Located near Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne region of central France, the Circuit de Charade is one of the most dramatic and challenging circuits ever used in international motorsport.
Built around the slopes of an extinct volcano, Charade gained a fearsome reputation for its relentless sequence of corners, constant elevation changes and stunning natural setting. Often compared to a faster, twistier version of the Nürburgring, the original circuit demanded immense concentration from drivers and riders, with almost no true straights and little margin for error.
Although its time on the Formula One calendar was brief, Charade remains one of France’s most memorable historic venues and one of the most distinctive road circuits the sport has ever seen.
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Circuit de Charade
| First Grand Prix | 1965 French Grand Prix |
| Number of Laps | 38 |
| Circuit Length | 8.055 km |
| Race Distance | 306.090 km |
| Lap Record | 2:53.900 Chris Amon (1972) |
Circuit
When was Circuit de Charade built?
Construction of the Circuit de Charade began in May 1957, and the venue officially opened on 27 July 1958.
The circuit was designed by Jean Auchatraire and French racing driver Louis Rosier, using existing public roads around the Puy de Dôme, an extinct volcano that dominates the landscape near Clermont-Ferrand.
The original layout measured 8.055 km and featured an extraordinary 48 turns, making it one of the most complex circuits in Europe. Its flowing mountain-road character, combined with steep gradients and a near-constant rhythm of corners, quickly earned it a reputation as one of the most technically demanding tracks in the world.
The first event at the circuit in 1958 included an endurance race won by Innes Ireland and a Formula Two race won by Maurice Trintignant.
When was the first French Grand Prix at Circuit de Charade?
The first Formula One French Grand Prix at Charade was held in 1965, and it was won by Jim Clark driving for Lotus.
In total, the circuit hosted the French Grand Prix four times: 1965, 1969, 1970, and 1972.
The venue also became well known in motorcycle racing, hosting the French motorcycle Grand Prix ten times between 1959 and 1974.
Charade’s final Formula One race in 1972 summed up both the brilliance and danger of the circuit. The race was won by Jackie Stewart, but the event was heavily overshadowed by safety concerns caused by loose volcanic stones. Several drivers suffered punctures, and Helmut Marko was struck in the visor by a rock, an accident that ended his racing career by blinding him in one eye.
As safety standards rose during the 1970s, Charade’s lack of run-off areas and its hazardous natural surroundings made it increasingly unsuitable for top-level international racing.
What happened to the original circuit?
The original 8.055 km road circuit remained in use until 1988, but growing safety concerns eventually forced its closure.
A new, shorter 3.975 km version of the Circuit de Charade opened in 1989, using the southern part of the old layout together with a new link section. This modernised track has since hosted national racing, track days, driver training and historic events.
In 2000, the venue became a fully permanent circuit when the roads were closed to public traffic and new pit facilities were added.
Circuit de Charade lap record
The official Formula One race lap record on the original Charade circuit is 2:53.900, set by Chris Amon driving the Matra MS120D during the 1972 French Grand Prix.
Though Formula One only visited four times, Charade remains one of the sport’s great lost road circuits — a venue admired for its beauty and difficulty, but ultimately overtaken by the safety demands of modern Grand Prix racing.