The following photo's were taken on our visit last year 207 it was a beautifully hot sunny day - we had such a wonderful time for our first visit, we shall be returning each and every year.  You can visit the circuit which is closed off for the racing and amble around the pits and meet the racing drivers.  'Stirling Moss' was a VIP guest at the Ramparts in 2007 and was taken around the circuit with his wife, waving to the spectators.

For the english visitors who cannot understand the french language, there is english commentary as well as french.

     

          

Poitou-Charentes exhibits one of the most prestigious Motor Sports events in France, The Circuit Des Remparts, which takes place in the historic capital of the Charente region, Angouleme. The “Remparts” as it is known locally is a street race, similar thoughts to Monte Carlo. Every September over 200 drivers, Fench and British, take their prestigious classic cars to the streets of Angouleme to compete in the “Battle of the Remparts”. Bugatti, Frazer Nash, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, these are just a few of the classic cars you will find competing at Angouleme, drivers are willing to risk life and limb, as well as their precious cars, racing around the tight streets and chicanes of the Remparts, whilst many spectators cheer them on, imagine the atmosphere - you really need to be there!
   
It really must be an experience to be a part of the Remparts, the atmosphere is tense. These cars are unlike modern racing cars, you can't just flick a button, sit back, and the car almost drives itself, the cars at the Remparts are almost like living breathing organisms, that need constant care and attention –  sometimes they fail, they break down, despite all the care and attention and you are left with one coughing, spluttering animal and one equally frustrated rider, or driver. That is all part of the experience of racing vintage or classic cars.

The circuit is 1.279 kilometres in length, with three 90-degree hair-pin bends, and two fast straights, where the drivers of these historic cars reach speeds of up to 120mph, having to brake heavily down to 20mph at the hairpins.

 

 

The first ‘Circuit des Remparts’ race was held in 1939 with 10 participants, but the second race was delayed until 1947 due to World War Two. There were other breaks in the continuity of the rampart races - 1951 when the formula one rules stopped the races until 1955 and then again from 1955 until 1978. In 1983 the race was finally brought back to life as a venue for historic cars. It has taken place each year since, with the exception of 1989, and now holds the distinction of being the last race of its kind with only Monaco and Pau as contenders offering high-speed, French, city street racing.