Motorcycle circuits in France, region by region
Protect my motorcycle with GeoRideYes, there are motorcycle circuits within reach in almost every region of France: Carole on the doorstep of Paris, Paul Ricard in the Var, Lédenon, Dijon-Prenois, the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans, or Croix-en-Ternois in the far north. All of them organise track days open to riders of all levels, beginners included. Here is the map, region by region, along with our advice for preparing your first track session.
The essentials
- Every major region has at least one circuit that welcomes motorcycles during track days open to everyone.
- Sessions are organised by level: no need to be an experienced racer to give it a go.
- The gear requirements are stricter than on the road: leather suit often compulsory, check the rules with each circuit.
- Think about insurance: most standard motorcycle policies do not cover track riding.
Which motorcycle circuits can you find in each region of France?
Every major French region has at least one circuit open to motorcycles, from legendary tracks like Paul Ricard or the Bugatti at Le Mans to lesser-known circuits that are perfect for learning. The table below lists the best-known tracks, region by region.
| Region | Circuits worth knowing |
|---|---|
| Île-de-France | Carole (Tremblay-en-France), La Ferté-Gaucher |
| Hauts-de-France | Croix-en-Ternois |
| Grand Est | Chambley, Anneau du Rhin |
| Pays de la Loire | Le Mans (Bugatti circuit), Fay-de-Bretagne |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Dijon-Prenois, Nevers Magny-Cours, Bresse |
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Charade (Clermont-Ferrand), Le Laquais, Issoire |
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Val de Vienne (Le Vigeant), Pau-Arnos, Haute Saintonge |
| Occitanie | Lédenon, Albi, Nogaro, Alès |
| Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | Paul Ricard (Le Castellet), Grand Sambuc, Le Luc |
The list is not set in stone: some circuits open their doors to motorcycles only on certain days, and others change their calendar every season. Before booking, always check the motorcycle track day dates and the rules directly on the website of the circuit you are interested in. And if your region is less blessed with tracks, nothing stops you from turning the journey into a proper ride: our guide to creating a motorcycle road book in France will help you polish the route.
Which motorcycle circuits are there around Paris?
The Carole circuit, in Tremblay-en-France, is the most accessible track for riders in the Paris area: it sits around twenty minutes from Paris and lives first and foremost for motorcycles. It offers several packages to discover the track safely, or simply to enjoy yourself if you already have experience. All the practical details are on the official Carole circuit website.
If you are just starting out, the end-of-day package is an excellent way in: you ride for an hour after the most experienced riders have left, in calmer traffic. A great way to test your skills and how well you know your bike, and to end the day with a proper shot of adrenaline without any pressure from the stopwatch.
A little further east, the La Ferté-Gaucher circuit also regularly hosts motorcycle days and training courses: a practical alternative when Carole's calendar is full.
And around Marseille and the far south?
The most famous circuit near Marseille is without question Paul Ricard, at Le Castellet in the Var. You can ride there on your own motorcycle or choose a package with a rental bike. Coached training days are the best way to progress: lines, braking, body position, everything comes much faster with an instructor in your wheel tracks.
The south is full of other tracks. The Grand Sambuc, near Aix-en-Provence, is narrower and more technical: better to arrive with a little experience. The Le Luc circuit, in the Var, and Lédenon, near Nîmes, complete the picture, the latter famous for its hilly, physical layout that never gives you a break. Do check the required level before choosing your first track. And between two sessions, the region remains a magnificent playground on the open road: we have prepared a guide to planning your motorcycle ride in Provence.
How should you prepare for a first track day?
Preparation comes down to three things: your gear, your bike and your mindset. On track, speeds are far higher than on the road, so crashes slide much longer: most circuits require a leather suit (one or two pieces depending on the rules), reinforced gloves and boots, and a back protector. Your everyday textile jacket and reinforced jeans will generally not be enough. Each circuit publishes its own rules: read them before you book, not the night before.
On the bike side, a serious check is a must: brake pads in good condition, healthy tyres inflated to track pressures (they differ from road pressures, the topic is covered in detail in our guide to motorcycle tyre pressure), fluids topped up, nothing leaking. Many organisers also ask you to tape up or remove mirrors and lights.
Finally, arrive early: the morning briefing is not a formality, it is where you learn the flags, the overtaking rules and how the level groups are organised. Ride in the group that genuinely matches your experience: it is the best way to progress without scaring yourself.
How can you measure your progress from one session to the next?
The simplest way is to record every session so you can compare your days: distance covered, average speed, top speed and, above all, the lean angle you dare to take in corners. That is exactly what a connected GPS tracker like GeoRide does, with nothing to start: capture is automatic, and everything is waiting on your smartphone at the end of the day. If you are weighing up several options, we have compared the apps for recording your motorcycle rides.
10
That is how many positions GeoRide can record every second in corners, where a conventional GPS beacon sends one point every 5 minutes. Plenty to review your lines in detail.
The GeoRide 3s also records your lean angle every second: average angle, maximum angle and how it evolves along the route, with a graphical view. For a rider discovering the track, watching your lean angle improve session after session says far more than a feeling at the handlebars. And in the evening, the 3D replay lets you fly over your route and relive the best sections, or even turn them into a video to share.
"When you do a big road trip day, you get home in the evening, sink into the sofa and watch your ride back. That feeling is unreal." (Thomas, GeoRide founder)
One detail that matters: your recorded speed is a personal, confidential statistic. The tracker is not a certified speed measurement device, and this data can never be used against you.
Is your motorcycle safe in the paddock and during transport?
During the sessions, yes: the paddock is alive, almost everyone knows everyone, and your bike stays under the eyes of dozens of enthusiasts. The moments that deserve your attention are elsewhere: the night before, when the bike sleeps on a trailer or in a van on a hotel car park, and the journey itself, with its motorway service station stops.
That is where a real-time GPS tracker changes everything. A GPS tracker like GeoRide warns you at the slightest vibration or movement of the bike, by notification, by email, and even by phone call during the time slots you choose, at night for example. You can also set a zone around the hotel: if the bike leaves it without you, you know immediately. No need to stand guard, in most cases the alert alone is enough to act in time. To go further on the subject, see our guide to protecting your motorcycle against theft.
What GeoRide brings here
A track day with a GeoRide on the bike is the best of both worlds: the GPS tracker watches over the motorcycle during transport and the night before, and every session is captured automatically, statistics, weather and route included. The GeoRide 3s adds lean angle recording, designed precisely for sports riders and track day enthusiasts, and can even charge over USB on race-prepped bikes without a battery. Fitting takes 5 minutes, red wire on the plus, black wire on the minus. Want to see the app before you decide? It offers a freely accessible demo mode, and the official resellers can give you a demonstration in store.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ride on track with your everyday motorcycle?
Yes, most track days welcome road bikes without any special preparation. You simply have to follow the circuit's rules: visual technical check, sometimes a noise limit, mirrors taped up or removed. You do not need a sports bike to enjoy yourself, especially in the beginner groups.
Does my motorcycle insurance cover track riding?
In most cases, no: standard policies exclude riding on circuits, even outside competition. Check your policy before booking, and ask the organiser: many offer day insurance to cover your track time.
Which circuit should you choose for a first time?
The right circuit to start on is one close to home that organises sessions by level, like Carole in the Paris region with its end-of-day package. A short, flowing layout is more forgiving than a fast track, and a coached training day remains the most reassuring formula for a first lap.
How can you record your lean angle on track?
The GeoRide 3s measures your angle every second in corners and displays your average lean, maximum lean and how they evolve along the route. Capture is automatic: you ride, and the graph is waiting in the app at the end of the session.
Can the speeds recorded on track be used against me?
No, the speed recorded by the GeoRide tracker is a personal, confidential statistic. The unit is not a certified speed measurement device and this data can never be used against you: it exists only to track your progress.
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