Circuit de Charade
Location
Saint-Genès-Champanelle, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Current Local Time
Track Info
Circuit de Charade - Clermont-Ferrand, France
Historic mountain circuit in the volcanic hills of Auvergne - famous for steep gradients, blind corners and four Formula One French Grands Prix
When was the track built?
The idea for a circuit near Clermont-Ferrand was revived after the Second World War by Jean Auchatraire of the Automobile Club d'Auvergne and racing driver Louis Rosier, winner of the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Construction began in May 1957. The course opened on 27 July 1958 with the Trois Heures Internationales d'Auvergne, won by Innes Ireland, followed by a Formula 2 race won by Maurice Trintignant.
What was the original circuit like?
The original 8.055 km course used public roads winding around extinct volcanic hills. It contained dozens of bends, major elevation changes and almost no long straight where a driver could relax.
Its relentless movement earned comparisons with the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It was admired for its beauty and difficulty, but the steep slopes left little space for modern runoff areas.
How has the circuit changed?
The final race on the full road course took place in 1988. A shorter 3.975 km circuit opened in 1989, retaining part of the historic route while using a new connecting section to complete the lap.
The remaining public-road sections of the old course were removed from normal competition. In 2000, the modern track became a fully permanent facility with changes to its pit lane, garages and safety installations.
What's the current circuit like?
- Steep gradients: Cars repeatedly climb and descend, changing how much grip is available during braking and acceleration.
- Blind approaches: Crests, trees and hillsides hide several corner exits, requiring drivers to commit before seeing the complete road ahead.
- Little time to rest: The 18 corners arrive quickly, with few long straights between them.
- Changing cambers: Parts of the road slope across the direction of travel, which can either support the car or push it away from the preferred line.
How did it become famous?
Charade hosted the Formula One French Grand Prix in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972. Jim Clark won the first event, followed by Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt and Stewart again.
The circuit also held ten French motorcycle Grands Prix between 1959 and 1974. Riders including John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini competed on the demanding mountain roads.
Formula One stopped visiting after 1972 as the limited runoff, volcanic stones and narrow roads no longer met the championship's developing safety expectations.
What races here today?
- Historic racing: The Historic Tour brings classic touring cars, sports cars and single-seaters back to the circuit.
- Endurance and touring cars: Club championships feature longer races, pit stops and multiple drivers.
- Fun Cup: Identical lightweight cars produce close racing with an emphasis on reliability and teamwork.
- Drifting: Selected events judge drivers on angle, line and control rather than lap time.
- Track days and demonstrations: Road cars, historic machinery and performance vehicles use the circuit during organised sessions.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Modern Formula 3 race record: 1:43.827 - Sébastien Bourdais in a Martini MK79, 1999.
- Modern GT benchmark: 1:53.679 - Jean-Pierre Jarier in a Porsche 911 GT2, 1998.
- Historic Formula One record: 2:53.900 - Chris Amon in a Matra MS120D, 1972.
- Historic motorcycle record: 3:32.400 - Giacomo Agostini on a Yamaha YZR500, 1974.
The Formula One and motorcycle records were set on the original 8.055 km road course. They cannot be compared directly with times from the present 3.975 km circuit.
What else happens at Charade?
The 84-hectare complex includes off-road areas, driver-training facilities and spaces used for vehicle testing and corporate events. Public activities may include passenger laps, displays and gatherings of classic or performance cars.
Charade Classic meetings regularly bring privately owned historic vehicles into the paddock, giving visitors a more informal way to experience the venue.
Why go?
Charade has one of the most dramatic settings in French motorsport. The circuit follows the natural volcanic landscape, with wooded hills, steep slopes and views towards the Chaîne des Puys.
The venue also provides a direct link between modern club racing and an important period of Formula One and motorcycle history. Portions of the old eight-kilometre road circuit can still be explored on surrounding public roads.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for starts, pit-lane activity, demonstrations and the finish.
- Petit Pont: A historic braking area where drivers must slow and position the car accurately.
- Elevated hillside areas: Useful for appreciating the gradients and seeing more than one section of the circuit.
- Technical descending sections: Watch cars rapidly change direction while the road falls away beneath them.
