Friday in town
Discussion
Me and 4 mates are heading to Le Mans and staying at tetra rouge.
It will be my 4th successive year with a couple of newbies.
Friday seems a bit of a minefield with what activities to do.
Did the GBW in 15 in my atom but weather was atrocious so was a bit of a drab experience, done a few bars at arnage a couple of times also which is entertaining.
Never experienced the whole mad Friday thing if I'm honest...? Especially how everyone explains it. Where is the main area for all the burnouts and "carry on". I feel it's something I need to see for myself and also a couple of younger guys with us will likely enjoy the experience
On the night we are going to head to the town centre and see the drivers parade as it's something I've missed out on and have booked into the legends cafe for 8pm... I'm hoping that's not a bad idea at that time?? What's the general atmosphere like in the town centre during the parade ??
It will be my 4th successive year with a couple of newbies.
Friday seems a bit of a minefield with what activities to do.
Did the GBW in 15 in my atom but weather was atrocious so was a bit of a drab experience, done a few bars at arnage a couple of times also which is entertaining.
Never experienced the whole mad Friday thing if I'm honest...? Especially how everyone explains it. Where is the main area for all the burnouts and "carry on". I feel it's something I need to see for myself and also a couple of younger guys with us will likely enjoy the experience
On the night we are going to head to the town centre and see the drivers parade as it's something I've missed out on and have booked into the legends cafe for 8pm... I'm hoping that's not a bad idea at that time?? What's the general atmosphere like in the town centre during the parade ??
From Tertre Rouge your best bet would be to head down the Mulsanne to the Chinese, we used to go down there every year about 10ish and leave when things started to get messy & dangerous from too many people / too much Stella. We'd then head down to the family village for a pizza, we haven't been down for a few years now though.
If you want to watch Homo idioticus lemanus in its natural habitat the roundabouts at the back of Houx are usually a good hunting ground from early evening onwards. If you are heading into town there's also a tram stop just round the corner.
I'd suggest the latter is much better than the former.
I'd suggest the latter is much better than the former.
Everyone does Le Mans differently so..........As mentioned above the main areas where the Mad Friday antics tend to take place is the Houx roundabout and along Houx Annexe campsite. Personally the 6 of us that go tend to watch this for a little while before heading into town. Everyone will have different opinions on the madness that is Le Mans on a Friday but i do think its got more and more out of control since we first started going in 2008 but it is something that has to be seen at the same time I guess - plus your close to the tram station if you intend to go into town.
Depending on how close or how much of the parade you want to see will determine when you need to get into town. Lots of bars will set tables up along the route (which changed route I think last year) and if you want to be alongside the parade you will need to get there early. But if you just want to see a bit of it and soak up the atmosphere then you can enjoy a few beers in the square and head along the route to see a bit more. One word of warning, if you end up on the outside of the parade route with no bar on side it can be really hard to get another drink as the parade goes on for quite a while to cross back over.
We personally end up watching from outside Cafe Berlin bar where there are a few bars along the same area. I think the atmosphere in town is brilliant while the parade is on but it does die down quite quickly once finished but that's an ideal time to go and get something to eat. Then the main square stays lively and is normally really busy with people + music and there are a few nightclubs/bars open till really late. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it but opposite the Le Mans Legends bar is an Austrailian(?) themed bar/nightclub which sheltered us so well from the rain that we had spent all evening/night/early morning in there
One word of warning, if you make it a big night I think the tram stops at 1:00 in the morning and there are no cabs to be found anywhere! Trust me the walk back to Le Mans circuit is very very very long!
We then spend the Saturday morning recovering ready to do it all again in the Guinness tent in the Le Mans Villege!
Depending on how close or how much of the parade you want to see will determine when you need to get into town. Lots of bars will set tables up along the route (which changed route I think last year) and if you want to be alongside the parade you will need to get there early. But if you just want to see a bit of it and soak up the atmosphere then you can enjoy a few beers in the square and head along the route to see a bit more. One word of warning, if you end up on the outside of the parade route with no bar on side it can be really hard to get another drink as the parade goes on for quite a while to cross back over.
