Local interest in motorsport began with proposals in 1908 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. The first race was held in July 1958, featuring 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 wrote 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 sinuous track layout caused some drivers, such as Jochen Rindt during the 1969 French Grand Prix, to complain of motion sickness; Rindt wore an open-face helmet just in case. Despite the numerous curves, the track was relatively fast; Chris Amon set the lap record in a Matra MS120 with a 167 km/h (104 mph) average during the 1972 French Grand Prix.
The venue gained international prominence hosting the French motorcycle Grand Prix ten times between 1959 and 1974. In 1959, Stirling Moss competed there for the first time and declared: "I don't know a more wonderful track than Charade". That same year, Ivor Bueb died following a crash, the only driver fatality in the circuit's history. The only motorcyclist fatality occurred in 1963 when Marcelin Herranz was killed during the 250cc race of the French motorcycle Grand Prix.
The circuit's natural setting created safety concerns due to dark volcanic rocks that routinely fell from the mountain onto both sides of the track. These rocks posed a perennial hazard, as shown during the 1972 French Grand Prix when ten drivers suffered tire punctures. Drivers who skirted the track edge would send rocks flying into the middle of the road and into the path of pursuing competitors. One particular incident in 1972 involved a rock penetrating Helmut Marko's helmet visor after being kicked up from ahead of him, cutting his racing career short as his left eye was subsequently blinded. The mountainous topography also 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. While Charade continued to host smaller competitions such as Formula 3, rallying, and the Trophées d'Auvergne, safety issues persisted. In 1980, three track marshals were killed at a touring car race, and in 1984 there was a drivers protest over track safety. The final race on the original 8.055 km track was held on September 18, 1988.
The General Council of Puy-de-Dôme financed the building of a new 3.975 km (2.470 mi) circuit to preserve the track's importance to the local economy. This version utilized the southern portion of the original track with a new link road and opened in 1989. It later hosted national championship races including the 1994 French Supertouring Championship and the 1998 FFSA GT Championship.
In 2000, the roads were closed to the public and the track became a permanent facility with new pit garages and a widened pit lane. The original sections of the 8.055 km street circuit remain in use as public roadways.
In 1965, John Frankenheimer filmed part of his movie Grand Prix at the circuit, using 3,000 local inhabitants as extras. More recently, part of the circuit was ridden by riders on stage 10 of the 2025 Tour de France. Currently, the venue holds events such as track days, driving courses, and historic motorsport events.
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