- Paddock: Best for seeing the vehicles, drivers and mechanics closely when access is included.
Circuit de Charade is at Saint-Genès-Champanelle, approximately 11 km from Clermont-Ferrand railway station and 17 km from Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport. Driving is normally the simplest way to reach the venue. Parking, viewing areas and paddock access vary between events, so check the latest organiser information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Circuit de Charade (France)
Circuit de Charade is in the volcanic hills south-west of Clermont-Ferrand in central France. Driving is the easiest way to visit, while visitors arriving by train should travel to Clermont-Ferrand and take a taxi for the final journey to the circuit.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is the simplest way to reach Charade because the circuit is outside Clermont-Ferrand in a rural, mountainous area.
- From Clermont-Ferrand: head south-west towards Saint-Genès-Champanelle and the Manson area.
- From the motorway network: approach Clermont-Ferrand using the A71, A75 or A89 before following local roads towards Charade.
- Navigation: search for “Circuit de Charade”.
- Final approach: expect smaller and more winding roads as you climb into the hills.
Save the address as Circuit de Charade, Rond-point de Manson, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
Getting there by train
Clermont-Ferrand is the main railway station and is approximately 11 km from the circuit.
- Take the train to Clermont-Ferrand.
- Continue by taxi directly to Circuit de Charade.
- Arrange your return in advance if the event finishes late in the day.
There is no convenient regular public transport service directly to the circuit, so a taxi is much easier than trying to combine local services.
Flying in
Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport (CFE) is the nearest airport and is approximately 17 km from Charade.
- Rental car: the easiest option for travelling directly to the circuit.
- Taxi: practical for a direct airport-to-circuit transfer.
- Into Clermont-Ferrand: local public transport connects the airport with the city centre.
- Larger airports: Lyon can offer a much wider selection of international flights but requires a considerably longer onward journey.
Clermont-Ferrand Airport is only 6 km east of the city centre, so staying in the city and travelling to Charade separately is also practical.
Parking
Charade has substantial spectator parking for public events, although the exact entrance and parking arrangement depends on the meeting.
- Public event days: the circuit opens a visitor parking area covering approximately 16 hectares.
- Historic Tour: the current 2026 visitor plan places free parking between the Thèdes and Manson roundabouts.
- Smaller events: visitors may use different areas closer to the main circuit entrance.
- Follow event signs: competitor, paddock and spectator vehicles can use separate entrances.
Parking is free at several major 2026 public events, but always check the information for your specific meeting.
Where to stay
Clermont-Ferrand is the easiest base because it provides the widest choice of accommodation, restaurants and transport.
- Central Clermont-Ferrand: best for hotels, restaurants and railway connections.
- Royat: on the western side of the city and convenient for travelling towards Charade.
- Saint-Genès-Champanelle: closer to the circuit but with fewer accommodation choices.
If you are attending for several days, accommodation on the western or south-western side of Clermont-Ferrand can shorten the morning drive.
2026 circuit status
Charade remains active in 2026, although one of its largest events was affected by financial difficulties involving the circuit operator.
- Charade Super Show: the planned June 2026 public event was cancelled after the circuit operator entered judicial restructuring.
- Later events: the official calendar still lists Charade Classic meetings and the Historic Tour during September and October 2026.
- Before travelling: check that your individual event is proceeding as planned.
The circuit itself remains in operation, but the current situation makes checking the latest official announcement particularly important.
Understanding the circuit
Charade is one of France's most distinctive race tracks, built into the volcanic landscape surrounding Clermont-Ferrand.
- Opened: 1958.
- Current circuit: 3.975 km.
- Turns: 18.
- Maximum gradient: approximately 9%.
- Licence: FFSA Grade 4.
- Formula 1: the original 8.055 km circuit hosted four French Grands Prix between 1965 and 1972.
The modern circuit uses part of the historic course but is much shorter than the original mountain layout.
Race-day tips
- Drive if possible: public transport is much less convenient than at a city circuit.
- Arrive early: the final mountain roads and event parking entrances can become busy.
- Wear comfortable shoes: expect slopes, grass and significant elevation changes around spectator areas.
