Grand Prix Circuit de Reims Photo Gallery by kayjaynz at pbase.com

Grand Prix Circuit de Reims

This small gallery is dedicated to this iconic and atmospheric circuit, located just 15 minutes drive from the centre of Reims. The circuit was in use from 1926 to 1970. During that period, Reims hosted the French Grand Prix 15 times. Just like Spa-Francorchamps, Reims is a classic road course: fast, narrow and dangerous. Formula One visited Reims for the very last time in 1966, when Jack Brabham won.
Since 1970, nothing much has happened with the once famous race track: Parts of the circuit are used as public roads, the old grandstands and pits are still there as ruins. I was lucky enough to visit the circuit in 2002 and again in 2003. I was dismayed to see the degree of deterioration during that short time. Thankfully a group of local enthusiasts has now begun saving what is left of the buildings. I urge anyone visiting this area of France to take the time to see this historic place. There’s more to Reims than champagne!

comment |

Charles Davis		03-Aug-2012 19:51
They also had the world championship road race for bicycles there in 1958

Guest		03-Aug-2012 19:49
They also had the world championship bicycle road race there in 1958

Pat		13-Nov-2011 17:17
Fantastic! On this circuit, I've seen the victory of Mike Hawthorn ( Ferrari )in 1958.... What a memory Thank you. Vote!

Bob pope		06-Nov-2011 20:35
Had a look round Oct 2011 looking better now than some of the pictures. intersting place to stop for 30-40 mins, Bob

Malcolm		27-Feb-2011 12:09
I was fortunate to visit the circuit in November 2010, with my brother and friends and met Les Amis (the local group who have set about restoration of the buildings). Although our French was not good, and their English about the same, we managed to have a short conversation about Mike Hawthorn who won twice at the circuit and was born in Mexborough where my brother and I both work, We would love to return for the festival in September such an iconic place.

Loraine Mercury		28-Aug-2010 13:26
Love Reims, my late Father, Bill Nicholson raced there in the '60s. Glad it is getting some TLC at long last

Dave Govier		18-Jul-2009 15:45
Hi. further info on where to buy the 'Circuit de Reims' book. You can but it on line from www.motors-mania.com (they are in France but send world wide). They also have a nice book on the 12 hour races at Reims from 1963 - 67 at 25 Euros. Both of these books can be bought in the UK from www.collectorscarbooks.com

Guest		26-Apr-2009 23:17
Greetings: I am attending Le Mans in June and will visit Reims on Tuesday before the race. Has anyone visited the Auto Museum in Reims and any old racing cars? If interested please check out our podcast on www.f1weekly.com and on edition # 339 you can listen to my extended interview with Sir Stirling Moss, conducted last month in Florida. Thank you and racing regards. Nasir Hameed California nasir@f1weekly.com

Dave Govier		20-Nov-2008 22:22
Betty, There is a book on the old circuit. Its by Patrick Sinibaldi and its called 'Circuit de Reims' and is published be ETAI. They have a website www.etai.fr - on there home page click on 'Espace Pro' and when that page comes up type 'Reims' into the search box at the bottom of the page and that will take you straight to it. I bought a copy while at the 2bd Weekend of Excellence this year and it was 37 Euro's. It all in French, but has some wonderful pictures and is a great book if like me you love the circuit. Hope you are able to get a copy, if you are struggling try some one at the A.C.G. see my previous bit below. The 3rd Weekend of Excellence will be on 26th and 27th September 2009.

Betty Townsend		20-Nov-2008 20:22
Please could you let me know if there is a book about the old circuit at Reims. We make a detour each year to look at the old buildings and tour the circuit. My partner would be very pleased with a surprise Christmas present. If anyone has any book titles it would be most appreciated.

Dave Govier		30-Oct-2008 19:08
Hi everyone, I've been to the 2007 and 2008 'Weekend of Excellence' at the circuit of Reims - Gueux. Both were fantastic events, and a 3rd is planned for September 2009. Info can be found at www.weea-organisation.com or the 'Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux' (of which i am a member) web site www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr and both have a GB flag for the translation. The circuit itself is lovely still to drive round, and well worth a trip.

