Le Mans - I'm over it now!
Discussion
After 6 visits (every other year since 2006) I think that's it for me.
I think Le Mans means different things to different people and for me it was about driving down in something interesting, watching some of the racing and having a few beers/BBQ. I've sort of got to the point where there is becoming too much crap to contend with......
1) Searching cars at the campsite for something! What is that all about? Do they really expect us to camp in a crappy field for four days and drink diet Coke. I managed to confuse the security and get him to check the rear hatch on my Cayman only so he didn't see the 50 cans in the front, but at what point will the ACO finally say 'non' and actually take all drink and finally kill the event for good?
2) Weather/travel. Houx was like a bog in many places. Set up camp in the rain and dismantled in the rain. Not anyone's fault I know, but just a fact. The drive back was horrendous with poor visibility and long delays at the Rouen tunnel where the 3 workers appeared to be doing nothing apart from causing a 5 mile traffic jam!
3) Issues at port(s). Over an hour queue at Dover at 5.45am, due to French passport control taking the pi** (in the words of the P&O check-in lady). Major issues at Calais, with lumps of bricks and concrete being thrown at our car and 2 other Porkers in front by the frendly migrants who I'd love to welcome in to the UK! I felt sorry for the guy in the black Corvette that got hit with a lump of concrete in the rear quarter panel.
Le Mans for me has never been about going down in a van in a big group of lads and I suspect those that do will still continue for as long as the alcohol is able to get through, but it's sort of becoming a bit too much like hard work and although all the French staff seem very friendly I do wonder if the ACO or French authorities really want us there or understand what the event really means for the Brits, Dutch, Danes and many other people who visit more on a social basis that just to see a motorsport event!
I think Le Mans means different things to different people and for me it was about driving down in something interesting, watching some of the racing and having a few beers/BBQ. I've sort of got to the point where there is becoming too much crap to contend with......
1) Searching cars at the campsite for something! What is that all about? Do they really expect us to camp in a crappy field for four days and drink diet Coke. I managed to confuse the security and get him to check the rear hatch on my Cayman only so he didn't see the 50 cans in the front, but at what point will the ACO finally say 'non' and actually take all drink and finally kill the event for good?
2) Weather/travel. Houx was like a bog in many places. Set up camp in the rain and dismantled in the rain. Not anyone's fault I know, but just a fact. The drive back was horrendous with poor visibility and long delays at the Rouen tunnel where the 3 workers appeared to be doing nothing apart from causing a 5 mile traffic jam!
3) Issues at port(s). Over an hour queue at Dover at 5.45am, due to French passport control taking the pi** (in the words of the P&O check-in lady). Major issues at Calais, with lumps of bricks and concrete being thrown at our car and 2 other Porkers in front by the frendly migrants who I'd love to welcome in to the UK! I felt sorry for the guy in the black Corvette that got hit with a lump of concrete in the rear quarter panel.
Le Mans for me has never been about going down in a van in a big group of lads and I suspect those that do will still continue for as long as the alcohol is able to get through, but it's sort of becoming a bit too much like hard work and although all the French staff seem very friendly I do wonder if the ACO or French authorities really want us there or understand what the event really means for the Brits, Dutch, Danes and many other people who visit more on a social basis that just to see a motorsport event!
Know what you mean but I will still go. Whats needed is a quiet campsite for people who still want to sit up until 3am chatting/drinking etc but don't want the Corsa Brigade revving their engines to stimulate their one and only brain cell, Germans blasting out Techno music, or dick-heads on quads splashing through puddles while pissed on cheap French watery beer. The weather is a lottery as is the Eurotunnel and Ferry. We first went in 2005 and it was different then and better but things change. I understand that Airtrack is good albeit expensive. Location is so important on the campsites. We also stayed in the HOUX but were on a non-numbered pitch out of the way and our group are really fantastic people. Perhaps you can find a location to stay outside the circuit maybe a 15 minute drive in ? You can avoid the knuckle dragging chavs if you know where to go. Most of them would be different people if mummy was there keeping and eye on them ! Don't give it up on an impulsive reaction, do some research and find a way to go there next year.
We had a similar experience with the travel...
16 hours from Kent - Campsite due to a 3-hour delay at Dover, followed by 5.5hr delay getting in to Le Mans.
On the other hand, we had a brilliant experience camping at the Porsche Curves with Travel Destinations... it was exactly as you describe - blokes staying up chatting with a few beers and a bbq.
They also had a good main-tent set up with two TVs showing the Eurosport coverage and also the rugby on saturday morning. There was some live music and they had a bar/food available. All-in-all, quite a nice experience.
16 hours from Kent - Campsite due to a 3-hour delay at Dover, followed by 5.5hr delay getting in to Le Mans.
On the other hand, we had a brilliant experience camping at the Porsche Curves with Travel Destinations... it was exactly as you describe - blokes staying up chatting with a few beers and a bbq.