- Prepare for mountain weather: conditions can be noticeably cooler, wetter or windier than central Clermont-Ferrand.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children.
- Save the address: Rond-point de Manson, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
For a first visit, stay in Clermont-Ferrand and drive or take a taxi to Charade. Without a car, pre-booking both your outward and return taxi is the safest plan.
Parking, admission, spectator entrances and event schedules can change between meetings. Circuit de Charade entered judicial restructuring during 2026 and the Charade Super Show was cancelled, so confirm that your individual event is proceeding before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Circuit de Charade (Clermont-Ferrand, France)
Circuit de Charade is one of France's most distinctive racing venues, winding through the volcanic hills just outside Clermont-Ferrand. The modern circuit is shorter than the legendary mountain course that once hosted Formula 1, but it still packs steep gradients and 18 corners into less than 4 km - with the Puy de Dôme, Vulcania, Michelin attractions and the wider Auvergne countryside all close by.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Vulcania: An exploration park devoted to volcanoes, natural phenomena and Earth sciences, with immersive attractions that make the region's unusual geology easier for children to understand.
- Panoramique des Dômes: Ride the cog railway to the summit of the Puy de Dôme for huge views across the Chaîne des Puys without having to tackle a long mountain climb.
- L'Aventure Michelin: Motorsport and engineering fans can explore more than a century of Michelin history through vehicles, interactive exhibits and displays about tyres, travel and innovation.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- L'Aventure Michelin: The obvious indoor choice for automotive fans, covering everything from Bibendum and road maps to unusual prototype vehicles and Michelin's industrial history.
- Gergovie Museum: Interactive displays explain the Battle of Gergovia, where Vercingetorix defeated Julius Caesar's forces during the Gallic Wars.
- Historic Clermont-Ferrand: Explore the dark volcanic-stone Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral, Place de la Victoire and the UNESCO-listed Romanesque Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port.
Eat & drink around Clermont-Ferrand
- Try truffade: One of Auvergne's classic comfort foods combines potatoes with melting local cheese and is ideal after a cool or wet day at the circuit.
- Look for Saint-Nectaire: This soft PDO cheese is produced in the surrounding volcanic region and appears in restaurants, markets and cheese shops throughout the area.
- Try Auvergne charcuterie: Cured meats commonly accompany local cheeses and make an easy addition to a relaxed lunch.
- Central Clermont-Ferrand: The historic centre gives you the widest choice of restaurants and cafés if you are staying for a full race weekend.
Get outdoors between race days
- Puy de Dôme: Walk to the 1,465-metre summit or take the panoramic train for views across a chain of around 80 volcanic peaks.
- Lake Aydat: Relax beside one of the area's volcanic lakes, with walking, swimming and water sports available depending on the season.
- Gergovie Plateau: Combine history with an easy outdoor excursion and wide views across Clermont-Ferrand and the surrounding volcanoes.
Charade sits at higher elevation than Clermont-Ferrand, so conditions can change quickly. Bring a waterproof layer and sun protection even when the city forecast looks settled.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Murol & Lake Chambon: Explore the dramatic medieval Château de Murol before walking around nearby Lake Chambon beneath the Sancy mountains.
- Volcan de Lemptégy: Go inside an exposed volcanic site where geological layers can be seen at close range, making it a useful companion to a visit to Vulcania.
- Massif du Sancy: Head deeper into the mountains for hiking, waterfalls, volcanic scenery and towns such as Le Mont-Dore.
Good to know during race weekends
- The famous old circuit was much longer: Charade opened in 1958 with an approximately 8 km mountain course that used sections now outside the modern permanent track.
- Formula 1 raced here four times: The French Grand Prix visited Charade in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972, with winners including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt.
- The current layout dates from 1989: Safety concerns led to the creation of the closed 3.975 km circuit used today.
- Check individual event access: Charade also hosts testing, training and private activities, so a busy-looking circuit calendar does not always mean public spectator entry.
- The 2026 Super Show was cancelled: The planned June event did not take place, but other 2026 meetings including Charade Classic and Historic Tour remain listed by the circuit.
- Bring hearing protection: Historic racing cars and motorcycles can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, spectator access, track activities, attraction opening hours, mountain transport and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.