S Stubbs		24-Jun-2008 10:31
Good pictures, can't find much info about the weekend but am looking to book with Speedchills and going this September. Thanks for the pictures and above info, helps a lot.

Boz		27-Nov-2007 12:30
Great pictures... very evocative. I've been thinking about visiting this place for some time now, and December 07 issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine has just made my mind up for me! I just read the article about the first Week-end de l'Excellence Automobile de Reims held on 21-23 Sept. Looks like a superb event and is being held again next year. Could be a good alternative to the now very busy Classic Le Mans!

Andy Smith		21-Sep-2007 17:01
Visited on 13 September on a glorious sunny day. Weeds pretty much clear, lots of new paint on hte pit complex, control tower and scoreboard. Really atmospheric. Can't believe how close it is to the hotels at Tinquex where loads of Brits overnight on their way to the alps. Well worth the detour if you're a petrol head and heading south on A26.

Chris Higgs		09-Sep-2007 21:09
Thanks for the images. Hope to get their WC 17th September. Should be a godd run for my Triumph Sprint Chris Higgs

Rob Pearce		29-Aug-2007 21:22
just came back from the circuit, was there on saturday 25th of August with friends, all flat out on the straight, noise through the grandstand is amazing. the pit buildings have had all the shrubbery removed and had fascia of building repainted. the scoreboard has also been painted. still a lot of derelict buildings and you can only imagine what it was like. great trip,

tammy white		25-Aug-2007 08:38
we are visiting reims in october and are keen to visit the old circuit could you give me any idea of how we find it as we would like to drive around it if possible. Is there a website that can give us any specific information

Paul Gohde		12-Jul-2007 19:48
Fulfilled a long held quest and vivited the Reims/Geoux site in March. Alain, a member of preservation group was painting pit box signs and generously answered questions and took our picture. Cafe in Geoux has a wealth of pictures of the circuit, some when it ran through the town. I was able to join preservation group while at the track and am the only US resident registered as a member. They have a vintage race weekend coming up in September and are working hard to get the place ready. Things seem optomistic as opposed to a few years ago when road widening plans could have brought down this historic site.Thanks,Paul

Mark Waller		19-Jun-2007 12:47
We visited the circuit on our way home from 2007 Le Mans and I'm glad to say the place looks excellent, and great improvemnets have been made since these pic's where taken.

Neil Bailey		27-May-2007 21:26
The local preservation society are slowly cleaning and restoring the pit areas and adjacent buildings, but progress is intermittent. It is close enough to the UK for British enthusiasts to get together and offer to 'sponsor' the renovation of a specific building or area, this requires time and effort rather than money.

Michael		17-May-2007 17:45
It's great to see much of the circuit is now being restored to it's former state !

stuart smith		09-May-2007 11:37
Thanks for great images. With three friends I am going to visit the circuit in September 2007. This has been a fine taster. Stuart

Guest		09-May-2007 11:36
Thanks for great images. with three friends we are going to visit the circuit in September 2007. This has been a fine taster. Stuart

Guest		09-May-2007 11:36
Thanks for great images. with three friends we are going to visit the circuit in September 2007. This has been a fine taster. Stuart

Guest		27-Apr-2007 06:29
mate fantastic, if you need anymore pictures let me know do you have a picture of the BP logo on the floor in one the rear building, lovely tiled mosaic, would perhaps been presentation area, was rear pit building not on main straight, this place is gostly and wonderful, I loved and it and fully recommened anyone going near this area to go to it Thanks Scott minimonaro@hotmail.com

Tom Beech		10-Apr-2007 13:01
Good shots, but sad to see this. Thank you

ac		10-Apr-2007 07:00
Kind idea to share those ruins. Interesting story.

jlB		08-Mar-2007 21:41
thank you for these images ....

Guest		26-Feb-2007 20:45
This is great!...love the old buildings from the past, nice to see this old circuit is getting some TLC now from a local conservation group, love to visit there sometime. Thanks for posting these very nice pictures ;O)

Matt Munckton		27-Nov-2006 10:30
Great pics,i've been trying to find some pics of the track in its heyday but there doesnt seem to be many about Matt

Mike Stobbs		11-Nov-2006 18:08
This is great gallery and super images....keep up the great work...Mike

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment