A semi-permanent circuit on Île Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River. Named after the legendary Canadian driver, it features the infamous Wall of Champions at the final chicane that has caught out many greats.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a permanent racing circuit, located in Montreal, Quebec. Drivers cover 4.361 km (2.71 miles) and 14 corners each lap, run clockwise. Among its named corners are L'Épingle and Wall of Champions.
The circuit opened in 1978 and holds FIA Grade 1 licensing. It appears on the Formula 1 calendar. Around 100,000 spectators can attend.
The circuit runs on Île Notre-Dame, an artificial island built in the St Lawrence for Expo 67. When Montreal took over Canada's Grand Prix in 1978 the layout was drawn using the roads already there, which is why it has the shape it does — long straights joined by tight chicanes, hemmed in by water on both sides.
The first race could hardly have gone better for the host nation. Gilles Villeneuve won it in front of a crowd that included Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It was called the Île Notre-Dame Circuit until 1982, when Villeneuve was killed in qualifying at Zolder and Montreal renamed the track after him. The wall on the exit of the final chicane carries a painted greeting to departing drivers and has claimed enough of them to be known as the Wall of Champions.
6 curated properties, sorted by distance from the circuit
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Boutique Hotel · 7.6 km from circuit · 20 min drive · 4.6 (1,875) on Google · $$$$
421 Rue Saint-Vincent, Montreal, QC H2Y 3A6, Canada
Old Montreal boutique with a rooftop terrace overlooking the port, close to the Circuit island. The drive to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve takes about 20 minutes (4.7 miles). Facilities include spa and restaurant.
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 7.6 km from circuit · 17 min drive · 4.4 (3,762) on Google
1050 Rue De la Gauchetière O, Montréal, QC H3B 4C9, Canada
Polished lodging with a French restaurant & a bar, plus a fitness center. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 7.7 km from circuit · 17 min drive · 4.4 (6,668) on Google
900 Boul. René-Lévesque Ouest, Montréal, QC H3B 4A5, Canada
Refined lodging with a sophisticated bistro, plus an indoor pool & a chic cocktail lounge. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 7.9 km from circuit · 18 min drive · 4.2 (4,825) on Google
900 Rue De la Gauchetière O, Montréal, QC H5A 1E4, Canada
Modern hotel with a heated rooftop pool & a fitness centre, plus a polished restaurant & a bar. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 8.0 km from circuit · 18 min drive · 4.4 (5,124) on Google
1201 Boul. René-Lévesque Ouest, Montréal, QC H3B 2L7, Canada
Casual rooms & suites in an upscale hotel with a chic bar, plus an indoor pool & a sauna. — via Google
Check pricesHotel websiteHotel · 9.0 km from circuit · 22 min drive · 4.6 (2,609) on Google · $$$$$
1228 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H3G 1H6, Canada
Montreal's grand dame hotel on the Golden Square Mile, the ultimate Canadian Grand Prix luxury stay. The drive to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve takes about 22 minutes (5.6 miles). Facilities include spa, pool, and garden.
Check pricesHotel websiteNearest Airport: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) — approximately 26 km from the circuit
Jean-Drapeau station on the Yellow Line is a five-minute walk from the circuit and one stop from Berri-UQAM downtown, about three minutes. The 777 bus also runs from the metro to the track. Public transport is comfortably the easiest way in, as Ile Notre-Dame has very limited parking.
Visiting Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for a race weekend? Here are essential tips to make the most of your trip to Montreal, Quebec. The circuit holds up to 100,000 spectators, so plan for large crowds on race day.
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is in Montreal, Quebec. The nearest airport, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), is about 26 km from the circuit.
6 properties are listed near Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the closest 7.6 km from the circuit. Each one is listed with its measured distance from the circuit, and every entry links to the property's own site.