Local interest in motorsport racing began as early as 1908 with proposals for a street circuit, though these were never enacted. Efforts were renewed after the Second World War when Jean Auchatraire, President of the Sports Association of the Automobile Club of Auvergne, and racer Louis Rosier designed a course by adapting pre-existing roads around the Puy de Dôme. Construction began in May 1957, and the first races were held in July 1958: an endurance race won by Innes Ireland in a Lotus 1100 and a Formula Two race won by Maurice Trintignant in a Cooper T43.
The original 8.055 km (5.005 mi) circuit was described as an even twistier and faster version of the Nürburgring. With a relentless number of sharp curves, elevation changes, and almost no discernible straights, the track was both feared and respected. In his 1969 book Motor Cycle Racing, Peter Carrick noted that the circuit "was seen to be in complete contrast to the lap at Monza, when it was first used in 1959: the longest straight was 590 m (650 yd) and a variety of really tight corners quickly demonstrated—or exposed—a rider's skill!"
The venue gained international prominence hosting the French motorcycle Grand Prix ten times between 1959 and 1974. Stirling Moss, competing there for the first time in 1959, declared: "I don't know a more wonderful track than Charade." However, the sinuous layout caused some drivers, such as Jochen Rindt during the 1969 French Grand Prix, to complain of motion sickness. Despite the curves, the track was relatively fast; Chris Amon set a lap record in a Matra MS120 with a 167 km/h (104 mph) average during the 1972 French Grand Prix.
The circuit's history was marked by a few fatalities. In 1959, Ivor Bueb died following a crash, the only driver fatality at the track. In 1963, motorcyclist Marcelin Herranz was killed during the 250cc race of the French motorcycle Grand Prix. In 1965, John Frankenheimer filmed a small part of his movie Grand Prix at the circuit, utilizing 3,000 local inhabitants as spectators.
The circuit's natural setting created safety concerns due to dark volcanic rocks that routinely fell from the mountain onto the track. These rocks posed a perennial hazard, as seen during the 1972 French Grand Prix when ten drivers suffered tire punctures. Drivers skirting the track edge would send rocks into the path of pursuing competitors. One such incident in 1972 involved a rock penetrating Helmut Marko's helmet visor, blinding his left eye and ending his racing career. Furthermore, the mountainous topography left no room for safe run-off areas.
As concerns about the dangerous nature of the public roads rose, the venue was increasingly shunned by international series. In 1971, the safer Circuit Paul Ricard held the French Grand Prix for the first time, eventually becoming the event's permanent home. Charade continued to host smaller competitions, such as Formula 3 and the Trophées d'Auvergne. However, in 1980, three track marshals were killed at a touring car race, and in 1984, drivers protested over track safety. The final race on the original 8.055 km track was held on September 18, 1988.
Recognizing the track's importance to the local economy, the General Council of Puy-de-Dôme financed the construction of a new 3.975 km (2.470 mi) circuit. This version utilizes the southern portion of the original track, with a new link road completing the loop. The new Circuit de Charade opened in 1989, later hosting the 1994 French Supertouring Championship and the 1998 FFSA GT Championship.
In 2000, the track became a truly permanent facility as the roads were closed to the public and new pit garages were added. While the modern circuit hosts track days, driving courses, and historic events, the original sections of the 8.055 km street circuit remain in use as public roadways. Part of the circuit was ridden by competitors during stage 10 of the 2025 Tour de France.
Derived Figures:
The longest straight of 590 m is converted to 650 yd based on the corpus text.
The original circuit length of 8.055 km is converted to 5.005 mi based on the corpus text.
The modern circuit length of 3.975 km is converted to 2.470 mi based on the corpus text.
Gallery · 3 related images
