Magny-Cours and the French F1 Grand-Prix

by Clive & Lois Edwards

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grand Prix Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours

Situation – South of the Loire Valley, between Dijon and Bourges, Magny-Cours is really in the middle of nowhere, 7 miles south of the town of Nevers

How to find it: From Paris take the Autoroute A6 southward towards Dijon, and exit at Auxerre, thence via the N151 to Nevers, then the N7 southward to Magny-Cours

Contact details – Address 58470 Magny-Cours, France Tel 03.86.21.80.00

escription: Originally a club circuit, Magny Cours was transformed into a modern Grand Prix circuit in the early ‘90s as a result of political persuasion by former French President Francois Mitterand, a motor racing fan and supporter of the French F1 team Ligier, who, once the circuit had been modernised moved into a new “technopolis” adjacent to it. Since 1991 Magny Cours has been the home of the French F1 Grand Prix. The modern circuit, with first class pit and paddock facilities, is around 2.4 miles in length, with 14 turns and with 75% of the track viewable from the grandstands. Its main problem from a spectator point of view is a lack of nearby accommodation capable of coping with the numbers for a Grand Prix – see Accommodation section for details.

French GP latest

Parking: There’s plenty of parking close to the circuit, mainly in designated fields, but access to and from the whole area is on minor roads, and long delays during major events, especially the FI GP are inevitable

Major Events: French F1 Grand Prix, Formula 3000 Grand Prix, French Formula 3 Championship race, FIM Grand Prix Motorcycle World Championship race

Where to Stay: Hotels –

Holiday Inn Magny-Cours 0.5km

Campanile Varennes-Vauzelles 5km

Climat de France Nevers 12km

Ibis Nevers 12km

La Renaissance Magny-Cours 2km

Where to Stay: Campsites – those indicated * have been inspected and approved by Alan Rogers Guides

Camping Les Bains* St.Honore-les-Bains ??km

Where to eat out: Restaurants:

Nevers: Jean-Michel Couron

La Botte de Nevers

La Cour St-Etienne