The north of France has always run hot for speed. On the karting side, Hauts-de-France packs a dense and surprisingly varied network: modern indoor tracks around Lille, FFSA-homologated outdoor circuits in the Pas-de-Calais and the Somme, and layouts built for racing in the Aisne. Whether you're after a first family session or a track to work on your lap time, here's where to put your helmet down in the region.
Around Lille: what the metro area offers
Lille Karting, in Ennetières-en-Weppes, plays with the big boys: a 600 m indoor track, a 900 m floodlit outdoor track, and a fleet of 130 petrol karts from 160 to 390 cc. Both tracks are FFSA-approved, so you can start out here or drive seriously, from age 7 and 1.30 m tall.
In Ostricourt, Racing Kart JPR banks on two separate layouts, an "FIA Racing" one and a "Leisure" one, with karts ranging from the kids' model (from age 4) up to the GT Max. The kind of place where a whole family finds its fun the same afternoon.
Fancy something different? ZOGA, in Hénin-Beaumont, offers an immersive race in electric karts on an augmented-reality track, closer to a life-sized video game than to pure lap-time chasing, from 1.45 m tall. And on grey days, Loisi Flandres, in Hazebrouck, keeps everyone dry under its big covered hall.
The Pas-de-Calais and the Côte d'Opale
On the coast, Opale Karting, in Berck, rolls out 603 m in the open air with 270 and 120 cc petrol Sodikarts. A nice touch: a Handikart with hand controls on the wheel, designed for drivers with reduced mobility, and a two-seater that takes kids along from age 4.
On the indoor side, KHUB Arras, in Sainte-Catherine, runs electric and goes far in welcoming the youngest: baby kart from age 2 with an adult, a driving school, and rounds of the SWS championship to step up a level. In Bruay-la-Buissière, Kart'Innov runs a 100% electric 350 m indoor track, open from 1.30 m tall.
For purists, the Karting Club Gravelinois, in Gravelines, is club spirit through and through: a 725 m asphalt track, AMB timing that lets you run real grands prix, and both leisure and racing licences. This is no longer Sunday leisure karting, it's karting that counts the tenths.
The Somme, the Oise and the Aisne: the southern tracks
The south of the region is less dense, but it hides some fine surfaces. Karting Haute Picardie, in Arvillers, lines up two FFSA-homologated outdoor circuits, 600 m and 1,300 m, with slow, medium and fast corners: a complete playground to improve.
In the Oise, Karting de Beauvais (RLS), in Rochy-Condé, offers 1,000 m of track and leans on the international SWS network for its rankings. Its closeness to the Île-de-France makes it a real alternative for Paris-region drivers who want a change of scenery. In Saint-Martin-au-Laërt, Planet Karting covers 500 m indoors with a Sodikart fleet, karts homologated for people with reduced mobility, and a dining area overlooking the track.
In the Aisne, Folembray Arena runs on an adjustable layout from 680 to 820 m in 4-stroke 390 cc Sodikarts (from age 14), on a site that also hosts car and motorbike days. And Maraikart, near Soissons, owns its top-level ambition: timed Grand Prix mode, endurance races, petrol karts up to 125 cc 2-stroke for experienced drivers. In Maubeuge, Loisi'sambre also keeps an indoor track warm on the Sambre side.
Indoor or outdoor: how to decide up north
Let's be honest: the north isn't the French Riviera. Rain is frequent, low temperatures slow down tyre warm-up, and a wet track here has to be earned. That's also what builds solid drivers, learning to manage grip the hard way forges a real feel for the kart.
In practice, indoor (Lille Karting, KHUB Arras, Kart'Innov, Planet Karting) guarantees you a session whatever the weather, ideal from October to March. Outdoor (Opale Karting, Haute Picardie, Beauvais) delivers the real sensations of speed as soon as the sky clears. To dig deeper, read our comparison of indoor versus outdoor and our tips for driving in the rain, especially useful in this region.
Driving as a family: from what age
Good news for parents: the region is very welcoming to children. KHUB Arras' baby kart starts from age 2 with an adult, the two-seaters at Opale Karting and Planet Karting take little ones along from age 4, and most tracks open the wheel solo around age 7 and 1.30 m tall. Before booking, check the minimum height: it's often that, more than age, that decides. Our guide to karting with children covers the preparation.
Racing, clubs and lap times
For those aiming for more than a warm-up lap, the region has plenty to offer. The FFSA-approved tracks at Lille Karting and Haute Picardie, the AMB timing at the Karting Club Gravelinois, the SWS rounds at KHUB Arras, Beauvais and Maraikart: competitive karting in Hauts-de-France is alive and well. If that's your goal, start by preparing for your first race and by understanding petrol and electric, because the choice of powertrain changes everything.
From the beaches of Berck to the indoor tracks of Lille, Hauts-de-France covers every driver profile. Find the full list of tracks in the region with opening hours, prices and contacts, or explore all the karting tracks on Kart-Map. And if you're starting with the neighbouring Île-de-France, take a look at our guide to karting in Île-de-France.
