1st time to Le Mans, Stag do, info, pointers etc

[ben306]

Thinking of heading off to Le Mans next year, do the whole road trip down and have a long weekend of it. Will be abit of a Stag do for me as well, but after some advice on tickets, whens best to book, worth going with anyone (piston heads/ travel company etc)

Just after pointers/general info/costs etc.

This will be the 1st time any of the group of us will have gone so now trying to find as much info as I can and remembered seeing that PH do it annually so thought I'd ask the question.

Any info or help would be great while I carry on looking.

Thanks

[jameshayward]

ben306 said:

Thinking of heading off to Le Mans next year, do the whole road trip down and have a long weekend of it. Will be abit of a Stag do for me as well, but after some advice on tickets, whens best to book, worth going with anyone (piston heads/ travel company etc)

Just after pointers/general info/costs etc.

This will be the 1st time any of the group of us will have gone so now trying to find as much info as I can and remembered seeing that PH do it annually so thought I'd ask the question.

Any info or help would be great while I carry on looking.

Thanks

Don't think about it - do it!

Best to start looking around for tickets now as the best campsites fill up quicker

1st Tickets / Travel Destinations / Select Motorsport

Also get yourself signed up on www.beermountain.com and say hello, plenty of help over there

[The Leaper]

Best fully comp guide is here:

http://www.clubarnage.com/

Do make a donation though.

R.

[Great Dane]

Lucky you... first time...

[ben306]

Well Ive signed up on that Beermountain!

Seems to have plenty of info, will have a proper look this weekend.

[-Lummox-]

ben306 said:

Thinking of heading off to Le Mans next year, do the whole road trip down and have a long weekend of it. Will be abit of a Stag do for me as well, but after some advice on tickets, whens best to book, worth going with anyone (piston heads/ travel company etc)

Just after pointers/general info/costs etc.

This will be the 1st time any of the group of us will have gone so now trying to find as much info as I can and remembered seeing that PH do it annually so thought I'd ask the question.

Any info or help would be great while I carry on looking.

Thanks

When to book? ASAP

How much? Probably about £175 for 1x camping pass and 2 general admission tickets, depending on which campsite you go for.

1st tickets, Justtickets or Tickets 2 U Ltd (and plenty of other places) can sort you out with tickets.

Ferry or Eurotunnel? Ferry is cheaper but slower, however does give you the option of stretching your legs and getting some food/booze/fags. Eurotunnel is fast but dull and costs more.

How long are you thinking of going? Most people choose to make a week of it rather than a weekend - i.e. head down Tues/Weds and come back Monday. Coming back on the Sunday after the race is a ballache. Really heavy traffic getting out of the site/town, and heavy plod presence on the route to the ferries. Better to hang around, finish off an extra few beers and head back on the Monday morning when the crowds and the plod have already cleared off.

Campsite is down to personal preference. I'd suggest Houx (not Houx Annexe) has a good mix of everything. We used to stay in Houx Annexe but it's been cut back in size every year and now it's a bit pokey and a dust bowl as well.

[ben306]

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

We are looking at setting off down on the Wednesday (from manchester area) to get there on the Thursday really. Will be staying until the monday as many have advised.

Going to be doing some proper looking this next few weeks. Where is the better facilities for the camping?

[phutton96]

Been to Lemans for the last two years running now, and already planning next years trip. Ok so the most important thing is to book early. Just tickets as been great for us the last couple of years. They seem about average on entry ticket prices and definately the cheapest for camping. We tend to favour the Houx Annexe campsite. Its close enough to the circuit to join in te party but not too chaotic. Facilities are a few mobile toilet and shower blocks, but as grim as they sound they were well maintained and clean, with plenty of hot water. If you have a slightly bigger budget and im only talking (from memory)£30 aprox more you can be in the Haux campsite with perminant toilet and shower blocks. Though Houx campsite is situated inside the circuit boundry fence so last year there was an issue with glass bottles. The organisers banned glass bottles from inside the perimiter. And you may or maynot be aware 95% of french beer is bottled, which resulted in lots of disgruntled people as there beer supplies were conviscated. Houx annexe is also perfectly situated for access to the village and some of the prime viewing areas, also access to the moursin staight (if your cunning enough to get past the security, who wish to restrict viewing there for sarety reasons.) Camping pitches on Houx annex are numbered and allocated, they are quite small though, about right for a medium size say 4 person tent and a car, If you have more tents or cars its advisable to book two pitches at the same time, requesting specificaly when you book that they are together. Last year we had 7 in our group sharing two cars and both a 6 man and a 4 man tent, and a 3mx3m gazebo on two pitches. it was tight to say the least. If you can take a gazebo its worth it for shelter from the rain which is inevitable. also take some means of fenceing off your area. there has been security issues in the past, so fence off your pitch to prevent light fingered randomers just wondering through. We invested in some beach style wind breaks they work great and as the name suggests they offer great wind protection as it can get nippy after 10pm. Also invest in a decent small/portable gas bbq. coal bbqs are fine but fiddly and youll find lighting them three times a day a bit tedious. Food/beer either at the track or at the burger van on the camp site is astronomcal prices. There is a super market 10 minute drive from the camp site so its advisable to visit them and stock up with food and drink either on the thursday or friday.
I hope this is of some use to you. if you have any other questions, please i would be happy to answer them.

[Great Dane]

We have been staying at Houx annexe for the last two years as well. Some parts of the site has no grass which makes it a bit 'dusty' at times..... Toilets/showers are cleaned very regularly and you will not have to wait if you avoid the peak times like early morning. We showered in the evenings without ever having to wait
This site is also very close to the tram terminal (handy for going to the drivers' parade or even a trip in Le Mans City)

Can't wait to go... roughly one third through the wait...