Anneau du Rhin
Location
Biltzheim, Haut-Rhin, France
Current Local Time
Track Info
Anneau du Rhin - Biltzheim, France
Permanent circuit in the Alsace countryside - known for its long main straight, technical forest sections and wide range of driving events
When was the track built?
Anneau du Rhin opened in 1996 near Biltzheim, between Colmar and Mulhouse. Its original circuit measured approximately three kilometres and was designed for racing, testing, driver training and private track sessions.
The course was later expanded, fully resurfaced and widened. The longer competition configuration received approval in 2011 and became the venue's principal racing layout.
What's the circuit like?
- Long main straight: Measuring more than one kilometre, it allows powerful cars to reach high speed before a major braking zone.
- Two different characters: The opening section is relatively technical, while later parts of the lap are faster and more flowing.
- Forest surroundings: Trees sit close to much of the circuit, creating a more enclosed atmosphere than a large modern stadium track.
- Mostly gentle elevation: Small rises and dips affect braking and visibility without producing extreme mountain-style gradients.
What layouts are available?
- Competition Circuit: The full 3.621 km route used for major races and advanced track sessions.
- Three-kilometre Circuit: The original configuration, combining medium-speed technical corners with faster sections.
- Training Circuit: A separate 1.1 km course used for introductory driving and vehicle-control exercises.
- Road-safety areas: Special surfaces allow drivers to practise braking, avoiding hazards and controlling a sliding vehicle.
What races here?
- Touring cars: The FIA World Touring Car Cup visited in 2022, bringing international TCR machinery to Alsace.
- GT and endurance cars: Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and other sports cars compete in club and long-distance events.
- Motorcycles: Racing, endurance meetings and public riding sessions use configurations adapted for two wheels.
- Drifting: Drivers are judged on angle, line and control rather than the fastest lap time.
- Historic racing: Classic sports cars, touring cars and single-seaters appear during selected festivals and demonstrations.
Records and major events
- Official race benchmark: 1:28.334 - Mikel Azcona in a Hyundai Elantra N TCR, August 2022.
- WTCR qualifying benchmark: 1:27.428 - Mikel Azcona during the same international weekend.
- 500 Nocturnes: A 500 km night race featuring GT and sports cars, accompanied by evening entertainment.
- Drift Cup: One of France's longest-running organised drift competitions.
The circuit has several layouts, and qualifying laps use different tyres, fuel loads and traffic conditions from race laps.
Why go?
Anneau du Rhin offers an approachable alternative to a large international circuit. The compact paddock, forest setting and nearby viewing banks keep visitors close to the cars and motorcycles.
The venue also offers public driving experiences, coaching and selected track sessions, allowing visitors to participate rather than only watch.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Pit-building roof: Best for the starting area, pit lane and views along the main straight when access is permitted.
- Natural spectator banks: Useful for seeing several corners from an elevated position.
- End of the main straight: Good for heavy braking and drivers attempting to overtake after the fastest section.
- Technical forest section: Best for watching rapid direction changes and differences in driver accuracy.
- Paddock: A good place to see the vehicles and teams closely when included with the event ticket.
Anneau du Rhin is a private venue and is not normally open for casual public viewing outside organised events. It is between Colmar and Mulhouse, approximately 15 minutes from the German border and 25 minutes from Switzerland. Check the current event, entrance and spectator information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Anneau du Rhin (France)
Anneau du Rhin is near Biltzheim in Alsace, roughly halfway between Colmar and Mulhouse. Driving is by far the easiest way to visit, with access from the A35 motorway. Visitors without a car can take a TER train to Rouffach and arrange a taxi for the final rural journey.
Visitor access
Anneau du Rhin is different from a conventional race circuit where the paddock is open every day. It is private property and access inside the circuit is normally limited to drivers, guests and people attending organised events.
- Normal days: the public cannot freely enter the main circuit grounds.
- Spectator area: a free public viewing area has its own entrance around 100 metres to the left of the main gate.
