Angouleme, France
September 19–21, 2025
As it has every year since 1978, Angouleme will spend three days in September celebrating passion for cars. First held in 1939, interrupted by the war, and then resumed from 1947 to 1951, the Circuit des Remparts race has seen the participation of major brands such as Alfa Romeo, BMW, Bugatti, Delahaye, Ferrari, and Maserati, as well as star drivers of the era such as Fangio, Gonzales, Sommer, and Trintignant.
Despite its relatively short existence, the Circuit des Remparts gained a certain notoriety, which led to the revival of the event in the late 1970s in the form of vintage car races. The event, now well established in the world of historic motor racing, is unique in that it combines three days of vintage car races, elegance concours, tourist rallies, and exhibitions, thus satisfying the tastes of a diverse audience. Another unique feature is that the circuit laid out in the city of Angouleme has not changed since 1939!
Michel Vaillant as a guest star
This year, one of the most famous drivers in the automotive world is in the spotlight: Michel Vaillant. The comic book hero is featured on the official poster at the wheel of a famous Vaillante, in true Jean Graton style. This is the third time, after 1987 and 2017, that Michel Vaillant has appeared on the official poster for the event.
The Angouleme Museum will host an exhibition entitled “Michel Vaillant and the Circuit des Remparts: a beautiful story!”, which will feature numerous visuals illustrating the links between the race and the comic book hero. Indeed, Volume 50 of the adventures of Michel Vaillant, “Le Défi des Remparts” (The Challenge of the Ramparts), took place during a historic edition of the race, and in September 2025, a new Season 2 album called “Remparts” will once again take place in Angouleme. It will also be available for preview during this weekend. The exhibition at the Angouleme Museum will run until October 8. Michel Vaillant will also be the theme of two other exhibitions. A series of Art Strips will be on display at Place Bouillaud, while the cars from the albums will be presented in the streets of central Angouleme. Add to that a round table discussion and book signings to complete the festivities.
Exhibitions
Two exhibitions will be dedicated to two French manufacturers that are no longer in existence but had their moments of glory, Chenard & Walcker and Mors. Founded in 1899, Chenard & Walcker built sports cars and a few luxury sedans, but the brand is best known for its many sporting successes, the most prestigious of which was undoubtedly its victory in the first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923.
Mors built cars from the late 19th century until the 1920s. Mors cars won numerous national and international races, but from 1905 onwards, the company’s financial situation became more chaotic, and it called on André Citroën to revive it. Ultimately, Citroën created his own company and absorbed Mors in 1919. The oldest Mors in the world, an 1896 model with a V4 engine, now belongs to the City of Angouleme and has been carefully restored and put back on the road. This will be an opportunity for a gathering of Mors cars from all over Europe, including two cars presented by the National Automobile Museum of Mulhouse – Schlumph Collection.
Copyright photos Automobile-Museums
Finally, the Angouleme Memorial Space is hosting a photo exhibition dedicated to “The History of a Family of Amateur Drivers in the Roaring Twenties,” memories of a Charente family whose grandmother Yda Cousinier-Grech and her brother Marcel Grech participated in numerous amateur races in the south of France in the 1920s and 1930s.
Concours
The first event of the 2025 “Ramparts” will be the FFVE-certified (French Federation for Vintage Vehicles) Elegance Concours, which will take place on Friday evening on the Esplanade du Champ de Mars and will also feature a motorcycle concours. The State and Restoration Concours will take place all day Saturday at Place Saint-Martial. The cars will be on display all weekend, with the awards ceremony taking place on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. Once again this year, there will be a motorcycle category.
Vintage Rallyes
On Saturday, three rallies will take place on the beautiful roads of Charente. The cars will be divided according to their age, on routes adapted to their features. The three rallies will end with a drive through the town before parking at the 1st RIMa, a military regiment that will open its doors to allow the public to admire the cars.
Copyright photos © Agence Austral
Races
The weekend will culminate with the races on Sunday. Participants will be divided into seven FFSA-approved competition categories. As every year, one category will be entirely dedicated to Bugatti, and two categories will feature pre-war cars in two engine size classes. Three other races will bring together Grand Touring cars up to 1976, classified according to their age, and finally one “Coupe de l’Avenir” class, bringing together the small barquettes that enjoyed considerable success in France from 1976 to 1989. The competition will be complemented by two demonstration rides, one for rally cars and the other dedicated to the Bugatti Type 13 “Brescia,” the first Bugatti produced in (small) series in Molsheim.
Copyright photos © Agence Austral
Copyright photos Automobile-Museums
Finally, in another nod to the star of the 2025 edition, Vaillante “Grand Défi” cars will be running on the circuit on Sunday. Based on a Hommel barquette with Peugeot 16-valve mechanics, the Vaillante “Grand Défi” presented in 1999 was intended for guest star races. Between exhibitions, contests, and competitions, there will be plenty to fill three days of automotive passion, with a varied offering and many activities accessible free of charge. Access to the general enclosure for Sunday’s race is €35.
Practical information
