Paris Circuit des Invalides
Location
Les Invalides, Paris, France
Current Local Time
Track Info
Circuit des Invalides - Paris, France
Compact Formula E street circuit around one of Paris's most famous landmarks - tight, technical and surrounded by historic architecture
When was the track built?
The Circuit des Invalides was created specifically for Formula E's first race in central Paris in 2016. It was a temporary street circuit, so public roads around the Hôtel des Invalides were fitted with barriers, fencing, grandstands and racing infrastructure for the event.
The lap passed the Musée de l'Armée and Napoleon's tomb. Some historic cobbled sections were temporarily covered with racing asphalt, which was removed again after the event.
When was its first race?
The first Paris E-Prix took place on 23 April 2016. Lucas di Grassi won for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport ahead of Jean-Éric Vergne and Sébastien Buemi.
Paris remained on the calendar for four consecutive seasons. Buemi won in 2017, home favourite Vergne won in 2018 and Robin Frijns took victory in the final race in 2019.
What's the circuit like?
- Very short and technical: Fourteen corners are packed into less than two kilometres, so drivers had almost no time to relax during a lap.
- Difficult to overtake: Narrow streets and short straights made track position extremely important, putting extra pressure on qualifying.
- Mixed road surface: The circuit used normal Paris streets, including areas that required temporary asphalt to cover historic cobblestones.
- Unusual pit lane: Space around Les Invalides was limited, forcing the pit lane onto the Esplanade des Invalides with a very tight route back to the circuit.
Formula E benchmarks
- Race lap record: 1:02.323 - Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing, 2016.
- 2016 winner: Lucas di Grassi won the inaugural Paris E-Prix.
- 2017 winner: Sébastien Buemi won from pole for Renault e.dams.
- 2018 winner: Jean-Éric Vergne took pole and victory at his home event.
- 2019 winner: Robin Frijns won Formula E's first race affected by heavy rain and hail.
Why go?
Few racing circuits have been placed as deeply inside a famous capital city as Paris. Formula E cars raced around the golden-domed Hôtel des Invalides, with the Eiffel Tower visible nearby and spectators only a short distance from the action.
The compact lap also meant the cars returned quickly, making it easy for newcomers to follow the race and appreciate how precise drivers needed to be between the barriers.
Formula E has not raced at Les Invalides since 2019. The planned 2020 Paris E-Prix was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and did not take place.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Opening corners: A good choice for race starts, with the tightly packed field immediately negotiating narrow 90-degree corners.
- Turn 7 hairpin: One of the slowest parts of the circuit, allowing spectators to see the cars under heavy braking before accelerating away.
- Esplanade des Invalides: Best for experiencing the circuit's unique historic setting and seeing the unusual pit-lane area.
These viewing suggestions refer to the former Formula E configuration; the temporary circuit is not currently used for racing.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Paris Circuit des Invalides (France)
Circuit des Invalides was a temporary Formula E street track surrounding the historic Les Invalides complex in central Paris. Formula E no longer races here, but the former circuit area is extremely easy to visit by Metro, RER or on foot.
Is Circuit des Invalides still active?
The Paris Formula E circuit is no longer an active race venue. Formula E first raced around Les Invalides in 2016 and returned annually through 2019.
The grandstands, barriers, pit buildings and safety infrastructure were temporary. Once the E-Prix was over, the surrounding streets returned to normal Paris traffic.
You can visit almost all of the general circuit area, but do not expect a permanent racing facility or Formula E visitor centre.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, Metro or RER is by far the easiest way to reach Circuit des Invalides. The former track was built in the heart of Paris and is surrounded by excellent public transport.
Invalides station is the most convenient starting point. La Tour-Maubourg and Varenne are also useful depending on which side of the old circuit you want to explore.
Tip: Navigate to Hôtel des Invalides or Musée de l'Armée rather than searching for a current race-circuit entrance.
Metro & RER
- Invalides: served by Metro lines 8 and 13 and RER C, directly beside the former circuit.
- La Tour-Maubourg: on Metro line 8 and useful for the western side of Les Invalides.
- Varenne: on Metro line 13 and convenient for the southern side and Musée Rodin.
- From central Paris: most major areas require only a short Metro journey and possibly one interchange.
Check RATP shortly before travelling, as engineering works can affect Metro and RER services.
Driving & parking
Driving is possible, but public transport is normally much easier. Les Invalides is in central Paris, where traffic can be slow and parking is limited compared with suburban race venues.
- Navigation: use Hôtel des Invalides, 129 Rue de Grenelle, Paris as a useful reference point.
- Parking: use current legal street or commercial parking in the surrounding area.
- No race parking: old Formula E spectator car parks and road closures are no longer relevant.
