From September 18 to 20, 2026, Angoulême hosted the 54th edition of the Circuit des Remparts, a major event for vintage car aficionados. Thousands of enthusiasts flocked to the city for competitions, rallies, exhibitions, and races.
Friday evening featured the traditional Concours d’élégance, presided over by journalist François Allain. Thirty-three cars and five motorcycles competed. The jury, including sports official Laurence Bistos, awarded the "Best of Show 2026" prize to a gleaming 1927 Humber 14/40. Other awards recognized vehicles in various categories, such as an Aston Martin DB4 (1960) and an Alcyon 2HP (1910) for motorcycles.
Saturday saw the start of various rallies from Magelis, the Champ de Mars, and Champniers, taking participants to explore the south of Charente, with a notable stop at the Château de Chalais. Upon their return to Angoulême, the 500 participating cars were admired by a large crowd along the roads and at the Champ de Mars.
Saturday afternoon was dedicated to heritage with the Concours d’état held at Place Saint-Martial. Vehicles ranging from a Lorraine Dietrich type DIC to a Ferrari 308 GTS were judged. Xavier Bonnefont presented the Brigitte Bardot prize. The "Best of show 2026" for this concours went to a 1970 Renault 8S.
Sunday saw the circuit come alive with nearly 11,000 spectators within the paid enclosure. Over 160 cars participated in practice sessions and various races on the historic track. Diverse racing fields crowned drivers such as Jonathan BAILEY on a 1927 Bugatti Type 35C and Steven MCEVOY on a 1937 MG KN Bellevue Special.
Several exhibitions extend the event in Angoulême: "Lorraine-Dietrich: history of the marque" at 16/9 (until October 3, 2026), "Lorraine Dietrich on land, sea, and air" at the Musée d’Angoulême (until November 29, 2026), and "Focus on garages" at the Espace Mémoriel (until October 3, 2026).
The next edition, the 55th, is already scheduled from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19, 2027. The Circuit des Remparts, established in 1939, remains a must-attend event, annually gathering hundreds of vintage vehicles for rallies, concours, and races on its unchanged historic 1,279-meter circuit.
