Since 1939, the town of Angoulême has held a wonderful event showcasing beautiful classic cars: the Circuit des Remparts. It takes place every year on the third weekend in September and has several categories in which all vintage car enthusiasts can compete.
A legendary course
Angoulême's Circuit des Remparts is one of the oldest races in France, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the French Grand Prix. Since the first event in 1939, the course in the town has been exactly the same, which is not the case for any other car race in France.
Le Pilote Jean Ragnotti sur Renault Type K Paris - Vienne au concours d'élégance (1902)Fondation du patrimoine
Over the years, the International Grand Prix of Angoulême—Circuit des Remparts, which became simply the Circuit des Remparts—has seen some of the greatest names in car racing compete: Raymond Sommer, Maurice Trintignant, and Fangio in 1978 and 1984.
Here, we can see Jean Ragnotti, the great rally driver, in the 2019 elegance contest.
Panther Kallista au rallye international d'Angoulême (1984)Fondation du patrimoine
The Circuit has maintained a strong international reputation to the present day, especially among people in the United Kingdom, leading some of Her Majesty's subjects to say, "The Circuit des Remparts is the biggest British event on the Continent!"
Le public nombreux du Circuit des Remparts d'AngoulêmeFondation du patrimoine
The event attracts more than 65,000 people over the course of the weekend.
This huge audience can admire more than 1,000 classic cars that are exhibited in the town over the course of these three days and encourage competitors in the four big races that punctuate the event.
Sava au concours d'élégance (1914)Fondation du patrimoine
The elegance contest:
Organized on Friday evening on Angoulême's Champ de Mars, the contest is free to the public. About forty cars, mostly from before the World War II, are featured on the podium.
This contest is recognized by the French Federation of Vintage Cars.
The competitors are judged not only on the condition of their classic car, which must be impeccable, but also, and most of all, on their outfit, which must match their vehicle's era.
Here, a young couple compete with a Sava from 1914.
Moto Peugeot 105 FT au concours d'élégance (1938)Fondation du patrimoine
The elegance competition was originally a French specialty—the exclusive privilege of dandies and grandes dames in high fashion outfits. It was a symbol of French luxury.
Today, the practice has been democratized. All enthusiasts of vintage cars and their eras can compete.
Here, we see a father and son on a Peugeot 105 FT motorcycle from 1938.
Ford A speedster au rallye international d'Angoulême (1930)Fondation du patrimoine
The Rallies:
Saturday is dedicated to different rallies organized on the roads of Charente: the International Rally, Club Rally, Bugatti Rally, and Brand Rally. More than 450 cars participate.
Here, a couple participates with a Ford A Speedster from 1930.
Jaguar SS 100 lors du rallye international d'Angoulême (1938)Fondation du patrimoine
The public, gathered along the route, admires the cars while the competitors explore the countryside and local heritage.
Here, a couple drives a Jaguar SS 100 from 1938.
Halte déjeuner du rallye international au Château de La MercerieFondation du patrimoine
Crews participating in these rallies meet up for a convivial lunch at one of Charente's heritage sites.
In 2019, the Château de la Mercerie à Magnac-Lavalette-Villars hosted the drivers.
Minerva lors du rallye international d'Angoulême (1904)Fondation du patrimoine
The condition contest:
About 10 cars participate in this contest. The goal is to determine which one is closest to its original state, both mechanically and aesthetically.
The winner is the participant who has restored their car to the state it would have been in if it had just left the factory.
Bugatti 35 sur le circuit des remparts d'Angoulême (1927)Fondation du patrimoine
Races at the Circuit des Remparts:
The highlight of the weekend is on Sunday, with the races taking place on the Circuit des Remparts.
Some 180 competitors are divided into 10 categories of races, based on the type of car.
The NICOLOSI category only includes Bugattis from the 1920s.
Trio d'Austin seven sur le circuit des remparts d'Angoulême (1929/1931)Fondation du patrimoine
The TRINTIGNANT includes racing cars from before the Second World War.
Here is a trio of Austin Sevens produced between 1929 and 1931.
Porsche 911 2.5 ST, Ford Escort, CG Simca sur le circuit des remparts d'Angoulême (1972/1974)Fondation du patrimoine
Touring, GT, and GTS cars from 1966 to 1976 race in the GREDER category.
Here are a 1972 Porsche 911 2.5 ST, a 1974 Ford Escort, and a 1973 CG Simca.
Voiture MORS au rallyeFondation du patrimoine
The MORS car :
This superb car is the last known example of the first gasoline engine vehicle presented by Émile Mors at the Paris Salon du Cycle (Cycling Show) in 1896. Today, it is in the possession of the Angoulême Circuit des Remparts association. These vintage car enthusiasts want to restore the MORS car to its original condition, with the support of the Fondation du patrimoine (French Heritage Foundation).
At the beginning of the 20th century, the car belonged to the Countess of Castres, as the coat of arms still present on the car demonstrates.
It was then acquired by Mr. Tapon, a MORS dealer in Charente, who decided to keep this treasure in his family.
The last Tapon family descendants donated the car to the town of Angoulême in 2000.
Its upholstery, paint, woodwork, and tires were restored by the town's municipal services. It has been exhibited under the City Hall's grand staircase for several years.
Voiture MORS démontéeFondation du patrimoine
Today, the Circuit des Remparts association wants to restore all the car's copper and bronze parts, which were sold during the Second World War.
In order to restore the missing parts to their original condition and enable the car to participate in major international events again, the Fondation du Patrimoine has put out a call for donations.
Intégralité du circuit des Remparts à Angoulême (2019)Fondation du patrimoine
Relive Angoulême's 2019 Circuit des Remparts.
Our thanks to Jean-Marc Laffont, the president and Michel Loreille, and François Granet, vice presidents of the Angoulême Circuit des Remparts for their invaluable help in creating this content.
To support the MORS car restoration project along with the Fondation du Patrimoine, click this link : https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/les-projets/voiture-mors-1896
