Did you know? A century-old autodrome track is located in Essonne.

TheLinas-Montlhéry Autodrome is a racetrack that has hosted numerous races since it was built in 1924 byarchitect Raymond Jamin. At the time of its creation, the autodrome was the brainchild ofAlexandre Lamblin, an inventor and professional in the automotive industry. At the beginning of the 20th century, the automotive industry was booming, and the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome was the 5th of its kind to be built, following in the footsteps of Brooklands (UK), Indianapolis (USA), Monza (Italy) and Miramas (France).

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This is where classic and sports car festivals are held every year, bringing together vintage car enthusiasts for the occasion. These include the Rallye de Paris (vehicles from 1950 to the present day), the Youngtimers festival to see your childhood car on parade, the Vintage Revival and its pre-war vehicles...

The circuit features a speed ring with straight lines (each 190 meters long) and concave bends, enabling numerous world records to be broken: just two months after its opening in 1924, some 100 records have already been set (according to Motorlegends.com). The circuit was extended with a 12.5-kilometer track, extending the original speed ring, enabling the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome to host the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France in 1925. Abandoned in 1936 due to a lack of funding, the autodrome was abandoned and became a military training camp and an internment camp for nomads and gypsies during the Second World War.

In 1946, theUnion Technique de l'Automobile, du Motocycle et du Cycle (UTAC) finally took over management of the site and its facilities: in 1947, the track reopened, having been refurbished. From then on, the autodrome hosted events enabling collectors and motor sport enthusiasts to ride on the track.

To mark the centenary of the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome, the racetrack is the subject of a free exhibition at the Domaine de Chamarande, compiled from the Archives départementales. Come and discover the history of this unique site in the Île-de-France region during this unique retrospective!