5592 miles) traveled and get closer to the first country of the European Union.

Thirty-ninth stage : Oktyabr'skiy

For the first time since the beginning of this trip, the crew suffered a tyre punctured. In China, a nail lodged in it, without creating any damage. But after more than 8 000 km (4970 miles) the tyre bursted.

Xavier and Geraldine enjoyed Oktyabar'skiy surroundings, thanks to Ruslan and Ilnar warm welcome who invite them for a diner on the side of a lake.

Thirty-eight stage : Ufa

From Zlatoust to Ufa, fourth Russian stage, the crew have been through 250 km (155 miles). Vast pines forests and elks replace now Kazakh steppes and calmels.

Thirty-seventh stage : Zlatoust

After more than one mounth and a half spent on roads, the two adventurers keep going their route through Russia. For this thirty-seventh stage, they stopped in Zlatoust, city located in the Tcheliabinsk province.

In Zlatoust, Elan offered Geraldine and Xavier his help to reload the vehicle, by opening them the doors of his building site.

Thirty-sixth stage : Chelyabinsk

To get to Chelyabinsk, Xavier and Geraldine drove more than 280 km (174 miles). Along the road, the roadsign reading and the orientation are complicated as the two drivers are not used to cyrillic alphabet. Visiting a park in the city, the crew enjoyed a military tank exhibition.

Russian border

After having been through China and Kazakhstan, Geraldine and Xavier enter Russia, third country of the trip. Up to now, they already traveled half of the distance, so that is 7 000 km (4350 miles).

Last Kazakh stage : Petropavlovsk

Since they crossed the Kazakh border, Geraldine and Xavier went through 2000 km (1242 miles). Before entering Russia, they stopped in Petropavlovsk, their last Kazakh stage after having driven 270 km (168 miles).

Thirty-third stage : Shuchinsk

Between two stages, the adventurers enjoyed a released time on Burabaï lakesides. Then, they stopped in Shuchinsk for the night to reload the vehicle.