Rouen-Les-Essarts was a 5.543km (03.444miles) motor racing circuit in Orival, near Rouen, France.
From its opening in 1950, Rouen-Les-Essarts was recognized as one of Europe's finest circuits, with modern pits, a wide track, and spectator grandstands. The street circuit (which ran on public roads) had a few medium straights, a cobbled hairpin turn (Nouveau Monde) at the southernmost tip, and a few blind corners through a wooded hillside The appeal was greatly enhanced by the climb from Nouveau Monde at to Gresil at, with gradients over 9%.
Rouen hosted five Formula One French Grand Prix races, the last one in 1968 resulting in the tragic burning death of Jo Schlesser, at the fast downhill Six Frères curve. The circuit continued to host major Formula 2 events until 1978, after which it was used for various French Championships.
The circuit had a number of different configurations. From its construction in 1950 until 1954 it was 5.1km (03.2miles) in length. In 1955 major works increased the circuit's length to 6.542km (04.065miles), its most famous configuration. Construction of a new Autoroute across the circuit saw a new section of track built and the length of the circuit reduced to 5.543km (03.444miles). Finally, in 1974 a permanent chicane was built at Six Frères and this part of the circuit was renamed Des Roches.
The circuit was closed down in 1994 due to economic and safety reasons, since it is very hard to organize a race on public roads if modern safety standards are to be met. In 1999, following the circuit's closure all evidence of area's racing past was demolished, including grandstands, pits, Armco and track signs. The cobbled Nouveau Monde hairpin was also asphalted but it is still possible to drive around on the original circuit configuration.
The name "Les Essarts" comes from a village, which was included into the commune of Grand-Couronne in 1874.
The fastest official race lap records at the Rouen-Les-Essarts are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event | Circuit Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit: 5.543 km (1972–1994)[1] | |||||
| 1:46.310[2] | |||||
| 1:47.540[3] | 1972 1000 km of Paris | ||||
| 1:50.470[4] | 1993 Rouen French F3 round | ||||
| 2:01.930[5] | 1991 Rouen French Formula Renault round | ||||
| Grand Prix Circuit: 6.542 km (1955–1971) | |||||
| 2:00.800[6] | |||||
| 2:11.400 | 1964 French Grand Prix | ||||
| 2:18.300[7] | 1969 Rouen French F3 round | ||||
| 2:25.400[8] | 1963 Rouen French Formula Junior round | ||||
| 2:28.500[9] | 1959 Rouen Grand Prix | ||||
| Grand Prix Circuit: 5.100 km (1950–1954) | |||||
| 2:09.900[10] | |||||
| 2:12.800[11] | 1953 Rouen Grand Prix | ||||
| 2:18.300 | 1953 French motorcycle Grand Prix | ||||
| 2:22.900 | 1953 French motorcycle Grand Prix | ||||
| 2:34.100 | 1953 French motorcycle Grand Prix | ||||
| 2:36.500[12] | 1950 Rouen Grand Prix | ||||