Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Opens to F1 Fans
The iconic racetrack hosts its annual open house Thursday morning before Canadian Grand Prix festivities begin.
F1 fans hoping to experience Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before the Canadian Grand Prix officially kicks off can walk the iconic track Thursday morning. The annual open house at Île Notre-Dame runs from 9 to 11 a.m., offering race enthusiasts a rare chance to explore the grounds ahead of Friday's main event.
Lines typically form hours before the gates open — people camp out for the experience of stepping onto one of the world's most storied street circuits. Entry is easy: head to Espace 67, just outside the Parc Jean-Drapeau metro station.
Once inside, fans get an up-close look at the track itself, the paddock area, and the infrastructure that transforms Île Notre-Dame into a Grand Prix venue once a year. It's a smaller, quieter version of race weekend energy — a chance to get a feel for the circuit without the roar of engines and the chaos of a packed crowd.
This year, with the Grand Prix hitting its stride Friday evening with practice sessions, the open house serves as the perfect warm-up. Arrive early, bring a camera, and expect the kind of foot traffic that comes with F1 mania hitting the city.