Anneau du Rhin

A bit of history

The Anneau du Rhin in Alsace is one of those tracks that quietly grew from a regional insider tip into a serious player on the European track day map. Built in 1996 by Marc Rinaldi on the grounds of a former hunting estate near the village of Biltzheim, the circuit has always been a family project. Today it’s managed by his son, François Rinaldi, who continues to develop and refine the facility.

From the beginning, the circuit was designed as a permanent race and test track rather than a converted airfield or temporary road course. The original layout measured about 2.9 km and quickly became popular with local clubs, driving schools and test teams. Over time, demand grew, and so did the circuit.

In the mid-2000s, the track was extended with an additional western loop. This expansion allowed for several different configurations and turned Anneau du Rhin into a much more versatile venue. The surface and safety features have been continuously improved, including full resurfacing and widening in later years, which brought the circuit up to modern standards.

A key milestone for the track came when it began hosting high-profile national and international events. The current competition layout of just over 3.6 km was homologated for racing, and in 2022 Anneau du Rhin welcomed the World Touring Car Cup for the Race of Alsace Grand Est. For many fans and drivers, this was the moment the “quiet” circuit in the forest suddenly appeared on the global motorsport radar.

Today, Anneau du Rhin is considered the largest permanent circuit in the Grand Est region of France, with a maximum length of around 4.0 km in its longest configuration.

 

The Anneau du Rhin today

Anneau du Rhin is located in the heart of Alsace, only a short drive from the Rhine and the German and Swiss borders. Surrounded by forest, the paddock and access roads give the whole place a special, almost private feel when you arrive for a track day.

One of the big strengths of Anneau du Rhin is its modular layout. The circuit can be configured in several ways, depending on the event:

• Classic / Original Circuit – approx. 2.9 km
  The original layout from 1996. Compact, flowing and still used for certain events and training days.

• Competition Circuit – just over 3.6 km
  The main layout for car and bike racing as well as most track days. This version combines a technical first sector with faster, more open sections later in the lap.

• Full / Leisure Circuit – up to 4.0 km
  The longest configuration, used for certain leisure and club events. It’s one of the longest permanent circuits in north-eastern France and offers a very complete driving experience.

A signature feature of Anneau du Rhin is its long main straight, measuring around 1,050 metres. Here, powerful cars can really stretch their legs and achieve serious speeds before heavy braking into the next corner. Despite this, the track is not just about top speed:

• The first sector is more technical, with tighter combinations that reward precise turn-in and clean lines.

• The middle and final sectors are faster and more flowing, with medium- to high-speed corners that allow you to build rhythm and confidence lap after lap.

The layout is often compared to a “compact Paul Ricard”: long straight, generous run-off in key areas and a mix of curves that work well for both cars and motorcycles.

Infrastructure-wise, Anneau du Rhin offers a spacious paddock, pit facilities, a kart track on site and enough space for large events with many trucks and support vehicles. For track day drivers, that simply means: easy logistics, good access, and a pleasant place to spend a full day at the circuit.

What we think about it

For us, Anneau du Rhin is one of those circuits that keeps surprising you the more time you spend there. On paper it might look “simple” – in reality, it’s anything but.

Here’s why we rate it so highly as a track day destination:

• Accessible for beginners
  The layout is logical and relatively easy to learn. There are no extreme blind corners or huge elevation changes that punish small mistakes straight away. Newcomers usually feel comfortable after only a few sessions.

• Challenging for experienced drivers
  Once you know where the track goes, the real challenge begins. Braking points on the long straight, carrying speed through the fast middle sector, and finding the perfect line through the more technical sections can keep even advanced drivers busy for a long time.

• Great variety in one lap
  Long straight, tight corners, flowing sections – Anneau du Rhin offers a bit of everything. You work on braking technique, trail braking, rotation in slower corners and high-speed confidence, all in a single lap.

• Works for many types of cars
  From hot hatch and lightweight track toy to GT car or even race machines: the circuit suits a wide range of vehicles. Less powerful cars can gain time in the technical sections, while high-power cars can exploit the long straight and fast corners.

• Ideal location for international track days
  Being so close to Germany and Switzerland, the track attracts a very mixed paddock. On any given day you might see French, German, Swiss, Belgian and other drivers sharing the circuit – which gives the events a relaxed but international atmosphere.

Onboard impressions & final thoughts

Onboard laps from Anneau du Rhin usually tell the same story: a long run down the main straight, hard braking, a busy steering wheel in the first sector, and then a car (or bike) dancing through the faster parts of the circuit. It’s the kind of track where you finish a session and immediately think, “I can definitely find another half second out there.”

Whether you arrive in a daily-driven performance car, a purpose-built track tool or something more exotic, Anneau du Rhin offers plenty of opportunity to explore your limits in a safe, well-organised environment.

Short version:

• Easy to reach

• Fun to learn

• Hard to master

Exactly the kind of combination we love to have in our track day calendar. See you on track soon at Anneau du Rhin!