They also had a good main-tent set up with two TVs showing the Eurosport coverage and also the rugby on saturday morning. There was some live music and they had a bar/food available. All-in-all, quite a nice experience.
We have stayed in Houx every time we have been and never had any major issues. We had great people around us this year, unlike 2014 when the pot smoking di**heads behind us insisted on playing loud music until 5.00am and seemed to quote 'The Le Mans spirit' quite a lot which seemed to cover everything they wanted to do and nothing that others might want out of the experience.
I think this year there was a 'perfect storm' of issues to contend with, some man made and others not, but I do genuinely fear for the event and wonder if the ACO envisage a more sanitised event in the not so distant future. I could be wrong (I hope I am)
We are off to Spa next year, so I'll be interested to see any feedback regarding possible booze confiscating issues and general problems, before considering booking in the future.
Either way I'm now planning to avoid Calais where other options exist!
I think this year there was a 'perfect storm' of issues to contend with, some man made and others not, but I do genuinely fear for the event and wonder if the ACO envisage a more sanitised event in the not so distant future. I could be wrong (I hope I am)
We are off to Spa next year, so I'll be interested to see any feedback regarding possible booze confiscating issues and general problems, before considering booking in the future.
Either way I'm now planning to avoid Calais where other options exist!
Calais ports and Eurotunnel are off my list for the foreseeable future 
Dreadful. Weather this year was horrid, used to be pretty good in general with the odd storm but weather seems to be getting worse Climate change?
So exactly what happens to these people that cause damage to cars? Did the Rozzers arrest them or just let them run riot?
Dreadful. Weather this year was horrid, used to be pretty good in general with the odd storm but weather seems to be getting worse
Climate change?So exactly what happens to these people that cause damage to cars? Did the Rozzers arrest them or just let them run riot?
Yes, c'mon, cheer up!
I've just done trip #7 and have crossed over each way for variety over the years.
Personally, I now only use a Portsmouth route, the fast-ferry is the best but a bit more pricey. No hassle at Cherbourg or Caen and an easy drive down coming in to the West of Le Mans. I've only ever used the TL site (found it by accident) but as a general rule, it's exactly the kind of place you sound like you need. Plenty of chatter, the odd bit of disco/karaoke but overall, no hassle at all.
The weather affects us all but I left site on Monday at 10am, after a monsoon style drive had lunch on the coast then easily made the 5pm ferry (arriving post shopping at 4.30!), unloaded at Portsmouth by 7.15pm local time. Tent now up in the garage drying.
All done for another year and although when I get home I always say that's enough, I bet come December I'll be booking again!
I've just done trip #7 and have crossed over each way for variety over the years.
Personally, I now only use a Portsmouth route, the fast-ferry is the best but a bit more pricey. No hassle at Cherbourg or Caen and an easy drive down coming in to the West of Le Mans. I've only ever used the TL site (found it by accident) but as a general rule, it's exactly the kind of place you sound like you need. Plenty of chatter, the odd bit of disco/karaoke but overall, no hassle at all.
The weather affects us all but I left site on Monday at 10am, after a monsoon style drive had lunch on the coast then easily made the 5pm ferry (arriving post shopping at 4.30!), unloaded at Portsmouth by 7.15pm local time. Tent now up in the garage drying.
All done for another year and although when I get home I always say that's enough, I bet come December I'll be booking again!
First time for me but I went with a chap who's been going for 5 years now and has it down to a tee.
We did Portsmouth-Caen and it was perfect. 22.45 crossing on Monday 13th, 2 cabins for 6 of us so we could get our heads down for a bit, then a leisurely run to Le Mans via a nice services about an hour in.
No trouble at the Tetre Rouge campsite until the last night when our Kentish neighbours decided to have a drink-fuelled fight and then leave their mess behind first thing Monday morning. Weather, as others have said, was a bit of a downer but them's the breaks.
We were away by 9.30 on the 20th and took a leisurely run back, via the same services, dropped into Ryes War Cemetery, had lunch in Arramanche, and then, after a swift half by the port, boarded the ferry home. Back in Taunton just after 1am.
I must admit, now I know how close the circuit is the to the centre of Le Mans and how easy that tram is, I could be tempted by a hotel. Plus Mrs T has said she doesn't want me away for over a week again which could be a nightmare if I want a decent pitch. But the final costs have ended up so cheap I'm not sure I could justify what would presumably be a much more expensive option.
Chin up OP, I bet you'll be there again. If you're going every other year then you have to be there in 2018 as I'm planning to include it in my 40th birthday celebrations! ;-)
We did Portsmouth-Caen and it was perfect. 22.45 crossing on Monday 13th, 2 cabins for 6 of us so we could get our heads down for a bit, then a leisurely run to Le Mans via a nice services about an hour in.
No trouble at the Tetre Rouge campsite until the last night when our Kentish neighbours decided to have a drink-fuelled fight and then leave their mess behind first thing Monday morning. Weather, as others have said, was a bit of a downer but them's the breaks.
