PH Guide to Le Mans
Archive #5565708
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French motorways are probably the quickest way to get there but are the most boring. Arrow straight and lined with high barriers, the only bits of French countryside you get to see from them are hills.
Many people prefer the older, less direct, but more scenic routes. It depends on whether you want to see some French villages and stop for some food at a cafe or if le crisps will suffice from a motorway pertol station.
Speeding and how it's dealt with by the French...
Very Harshly. Following the Gumball debacle, the Gendarmes aren't going to be kind to Brit registered cars with stickers on and will be out in force.
Of course the simple answer would be don't speed. However, faced with an accelerator pedal beneath your right foot and miles of straight, clear French motorway in front of you it's much harder to ignore the devil on your shoulder.
Firstly the speed limit. On Autoroutes, the speed limit is 130kmh (or 81mph) so you'd be making progress about as quickly as you would on British motorways. However, that limit drops to 110kmh if the weather is poor (ie. raining/misty) and around junctions.
I have been told (though I don't know how true it is - this is actually an urban myth - fact) that they can time you between Peages (toll booths) - French motorways don't work like the M6 toll road. There is a way to get around this however. Peages usually have mini car parks on the way out or on the way in, or both. If you're planning to clog it (not that I implore you to) then simply pull over into the car park after the Peage and watch all the nice motor cars accelerate away for half an hour. Your time between Peages will increase as a result. Similarly, if you've managed to speed and not get caught, simply stop before the Peage for a much needed fag/drink/pee and wait for your average speed to come down. Please take note that going by last year's standards, you'll be one of many.
The fact this myth arose is because all the coppers hang out by the Peages - they either pull you over there, or clock you on the approach where the speed limit ramps down.
The speed limit through towns is 50kmh and the advice is to stick to them. The French police love nothing more than catching some 'Rosbifs' breaking the speed limit in towns and relieving you of lots of spondoolies (standard is a 90 Euro fine), covering you in mayonnaise and rogering you with a blue baguette. Quite simply, get caught speeding in the town and you're buggered.
The fines for speeding vary depending on what you're caught doing but they are heavy. Speed excessively and expect to have your licence taken off you, too. The Entente Cordiale is not what it once was, it seems...
Fortunately the French public dislike this excessive clampdown on speed almost as much as we do and the nicer locals will flash their lights as a warning that you're about to stumble across an angry frog in a bush as it were. However, don't assume that this is normal procedure - always bear in mind that for the majority of the time you won't be warned about impending doom but it is worth checking the oncoming carriageway for flashing headlights.
Guide to Speeding Fines:
Speeding by more than 20 km/h - 50 km/h over the limit(12 mph - 31 mph)
Fine : 90 euros minimum, 750 euros maximum.
Speeding by more than 50 km/h (31 mph)
Fine : 1500 euros
Possible Vehicle Impound and Ban from onward driving.
Second offence speeding by more than 50 km/h (31 mph)
Jail : 3 months
Fine : 3750 euros
Usually Find a good majority of the TVRCC guys in there.
...?
Getting There
Routes, where to stay, where to avoid...?French motorways are probably the quickest way to get there but are the most boring. Arrow straight and lined with high barriers, the only bits of French countryside you get to see from them are hills.
Many people prefer the older, less direct, but more scenic routes. It depends on whether you want to see some French villages and stop for some food at a cafe or if le crisps will suffice from a motorway pertol station.
Speeding and how it's dealt with by the French...
Very Harshly. Following the Gumball debacle, the Gendarmes aren't going to be kind to Brit registered cars with stickers on and will be out in force.
Of course the simple answer would be don't speed. However, faced with an accelerator pedal beneath your right foot and miles of straight, clear French motorway in front of you it's much harder to ignore the devil on your shoulder.
Firstly the speed limit. On Autoroutes, the speed limit is 130kmh (or 81mph) so you'd be making progress about as quickly as you would on British motorways. However, that limit drops to 110kmh if the weather is poor (ie. raining/misty) and around junctions.
I have been told (though I don't know how true it is - this is actually an urban myth - fact) that they can time you between Peages (toll booths) - French motorways don't work like the M6 toll road. There is a way to get around this however. Peages usually have mini car parks on the way out or on the way in, or both. If you're planning to clog it (not that I implore you to) then simply pull over into the car park after the Peage and watch all the nice motor cars accelerate away for half an hour. Your time between Peages will increase as a result. Similarly, if you've managed to speed and not get caught, simply stop before the Peage for a much needed fag/drink/pee and wait for your average speed to come down. Please take note that going by last year's standards, you'll be one of many.
The fact this myth arose is because all the coppers hang out by the Peages - they either pull you over there, or clock you on the approach where the speed limit ramps down.
The speed limit through towns is 50kmh and the advice is to stick to them. The French police love nothing more than catching some 'Rosbifs' breaking the speed limit in towns and relieving you of lots of spondoolies (standard is a 90 Euro fine), covering you in mayonnaise and rogering you with a blue baguette. Quite simply, get caught speeding in the town and you're buggered.
The fines for speeding vary depending on what you're caught doing but they are heavy. Speed excessively and expect to have your licence taken off you, too. The Entente Cordiale is not what it once was, it seems...
Fortunately the French public dislike this excessive clampdown on speed almost as much as we do and the nicer locals will flash their lights as a warning that you're about to stumble across an angry frog in a bush as it were. However, don't assume that this is normal procedure - always bear in mind that for the majority of the time you won't be warned about impending doom but it is worth checking the oncoming carriageway for flashing headlights.
Guide to Speeding Fines:
Speeding by more than 20 km/h - 50 km/h over the limit(12 mph - 31 mph)
Fine : 90 euros minimum, 750 euros maximum.
Speeding by more than 50 km/h (31 mph)
Fine : 1500 euros
Possible Vehicle Impound and Ban from onward driving.
Second offence speeding by more than 50 km/h (31 mph)
Jail : 3 months
Fine : 3750 euros
Campsites
At the Circuit
Houx
Inside the Circuit ( 5 mins walk to Village) with marked out plots. electricity points and water taps (not drinking water) dotted all over the campsites. Has static shower blocks and Toilets as well as mobile ones. Along with its on outside Cafe/Bar.Usually Find a good majority of the TVRCC guys in there.
Houx Annexe
Maison Blanche
Other Campsites
Hotels, Guest Houses etc
...?