24h Le Mans
24 HOURS CENTENARY – THE LE MANS EXCEPTION ⎮ During race week each year, spectators flock to the Village to enjoy all it has to offer, including shops, bars and restaurants, the fun fair and much more! The party has remained in full swing for a century, with the attractions evolving so everyone always has a blast!.
The Village boasts shopping areas, a chapel, a small hospital, restaurants, relaxation areas, plenty of entertainment options...something for everyone! It has been THE place to be during Le Mans race week ever since the very first running in 1923.
The already sizable Village was set up behind the pits across from the grandstands until World War II. According to former Bugatti circuit director Hervé Guyomard: "At the first 24 Hours, there was even a boxing ring!" The current location was initially taken up by a golf course.
The crowd at a 24-hour endurance race comes to have fun! The ACO organises a wide array of entertainment, activities and attractions every year so the whole family finds something to enjoy.
Children in particular were thrilled with the arrival of the fun fair. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was located on the other side of the Dunlop curve. During those years, the fun fair was the hot spot at the circuit, hosting most of the festivities during race week. Later, a portion was moved to the Porsche curves where the famous Ferris wheel (a favourite among night photographers) was first erected. Thrill rides, rifle shooting, skill games, bumper cars and much more are now to be found between the concert area and La Chapelle.
The fun fair, restaurants, bars, rides…there is no shortage of crowd-pleasers at the Village! Guyomard: "It's even a reason some families come!" In the 1970s, a popular dance was held every year and the shops themselves had to be decorated during race week, with the ACO giving an award for the most festive boutique!
The vibe has evolved over the years to a motor show style with marques and sponsors increasingly investing in the Village, setting up displays for their latest cars and activities for the crowd. The development of technologies has added more and more exciting experiences like virtual pit lane immersions and racing simulators.
Attractions and activities are also made available by the ACO in fan zones with giant screens and games. In 2022, three fan zones were set up around the circuit, and this year for the Centenary there will be 11! That isn't even counting the kid zones for children 3-12 with bounce houses, baby areas and more.
PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO/Archives): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. From top to bottom: a snapshot of the attractions at the 24 Hours Village: the iconic Ferris wheel, simulators and exposés on future technologies including the ACO's Mission H24 hydrogen prototype.