We were away by 9.30 on the 20th and took a leisurely run back, via the same services, dropped into Ryes War Cemetery, had lunch in Arramanche, and then, after a swift half by the port, boarded the ferry home. Back in Taunton just after 1am.
I must admit, now I know how close the circuit is the to the centre of Le Mans and how easy that tram is, I could be tempted by a hotel. Plus Mrs T has said she doesn't want me away for over a week again which could be a nightmare if I want a decent pitch. But the final costs have ended up so cheap I'm not sure I could justify what would presumably be a much more expensive option.
Chin up OP, I bet you'll be there again. If you're going every other year then you have to be there in 2018 as I'm planning to include it in my 40th birthday celebrations! ;-)
Somehow I managed to get into France OK on Tuesday. Getting up at stupid o'clock and getting an early ferry to DUNKIRK seemed to bypass all the rigmarole at Calais. As for the weather YUCK YUCK YUCK. I think I was driving a blue submarine, I can remember having the top down a few times but it was nowhere near what it was last year which was top down all the time except when unbearably scorchio to make use of the a/c.
My secret off site campsite (half an hour's drive from Parking Rouge at 1515 on Sunday!!!) was just about swamp free but getting busier; a couple of pitches in the corner were under six inches of water and one or two motorhomes got bogged. The en-route one on the way out was as delightful as I remember it two years ago but the one I used to break the journey on the way back was a swamp and I don't think I'll be back there.
My secret off site campsite (half an hour's drive from Parking Rouge at 1515 on Sunday!!!) was just about swamp free but getting busier; a couple of pitches in the corner were under six inches of water and one or two motorhomes got bogged. The en-route one on the way out was as delightful as I remember it two years ago but the one I used to break the journey on the way back was a swamp and I don't think I'll be back there.
I left home at 4am Wednesday morning heading to Dover via Basingstoke to pickup a friend.We had a 30 min customs queue for the 12.05 ferry and no other problems. Got down to Bleu Nord for 8pm, the guy on the gate just asked if we knew where to and we drove straight through, go car searches, the same after the Super-U visit Thursday morning, no car searches.
We left after the race, stopped off at the services just before Rouen for a bite to eat then on to Calais. No queues, or stone throwing, in fact we were put on an earlier ferry (just missed an earlier one by 5 mins), back home at 5.30am after dragging the trailer tent on a 1200 mile round trip.
We left after the race, stopped off at the services just before Rouen for a bite to eat then on to Calais. No queues, or stone throwing, in fact we were put on an earlier ferry (just missed an earlier one by 5 mins), back home at 5.30am after dragging the trailer tent on a 1200 mile round trip.
C70R said:
So you're essentially having a strop because the weather was bad and you queued for the ferry?
A different route (Dunkirk if you're on a budget) and an off-circuit campsite would cure 99% of the sand in your crevice.
I think you are missing the point slightly......the issues at Calais were unpleasant at best.A different route (Dunkirk if you're on a budget) and an off-circuit campsite would cure 99% of the sand in your crevice.
Houx in itself is fine. That's not my issue. I was merely pointing out that 'for me' maybe the benefits/enjoyement are starting to get outweighed by the hassles.
Each to his own and as I said in my original post, many people will continue to get enough from the experience to justify going, at least as long as the no booze rule is not enforced with any degree of consistency!
Clearly things can be different year to year. I went twice some years ago and had a great time, brill weather, no noisy thoughtless neighbours.
Then I went again, withe the wife for the first time and it pissed down all weekend, car stuck in the mud, traffic queues and a group that had a massive PA system blasting out dance music for 3 days non stop.
After a few years doff as I too had 'had enough' this year was great. Good crossing over, no traffic, nice reasonably quiet campsite right in the centre of things, weather good (I arrived Fri eve) brill race,
My car wasn't searched and I drove in and out of the circuit 3 times. Bag searches entering the circuit were pointless as all the did was 'feel' the bag.
Trip home, a little delayed due to security but otherwise ok.
The searching and delays at borders are due to the high levels of security in France generally die to the terrorist attacks. Added to that the football is also on so I think additional hassle at the borders was to be expected.
My feeling after this year is my faith in the event is restored and I hope to go back again next year!
Then I went again, withe the wife for the first time and it pissed down all weekend, car stuck in the mud, traffic queues and a group that had a massive PA system blasting out dance music for 3 days non stop.
After a few years doff as I too had 'had enough' this year was great. Good crossing over, no traffic, nice reasonably quiet campsite right in the centre of things, weather good (I arrived Fri eve) brill race,
My car wasn't searched and I drove in and out of the circuit 3 times. Bag searches entering the circuit were pointless as all the did was 'feel' the bag.
Trip home, a little delayed due to security but otherwise ok.
The searching and delays at borders are due to the high levels of security in France generally die to the terrorist attacks. Added to that the football is also on so I think additional hassle at the borders was to be expected.
My feeling after this year is my faith in the event is restored and I hope to go back again next year!
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