Circuit des Remparts, Angoulême
15 - 23 September 2027
Join fellow members on a superb drive to South West France to the amazing ‘Circuit des Remparts’ event in Angouleme. This motoring festival takes place over the third weekend in September; to include a non-competitive rally around the stunning Charente countryside, famous for its Cognac vineyards and distilleries. The weekend culminates with the racing taking place on the closed streets of Angoulême, on a 1.5 km circuit which has remained unchanged since the 1930’s, when it was run as a Grand Prix. Drivers such as Trintignant and Fangio have both raced in Angoulême.
The tour departs from Portsmouth as you board the overnight ferry to St Malo. We have arranged a meeting point once on board to get to know your fellow tour participants. The real fun starts as we arrive the following morning into St Malo in Brittany and take to the stunning French roads and head for the pretty village of Combourg for a lakeside breakfast stop. From here enjoy the superb empty French D-roads with suggested stops along the way. The first overnight stay is in Fontevraud just a few kilometres from the Loire River. Your charming hotel is situated in the main square, where you can enjoy a drink after the day's drive before dinner that evening.
Day two brings another superb day of driving as you head into the Vienne Valley. We have included a coffee stop as well as other interesting stops such as the ruins in one of the ‘plus beaux villages des France’. The run then takes you into the Charente to your central hotel in Angoulême, complete with secure parking and an outdoor swimming pool, perfect after a day’s driving.
Price
(price based on 2 people sharing a room)
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking
£2899 per person Standard Double Room (JEC Members)
£2999 per person Privilege Twin Room (JEC Members)
What's Included
Return crossing with Brittany Ferries
A large two berth cabin each way
Breakfast stop in Combourg
Overnight stay at the Croix Blanche, Fontevraud on B+B basis
Drinks reception at Croix Blanche
Dinner at the Croix Blanche with wine, water, coffee, tea included
Coffee stop in Pleumartin
Three nights at the St Gelais, Angouleme on a B+B basis
Walking tour of Angouleme
Entry to the Saturday rally with lunch included
Grandstand & Paddock access on race day
Dinner on Sunday evening with wine, water, coffee and tea
Detailed roadbook and rally plate
Escorted by an experienced tour manager
What's Not Included
Dinner on the outward ferry
Entry to the Saturday evening gala buffet in Angouleme – please enquire
Itinerary
Wednesday 15th September
The tour departs from Portsmouth as you board the 20.15 hrs overnight ferry to St Malo. The group have a reservation in the ship’s a la carte restaurant, for a chance to meet your fellow tour participants. You have cabins reserved on board this overnight sailing.
Thursday 16th September
The ship is due to arrive at 08.00 hrs. From the port of St Malo, we have a short run to a lakeside breakfast stop. It is a then a superb run on fabulous D-roads via interesting towns and pretty countryside down to the overnight hotel in Fontevraud, near the Loire River. There is time for a swim, visit to the Abbaye or a walk around the town before a drinks reception and dinner at the hotel.
Friday 17th September
We depart the Loire after breakfast and head into the Vienne Valley on superb open D-roads. We have a coffee stop arranged and a suggested stop in one of France’s prettiest villages. On arrival in Angoulême, there is time to relax in the hotels pool after the day's drive. For those that wish, join the walking tour of the town to get the lie of the land ahead of the weekend's proceedings. This evening is free to enjoy the many bars and restaurants in town.
Saturday 18th September
This morning, the official rally starts for a picturesque run through the Charentais countryside. The route takes you via the Cognac vineyards, distilleries and pretty villages surrounding Angoulême. There are check points through the morning and afternoon and a three-course lunch at a surprise location. This evening is free to soak up the atmosphere in the town.
Sunday 19th September
Today is race day. The cars competing take to the track through the morning for practice to get the best possible grid position for the afternoon races. Expect to see vintage Bugattis, historic touring cars and even group B rally cars out on track. Your tickets will get you into the paddock and include your own grandstand seat to catch all the action. This evening we have arranged a farewell dinner for the group.
Monday 20th September
After breakfast at the hotel, you can make your way back to the Port of Caen for the overnight sailing departing at 2300 hrs. Your onboard cabin accommodation is reserved for you.
Tuesday 21st September
The ship is due to dock into Portsmouth at 0700 hrs.