HISTORY OF
THE MUSEUM
For more than 60 years, our museum has told the story of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the motor car. From its creation to its major evolutions, discover the key moments that have shaped this iconic site of automotive heritage.
Creation of the motor car museum
In 1961, Jean-Marie Lelièvre, the President of the ACO, launched the construction of a museum dedicated to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the motor car with the support of the departmental authorities. Located in the heart of the circuit, a building of over 1,000 m² near the circuit village housed this heritage showcase that displayed an initial collection of 65 vehicles.
Moving and expansion
The museum evolved over time. In 1991, on the initiative of the Sarthe General Council, it was moved to a site near the circuit’s main entrance. This new 4,000 m² building provided more room for a museum dedicated to the history of the motor car. The ACO also used it to displayed racing cars, in particular those loaned by manufacturers and collectors.
A new scenography focused on the 24 Hours of Le Mans
In 2009, the 24 Hours Museum – Circuit de la Sarthe succeeded the Sarthe Automobile Museum. The new exhibition design traced the history of the motor car since the late 19th century, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans as its central theme. It assembled 140 vehicles and celebrated the great names of the Le Mans race.
The Museum and the ACO
In 2017, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest acquired the museum. It was the start of a new initiative whose aim was to transform it into a major cultural and heritage centre for the circuit. The visitor reception area and museum displays were redesigned to better situate the collections in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The museum's 60th anniversary
To mark its 60th anniversary, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum showcased 27 iconic cars from its permanent collection. A new exhibition design allowed visitors to rediscover these treasures and explore the 24 Hours of Le Mans from a fresh perspective, both sporting and historical!
The Great Centenary Exhibition
A century after the creation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the occasion of the Centenary Edition, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum put on a unique exhibition assembling 80 authentic cars that had raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The exhibition included more than 60 winners and immersed the public in 100 years of the history of the world’s greatest endurance race.
An ambitious expansion
The 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum closed to the public on July 7th. Work began to expand the museum’s total surface area to 8,600 m², This required 45,000 m³ of earthworks and the involvement of 23 companies. In the meantime, a temporary 600 m² building displayed18 cars in the World Champions’ exhibition, including Formula 1 machines.
Inauguration of the M24 Museum
The M24 – Museum of Motorsport will opens its doors to the public for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 120th anniversary of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. Dedicated to all motorsport disciplines, this heritage project unites the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Richard Mille in the MACO company whose ambition is to make the M24 a worldwide benchmark.
