It was founded in 1961 as the Automobile Museum de la Sarthe.

In 1991, it was taken over by the organizers of the 24 hours road race and moved to a purpose-built museum complex under the direction of Francis Piquera, the Executive Manager.

Its permanent exhibition includes over 100 historic cars, many collectibles, dozens of films and archive photographs.

The museum tour is organized around six major sequences that showcase the important figures of the 24 Hour race and origins of the Le Mans automotive industry, tracing the evolution of the car in the twentieth century.

A visit of the famous circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race is possible.