The M24, formerly the Musée des 24 Heures du Mans, has reopened as a transformed 8,600-square-meter museum dedicated to motorsport history. Featuring legendary race cars like the Tracta Gephi (1928) and the Porsche 917 LH (1971), the museum includes human-scale dioramas, historical walks, and artistic homages with abstract murals reminiscent of Pierre Soulages. The renovation was led by local architect Frédéric Audevard, who redesigned the original 1960s building and added a new extension with subtle references to car aerodynamics. The immersive scenography was created by Raphaël Daguet of The Immersers, aiming to evoke emotional and historical capsules around racing culture. The museum opened just weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, scheduled for June 10–14, 2026.
This reopening matters because it repositions a niche motorsport museum as a major cultural destination, blending automotive heritage with contemporary museum design and visual art. By treating race cars as artworks and emphasizing theatrical storytelling, the M24 challenges traditional boundaries between art, design, and sport. Its timing—aligned with one of the world's most famous endurance races—ensures high visibility and could attract new audiences to both motorsport and museum-going. The project also highlights the role of regional actors and specialized design firms in revitalizing cultural institutions outside major art capitals.