- Walking: once you reach Les Invalides, exploring the former circuit area on foot is much simpler than moving your car between locations.
Paris airports
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): use RER B towards central Paris, then transfer to the Metro or RER network for Invalides.
- Paris-Orly Airport (ORY): Metro line 14 provides a direct airport connection into central Paris, where you can change towards Invalides.
- Easiest with luggage: taxi or private transfer is convenient, although road traffic makes travel times less predictable.
- Staying centrally: it is normally easiest to travel to your hotel first and visit Les Invalides separately by Metro.
About the former circuit
The Paris E-Prix course was one of Formula E's shortest circuits and wrapped tightly around one of the city's most famous historic landmarks.
- Length: 1.93 km.
- Corners: 14.
- Type: temporary street circuit.
- Setting: Les Invalides and Musée de l'Armée.
- Formula E era: 2016–2019.
Visiting the area today
A good starting point is the Esplanade des Invalides. From here you can walk around the historic complex and recognise many of the streets that once formed the Formula E lap.
The circuit passed the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb, with the Eiffel Tower visible from parts of the course. Without barriers and grandstands, however, the area now looks like a normal part of central Paris.
An old Formula E circuit map is useful for matching today's streets with individual corners, but remember that these are active public roads.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies across the Paris Metro network, so visitors with mobility requirements should check the exact stations and lifts available before travelling. The streets and esplanades around Les Invalides are largely paved, although individual crossings and entrances may vary.
Circuit des Invalides is no longer an active Formula E venue. Metro and RER services, road access, parking and pedestrian routes can change, so check current RATP and Paris visitor information before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Circuit des Invalides (Paris, France)
Paris’s former Formula E circuit wrapped around Les Invalides, putting electric street racing beside one of the city’s grandest historic landmarks. Formula E no longer races here, but the old circuit area is perfect for museums, Seine walks, famous bridges and easy visits to the Eiffel Tower.
Family-friendly highlights around Les Invalides
- Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars: Paris's most famous landmark is an easy walk from the former circuit. Enjoy the lawns below or book a tower visit for views across the city.
- Seine cruise: Sightseeing boats provide an easy way to see major landmarks without spending hours walking, making them especially useful with younger children.
- Musée de l'Armée: Inside Les Invalides, the Army Museum contains armour, weapons, uniforms and military history, as well as access to the famous golden dome and Napoleon's tomb.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Musée de l'Armée: The obvious first stop because the Formula E circuit actually wrapped around the Invalides complex. Its collections cover centuries of French and European military history.
- Musée Rodin: A short walk away, this museum combines works by Auguste Rodin with a peaceful sculpture garden featuring some of his best-known pieces.
- Musée d'Orsay: Cross towards the Seine for one of Paris's major art museums, particularly famous for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections.
Eat & drink away from the old circuit
- Rue Cler: This nearby market street is an easy place to find cafés, bakeries, cheese shops, fruit stalls and simple meals.
- Try a Paris bakery: A fresh baguette, croissant or pain au chocolat makes an inexpensive breakfast or snack between attractions.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Head farther east for traditional cafés, restaurants and an evening atmosphere within easy reach of Les Invalides.
Explore the old circuit area on foot
- Esplanade des Invalides: Walk across the broad lawns between Les Invalides and the Seine for some of the best views of the former race setting.
- Pont Alexandre III: Cross this ornate bridge for views back towards the golden Invalides dome and onwards towards the Grand Palais.
- Seine riverbanks: Continue beside the river towards the Eiffel Tower or Musée d'Orsay for an easy sightseeing walk through central Paris.
The Formula E circuit used public roads, so there is no marked racing line to follow today. Explore the area as a normal city walk rather than a preserved race track.
Easy trips if you have more time
- Louvre & Tuileries: Combine the world's most visited art museum with a walk through the neighbouring gardens and along the Seine.
- Île de la Cité: Explore the historic heart of Paris around Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle and the riverbanks.
- Montmartre: Head north for steep streets, artists, cafés and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica overlooking the city.
- Versailles: If you have a full day, travel outside central Paris to explore the famous palace, formal gardens and royal estate.
Good to know when visiting the old circuit
- There is no permanent race track: Formula E used temporary barriers, fencing and grandstands around ordinary Paris streets. These were removed after each race.
- Formula E has moved on: Paris has not hosted the championship since 2019, so check the current calendar if attending a live race is your main reason for travelling.
- Public transport is easiest: Invalides is well served by Metro, RER and buses, and many nearby attractions are close enough to reach on foot.
- Book major sights ahead: The Eiffel Tower, popular museums and special exhibitions can become busy, particularly during weekends and holiday periods.
Formula E no longer races at Circuit des Invalides. Museum hours, attraction access, transport services and events can change - check current information before travelling.