Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Racing Circuit

Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours lies in rural central France, roughly 260 km south of Paris near the town of Nevers. Its origins trace back to Jean Bernigaud, the young mayor of Magny-Cours, who from the late 1950s pushed to build a purpose-built circuit to bring visitors, jobs and training to the area, with the original Circuit Jean Behra opening in 1960. In 1988 that early track was demolished and rebuilt as the modern Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, which opened in 1989 alongside a thriving motorsport industrial estate. The new layout deliberately echoed famous corners from around the world, including an Adelaide hairpin, an Estoril-style sweep and chicanes modelled on Imola and the Nurburgring. From 1991 to 2008 it hosted the Formula One French Grand Prix, cementing its place on the international stage, though its flat profile and limited overtaking opportunities drew criticism. The circuit also staged the Bol d'Or motorcycle endurance race from 2000 to 2014 before both events moved to Paul Ricard. Today it is best known for its annual round of the Superbike World Championship, which it has held since 2003. More recently it has welcomed GT World Challenge Europe and remains a regular venue for the FFSA GT Championship and other French national series. Very flat with negligible elevation change, the circuit rewards precision and clever chicane technique over raw bravery.

Operated by: Conseil Général de la Nièvre