- Public events: selected races and festivals provide wider spectator access and ticketing.
- Driving experiences: track days, coaching and supercar experiences should be booked before travelling.
Check the individual event page before travelling because the entrance you use can differ between spectators, track-day participants and paddock guests.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is straightforward because the circuit is close to the A35, the main north-south motorway through Alsace.
- From Colmar: follow the A35 south towards Mulhouse and leave in the Rouffach area.
- From Mulhouse or Basel: follow the A35 north towards Colmar and Rouffach.
- Final approach: continue towards Biltzheim and follow signs for Anneau du Rhin and the appropriate event entrance.
- Navigation: search for “Circuit de l'Anneau du Rhin”.
Save the destination as Anneau du Rhin, 68127 Biltzheim, France. The circuit also publishes GPS coordinates for visitors because the entrance is outside the centre of the village.
Getting there by train
Rouffach is the closest useful railway station and is served by TER Grand Est trains on the Colmar–Mulhouse corridor.
- Take a TER train to Rouffach.
- Continue by pre-booked taxi to Anneau du Rhin.
- Arrange your return journey before the event, particularly if racing finishes in the evening.
Local buses reach Biltzheim on limited services, but they do not provide a convenient connection directly to the circuit. A taxi from Rouffach is the safer plan for a first visit.
Flying in
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the most useful major airport and is roughly 45–50 km from the circuit by road.
- Rental car: the simplest option for travelling directly to Biltzheim.
- By train: travel into the Mulhouse rail network and continue by TER towards Rouffach.
- Strasbourg Airport: another option, particularly if you are combining the circuit with a longer Alsace trip.
Because the circuit is rural, hiring a car is considerably easier if you are also staying several nights in the region.
Parking
Anneau du Rhin has visitor and paddock parking areas, but exactly where you park depends on the activity taking place.
- Public events: follow the temporary spectator parking plan and marshals.
- Driving experiences: use the parking instructions supplied with your booking.
- Track days: participants may be directed into the paddock after registration.
- Large events: spectator and competitor traffic can use completely separate entrances.
Do not automatically follow a competitor vehicle into the paddock. The circuit is private and access is controlled.
Camping & accommodation
Anneau du Rhin does not operate a normal year-round public campsite or hotel, so staying in the surrounding towns is usually the simplest option.
- Overnight stays: do not assume you can sleep inside the circuit grounds or paddock.
- Event exceptions: individual organisers may create specific overnight arrangements, so follow their instructions.
- Rouffach: one of the closest practical towns for hotels and restaurants.
- Colmar: offers the largest choice of accommodation and is still convenient for the circuit.
The circuit itself recommends several hotels around Colmar, Horbourg-Wihr and Ensisheim rather than providing accommodation onsite.
Where to stay
Rouffach and Colmar are the most practical choices for most visitors.
- Rouffach: closest useful railway town and convenient for a short drive to the circuit.
- Colmar: best for hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and long-distance rail connections.
- Mulhouse: another useful city base, particularly when arriving from Switzerland or EuroAirport.
- Local villages: Biltzheim, Oberhergheim and the surrounding countryside have smaller guesthouses and holiday rentals.
Understanding the circuit
Anneau du Rhin is a large multi-layout motorsport complex rather than a circuit with one fixed configuration.
- Opened: 1996.
- Competition circuit: 3.7 km.
- Main straight: more than 1 km.
- 3.0 km circuit: the original major layout, modernised in 2006 and resurfaced and widened in 2011.
- 4.0 km layout: a leisure configuration adding a slower 300-metre loop.
- Homologation: the 3.7 km circuit has international FIA homologation.
The venue hosts car and motorcycle racing, track days, manufacturer testing, driving experiences and private events, so the layout in use can change from one visit to another.
Race-day tips
- Check whether your event is public: the circuit is private and not every track day admits general spectators.
- Use the correct entrance: spectator, paddock and participant access can be separated.
