The many activities of the French MotoGP Grand Prix

This week, the French Grand Prix MotoGP is back at Le Mans. From Thursday to Sunday, the Bugatti circuit opens its doors to MotoGP for the 39th time, for the fifth round of its season. On the track, in addition to MotoGP, numerous other categories will be featured. The traditional Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships will, as usual, accompany the premier class, but that's not all. At Le Mans, the Red Bull Rookies Cup will contest the second round of its season, and two Frenchmen will defend their colours on home soil: David Da Costa and Guillem Planques.

The first driver arrives with the ambition of confirming his strong start to the season at Jerez (Spain). Starting third on the grid, Da Costa secured a fine sixth place in Race 2, less than three-tenths of a second behind the winner. A podium finish seems well within his grasp at Le Mans, where he can count on the support of the home crowd.

Entertainment all weekend

Off the track, a wide range of activities will be offered to keep spectators entertained between sessions. Several areas will remain open from Thursday to Sunday. The trade villages will bring together more than 80 exhibitors specializing in motorcycles, including merchandise, equipment, and accessories. The exhibition We want leather, installed at Garden No. 1 in the main village, will present more than 70 pilot suits, marked by racing, time and emotions.

The Wall of Death is offered from Thursday to Saturday, featuring motorcycle stunts, music, and spectacular staging. Finally, the funfair remains open for all four days with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and swing rides.

A raffle is also being held to benefit the young French riders of the JEG team. For 10 euros, spectators can try to win a prize pack worth over 10,000 euros, including a limited edition Yamaha MT-07 GP de France, and 100% of the funds raised will go towards supporting the young riders.

The Le Mans circuit map

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MotoGP 2026 – French GP 

The festival program

Thursday May 7: 

The French Grand Prix is ​​one of the rare events on the calendar where the action kicks off on Thursday! Indeed, 24 hours before the first laps of the motorcycles on the track, the tone will be set with a first day that is already quite fast-paced.

The MotoGP Cycling Challenge will kick off the festivities at 12:30 PM. As in 2025, MotoGP riders will swap their motorcycles for bicycles to compete against the clock around the Bugatti circuit. Later in the day, at 16:15 PM, the pit lane will be open to the public. The day will conclude with Canal+'s 'En Pole' program, scheduled for 19:00 PM, which will welcome riders and other guests to the pit straight.

MotoGP Cycling challenge: 12:30
Pit lane tour: 16:15
Pole Position Program: 19:00

Friday May 8: 

On Friday, the Fan Zone will come alive from early afternoon with all kinds of activities. The atmosphere is designed as a friendly meeting point, with appearances by guests – including the drivers – for a special opportunity to chat after the practice session.

On Friday evening, the music scene will light up from 21pm with ENGINE, a group born on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bol d'Or, then with The Stones, a tribute band, a group paying homage to the Rolling Stones.

Activities in the Fan Zone: From 14 hours
Meeting with the pilots: 16:35
Gigs: 21:00

Saturday May 9: 

In addition to Qualifying and the Sprint, which will award the first points of the weekend, Saturday will also be packed with activities. In the afternoon, the Fan Zone will reopen, while drivers and other guests will take turns on stage from 15:30 pm.

In the evening, the pit straight will host the traditional mechanical show, which has become one of the weekend's highlights over the years. Spectators will be treated to a stunt show featuring stars of the discipline such as Sarah Lezito and Romain Jeandrot, as well as a freestyle show led by Luc Ackermann and his team. At 21 p.m., The Celtic Social Club, a Franco-Irish band that blends Celtic music, rock, folk, reggae, and punk, will take the stage.

Hero Walk (Moto2 and Moto3): 11:45
Activities in the Fan Zone: From 15 hours
Meeting with the pilots: 17:05
Mechanical show: 19:30
Concert: 21:30

Sunday May 10: 

Finally, before the highly anticipated start of the French GP, scheduled for 14:00 PM, the drivers' parade will be organized around the Bugatti Circuit from 10:00 AM, just after the Warm Up.

Pilots' parade: 10:00
Hero Walk MotoGP: 10:20

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