The Ferrari 499P in the spotlight
Among the highlights of the year, AF Corse’s Ferrari 499P #51, victorious in the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was exhibited in the exact condition in which it crossed the finish line. Headlining the Hypercar category, it offered visitors a unique immersion in the raw emotion of the race. The fans were delighted to find this car which thrilled them during the memorable Centenary edition.
The exhibition Circuit 24, Story of a toy has, for its part, transported young and old into the playful world of childhood. This journey through time highlighted the famous Circuit 24 sets and their 1/30th scale cars, from the funds of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. A life-size reproduction of a Circuit 24 box, accompanied by a rail and two cars from the permanent collection, enhanced the scenography. A slot car circuit, faithfully recreating the route of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1980s, allowed visitors to relive the magic of miniature racing.
Alpine, the tricolor dream
The tribute to the Alpine brand, through the temporary exhibition Alpine, Tricolor Spirit, explored its historical links with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jean Rédélé, founder and pilot, the emblematic victories and cinematic appearances of the Alpine A210 and A220 captivated visitors. From the Alpine A442B, victorious in 1978, to the A210 piloted by ski champion Jean-Claude Killy, each theme underlined the innovative and tricolor spirit of the brand.
European Heritage Days were the opportunity to discover the H24EVO, an electric hydrogen prototype revealed during the last 24 Hours of Le Mans. This festive weekend offered varied activities: exploration behind the scenes of the museum’s restoration workshop, driving vintage cars such as the Bugatti Type 57 from 1938 or the Citroën 2CV 6 from 1983, as well as guided tours of the circuit. Visitors were able to measure their knowledge of Le Mans through quizzes specially designed for the event.
Workshop Wednesdays: immersion in the heart of heritage
Finally, 2024 saw the birth of an original initiative, Workshop Wednesdays. One Wednesday a month, visitors are invited to enter the museum workshop to discover an emblematic vehicle that has marked the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans or the 24 Heures Motos. Accompanied by experts from the ACO Culture and Heritage Department, and by the workshop manager, in 2025, they will be able to admire in detail models such as the Porsche 904 GTS or the Matra Simca 670 B, some even being refurbished. works for the occasion.
Learn more about Workshop Wednesdays.
Since December 14, the 24 Hours Museum has hosted the temporary exhibition “A Name for Eternity”, dedicated to McLaren’s heritage in motorsport. This exceptional retrospective highlights the innovative spirit and enduring influence of the British brand. Among the centerpieces, visitors can admire a collection of iconic cars, including all the McLaren F1 GTRs that took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, the year in which the brand triumphed by winning the general classification in its first participation. This exhibition celebrates not only McLaren’s past successes, but also its visionary impact on the evolution of motor racing.
Thanks to these varied initiatives and public enthusiasm, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum asserts itself more than ever as a living place, where heritage and modernity meet to celebrate the unique history of the greatest endurance race in the world.
