Charles Guyard / Photo credit: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP 09:32, June 09, 2023

The 24 Hours of Le Mans are back and celebrate their centenary in this sporting weekend that promises to be busy. For the occasion, Europe 1 went to discover a family passionate about this mythical motor race. For almost 100 years, the latter has been going to the famous circuit every year and does not miss a crumb of the event.

The weekend promises to be busy on the sports planet. Roland-Garros and the Champions League final are not the only unmissable events. The famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race is also on the programme and is celebrating its centenary. More than 300,000 spectators are expected to attend this mythical race that fascinates all car enthusiasts. Among them, the Fleury family came from Chartes for the occasion. A true family tradition that has lasted for almost 100 years.

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The transmission of a family ritual

Since 1957, Daniel has not missed a 24 Hours of Le Mans. What for? For "noise, smells, cars..." he explained to the microphone of Europe 1. The passion was transmitted to him by his father, already a spectator in the 1930s. And the latter is uninterrupted. Even when this enthusiast got married, his future wife had to do it too. "When I married Françoise, there were Matras." Even on his wedding day, Daniel wanted vehicles from the French team.

The only thing to get into the family was to love the 24 Hours of Le Mans," said Françoise. By necessity, she adapted and finally took a liking to this tradition over time. The whole family shares the same passion since the children and grandchildren have taken over. For nearly a century, the Fleury family has been camping at the edge of the famous circuit every year. "It's like Christmas eventually, and then we eat well too," Daniel added.

Nicolas, the eldest son, is in charge of preparing meals. "Tonight, it's a cod back. Tomorrow it will be duck confit and on Sunday it is the traditional rice salad." Generation after generation, the Fleury family is one of the symbols of this centenary since it is also through the public that the 24 Hours of Le Mans live since 1923. The event has been sold out since December. Note that Ferrari marks its comeback this year after more than 50 years of absence. The number 50 Ferrari will start from pole position on Saturday morning.