We personally end up watching from outside Cafe Berlin bar where there are a few bars along the same area. I think the atmosphere in town is brilliant while the parade is on but it does die down quite quickly once finished but that's an ideal time to go and get something to eat. Then the main square stays lively and is normally really busy with people + music and there are a few nightclubs/bars open till really late. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it but opposite the Le Mans Legends bar is an Austrailian(?) themed bar/nightclub which sheltered us so well from the rain that we had spent all evening/night/early morning in there
One word of warning, if you make it a big night I think the tram stops at 1:00 in the morning and there are no cabs to be found anywhere! Trust me the walk back to Le Mans circuit is very very very long!
We then spend the Saturday morning recovering ready to do it all again in the Guinness tent in the Le Mans Villege!
kel176506 said:
Everyone does Le Mans differently so..........As mentioned above the main areas where the Mad Friday antics tend to take place is the Houx roundabout and along Houx Annexe campsite. Personally the 6 of us that go tend to watch this for a little while before heading into town. Everyone will have different opinions on the madness that is Le Mans on a Friday but i do think its got more and more out of control since we first started going in 2008 but it is something that has to be seen at the same time I guess - plus your close to the tram station if you intend to go into town.
Depending on how close or how much of the parade you want to see will determine when you need to get into town. Lots of bars will set tables up along the route (which changed route I think last year) and if you want to be alongside the parade you will need to get there early. But if you just want to see a bit of it and soak up the atmosphere then you can enjoy a few beers in the square and head along the route to see a bit more. One word of warning, if you end up on the outside of the parade route with no bar on side it can be really hard to get another drink as the parade goes on for quite a while to cross back over.
We personally end up watching from outside Cafe Berlin bar where there are a few bars along the same area. I think the atmosphere in town is brilliant while the parade is on but it does die down quite quickly once finished but that's an ideal time to go and get something to eat. Then the main square stays lively and is normally really busy with people + music and there are a few nightclubs/bars open till really late. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it but opposite the Le Mans Legends bar is an Austrailian(?) themed bar/nightclub which sheltered us so well from the rain that we had spent all evening/night/early morning in there
One word of warning, if you make it a big night I think the tram stops at 1:00 in the morning and there are no cabs to be found anywhere! Trust me the walk back to Le Mans circuit is very very very long!
We then spend the Saturday morning recovering ready to do it all again in the Guinness tent in the Le Mans Villege!
This!!Depending on how close or how much of the parade you want to see will determine when you need to get into town. Lots of bars will set tables up along the route (which changed route I think last year) and if you want to be alongside the parade you will need to get there early. But if you just want to see a bit of it and soak up the atmosphere then you can enjoy a few beers in the square and head along the route to see a bit more. One word of warning, if you end up on the outside of the parade route with no bar on side it can be really hard to get another drink as the parade goes on for quite a while to cross back over.
We personally end up watching from outside Cafe Berlin bar where there are a few bars along the same area. I think the atmosphere in town is brilliant while the parade is on but it does die down quite quickly once finished but that's an ideal time to go and get something to eat. Then the main square stays lively and is normally really busy with people + music and there are a few nightclubs/bars open till really late. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it but opposite the Le Mans Legends bar is an Austrailian(?) themed bar/nightclub which sheltered us so well from the rain that we had spent all evening/night/early morning in there
One word of warning, if you make it a big night I think the tram stops at 1:00 in the morning and there are no cabs to be found anywhere! Trust me the walk back to Le Mans circuit is very very very long!
We then spend the Saturday morning recovering ready to do it all again in the Guinness tent in the Le Mans Villege!
The parade is a cracking evening out. We normally watch the parade in the City Square for about 10 mins, then bugger off to one of the many restaurants for food and cold beers.
The goings on behind Houx used to be good fun, but now I am a little older, its just annoying and I try and keep clear of it all now!
Cabs are about to take you back to the circuit. You just havn`t found them. You`ll not get a cab in the street from Republique. Just walk back towards the circuit two or three tram stops. To Leclerc or even Gare and you will see a few cabs and cab offices Best thing is to do your homework before you leave blighty.
a.christie said:
Cabs are about to take you back to the circuit. You just havn`t found them. You`ll not get a cab in the street from Republique. Just walk back towards the circuit two or three tram stops.
Gutted to hear this!!!! My mates walked along the tram track route last year and saw no cabs at all! Although it did lead to the funniest moment of Le Mans 2016 when one drunken mate walked into a lamppost and while we were laughing so hard another mate walked straight into a road sign. Every cloud!Last year the trams were fine getting back to the circuit. We just had to wait an hour in a bar and have some food.
