Francorchamps: Motorsport History and Nature Trails
Accommodation in Francorchamps
Discover Francorchamps through the different sides of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and local points of interest. The highlights include driving experiences, two walks with different themes, and historical connections. If you are planning a trip to Francorchamps, you can first consider whether you would like to experience motorsport yourself, explore on foot, or learn more about the area's history.
Driving Experiences and Motorsport History
At the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, visitors can experience two laps of the track as a passenger in an Alpine A110 with an experienced driver. The Public Driving Experience is different: amateur drivers take their own cars onto the track, with no timing. The difference, then, is whether you ride as a passenger or drive yourself. Dates may vary for both current offerings. So check the scheduled dates if you want to plan your trip around them.
The Circuit has a motorsport history dating back to 1921. This long history also provides the backdrop for one of the walks at the Circuit: the Balade du Centenaire is dedicated to the Circuit's centenary. Here, history is not just a date; it is the theme of a walk around the grounds.
Two Walks, Two Different Themes
Circuitsp’Adventure is a nature walk almost 1.5 kilometres long. It crosses the Eau Rouge from one bank to the other, using bridges and, in some sections, boardwalks. This playful and educational walk in the heart of the Circuit combines sports activities and games with the discovery of local fauna and flora. Educational information boards cover these nature themes. The trail thus brings together exercise, playful elements, and information about plants and animals.
The Balade du Centenaire is the Circuit's second walk. Rather than focusing on nature along the Eau Rouge, it leads across the Circuit grounds past large helmets. Each helmet represents a decade in the Circuit's history, from 1921 to 2021. The two walks therefore differ primarily in their themes: Circuitsp’Adventure focuses on nature and activities, while the Balade du Centenaire focuses on motorsport history.
Historic Sites and Getting Around
The Ancienne Douane also has its own connection to motorsport history. The building was constructed in 1870 and served as a customs house for the Prussian authorities until 1914. Part of the grounds was also used as a Parc fermé during the Grand Prix des Voitures de Série. These details give the site several historical points of reference without combining them into a single event.
Two other places are described as useful points of reference in the area. The “Playground of Francorchamps” is behind the church in a quiet area; access is from the left side of the church. The Tourist Info point of Francorchamps is an information point for tourists passing through. It is open during certain times of the year, rather than following a fixed year-round schedule. So if you plan to visit this information point, take its seasonal opening hours into account.
When looking for a hotel in Francorchamps, you can use the planned focus of your trip as a guide: a driving experience, one of the walks, or the historical sites. Dates for driving experiences may vary, and the information point has seasonal opening hours.
For a broader travel overview: Stavelot.