- Drive if possible: it makes the final rural journey much simpler.
- Prepare for exposed weather: bring sun protection as well as waterproof clothing.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children.
- Save the destination: Anneau du Rhin, 68127 Biltzheim, France.
For a first visit, stay in Rouffach or Colmar and drive to the circuit. Without a car, take a TER train to Rouffach and arrange a taxi for both the outward and return journeys.
Anneau du Rhin is private property and public access, parking, paddock entry and overnight arrangements vary between events. Always check the official event page or your driving-experience instructions before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Anneau du Rhin (Biltzheim, France)
Anneau du Rhin is a fast, technical racing circuit hidden among the forests and farmland of Alsace, between Colmar and Mulhouse. Cars and motorcycles share several track layouts, while medieval villages, vineyards, major motoring museums and the nearby Vosges Mountains make this an excellent circuit to combine with a longer trip through eastern France.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Parc du Petit Prince: This family theme park near Ungersheim is based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's famous story, with rides, aerial attractions and activities for younger visitors.
- Écomusée d'Alsace: Walk through a recreated traditional Alsatian village containing dozens of historic buildings, workshops, farm animals and demonstrations.
- Colmar Toy Museum: A good rainy-day option with toys, models and games from different generations in the centre of Colmar.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Cité de l'Automobile: Motorsport fans should make time for Mulhouse's enormous automobile museum, home to more than 400 vehicles and an exceptional collection of Bugattis.
- Unterlinden Museum: Head into Colmar for nearly 7,000 years of art and history, including the famous Isenheim Altarpiece.
- Neuf-Brisach: Explore the extraordinary star-shaped fortified town designed by Vauban and now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Eat & drink around the circuit
- Try tarte flambée: Also called flammekueche, this thin baked dough traditionally comes topped with cream, onions and bacon.
- Look for choucroute: Alsatian sauerkraut is commonly served with sausages and other meats for a filling post-race meal.
- Try Munster cheese: This strongly flavoured regional cheese comes from the nearby Vosges and appears in many traditional dishes.
- Alsace wines: The surrounding vineyards are particularly known for Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Crémant d'Alsace.
Get outdoors between race days
- Alsace Wine Route: Drive or cycle through vineyards and historic wine villages stretching along the eastern foothills of the Vosges.
- Grand Cru Steinert walk: Near Pfaffenheim, this 3.3 km vineyard trail has information panels about local wine and wide views across the Alsace plain.
- Grand Ballon: Head into the Vosges for mountain walks around the region's highest summit at 1,424 metres.
Weather can change quickly in the Vosges, even when conditions are warm and sunny on the Alsace plain. Take a waterproof layer and suitable walking shoes for mountain trips.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Colmar: Explore Little Venice, the covered market, colourful historic houses and the compact old town before stopping at one of the city's traditional restaurants.
- Eguisheim: Wander around concentric medieval streets lined with colourful half-timbered houses in one of the best-known villages on the Alsace Wine Route.
- Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg: Visit a dramatically restored medieval castle overlooking the Alsace plain, vineyards and surrounding mountains.
- Mulhouse: Combine the Cité de l'Automobile with the Cité du Train and the city's historic centre for a particularly strong transport-themed day out.
Good to know during race weekends
- There are several circuit layouts: The 3.0 km course, 3.7 km competition track and 4.0 km leisure configuration can all be used for different activities.
- Not every track day is a spectator event: Anneau du Rhin hosts private testing, driving experiences and club activities as well as public race meetings, so check access before travelling.
- 2026 is a special anniversary year: The circuit opened in 1996 and celebrates its 30th anniversary with a dedicated event on 12 September.
- A car is very useful: Villages, vineyards and mountain attractions are spread across rural Alsace rather than concentrated around the circuit.
- Bring hearing protection: Racing cars and motorcycles can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, circuit layouts, spectator access, driving experiences, attraction opening hours and mountain conditions can change - check current information before travelling.