Alternatively walk down the hill and get a taxi from the train station. They will go there first to see if there is a pick up as I guess they would rather not pick up drunks from town!
Getting a taxi to pick up from the campsite is a no, they have never turned up for us. Plan something to do on the way to the tram stop for the walk.
Also bear in mind that the tram does go past Carrefor. You can hop off and get some last minute supplies and some walking beers for the walk back to site.
Alternatively walk down the hill and get a taxi from the train station. They will go there first to see if there is a pick up as I guess they would rather not pick up drunks from town!
Getting a taxi to pick up from the campsite is a no, they have never turned up for us. Plan something to do on the way to the tram stop for the walk.
Also bear in mind that the tram does go past Carrefor. You can hop off and get some last minute supplies and some walking beers for the walk back to site.
Thanks for all this Info.
The mad Friday shenanigans is one of huge divide. I personally have avoided it due to all the hate but have been to the cafes in Arnage and soaked up a bit of atmosphere on the 2 Fridays I've been and that has been quite conservative with the odd pleb going past the line ...
Have nothing against burnt outs and nice cars revving there nuts off just don't like to see idiots chucking pints (and worse) over cars and clambering all over them etc... if someone doesn't want to oblige just let them go through...
So if weather is decent i may venture down to it in the afternoon.
Tram is a no brainer from Tetra Rouge. Just need to weigh up what kind of time to head up to the town not sure how much is closed off etc
The mad Friday shenanigans is one of huge divide. I personally have avoided it due to all the hate but have been to the cafes in Arnage and soaked up a bit of atmosphere on the 2 Fridays I've been and that has been quite conservative with the odd pleb going past the line ...
Have nothing against burnt outs and nice cars revving there nuts off just don't like to see idiots chucking pints (and worse) over cars and clambering all over them etc... if someone doesn't want to oblige just let them go through...
So if weather is decent i may venture down to it in the afternoon.
Tram is a no brainer from Tetra Rouge. Just need to weigh up what kind of time to head up to the town not sure how much is closed off etc
GBW was better in 2016 than 2015 - not just weather but traffic management getting out improved. And the PH Friday Service parking too!
We usually do that 10-12noon ish, something else in the afternoon (pit lane walk / a few of us went to the Mulsanne gathering) then into town around 3-4pm for the parade.
We usually do that 10-12noon ish, something else in the afternoon (pit lane walk / a few of us went to the Mulsanne gathering) then into town around 3-4pm for the parade.
eastsider said:
GBW was better in 2016 than 2015 - not just weather but traffic management getting out improved. And the PH Friday Service parking too!
We usually do that 10-12noon ish, something else in the afternoon (pit lane walk / a few of us went to the Mulsanne gathering) then into town around 3-4pm for the parade.
Yeah the traffic in 15 was horrendous getting out, even more joyful when in an Atom !We usually do that 10-12noon ish, something else in the afternoon (pit lane walk / a few of us went to the Mulsanne gathering) then into town around 3-4pm for the parade.
What time of day is the crazy mad Friday shenanigans is it a case of the longer the day gets the worse it gets? I still feel like i need to see it for myself. Is it walkable from tetra rouge?
likesachange said:
What time of day is the crazy mad Friday shenanigans is it a case of the longer the day gets the worse it gets? I still feel like i need to see it for myself. Is it walkable from tetra rouge?
Yes, take the pedestrian tunnel under the track at the Tertre Rouge bend and turn right. Follow the access road and leave the GE zone at the vehicle entrance to Parc Vert. Turn right and follow your ears. 10mins walk from the tunnel. Personally I think it gets ridiculous as the alcohol gets absorbed. I am surprized no-one has been seriously injured. Have a look, have a laugh, then leave!
MadMacMcMad said:
Personally I think it gets ridiculous as the alcohol gets absorbed. I am surprized no-one has been seriously injured. Have a look, have a laugh, then leave!
Exactly, it seems to start getting 'crazy' mid-afternoon and goes on into the evening if you really want. Be mindful if you are out and about driving that it can cause traffic chaos with cars getting stopped and backing up outside Porsche Curves, Houx etc. Another reason why we get out and about in car early then on foot later and towards tram/town.Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff