Restaurant on parade rout ?
Restaurant on parade rout ?
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Discussion

dazV12

Original Poster:

104 posts

224 months

Sunday 29th April 2012
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Does anyone know of a good restaurant on the parade route in le mans centrum where we can book and sit and enjoy the parade ?

//j17

5,062 posts

252 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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Do what we do - go in early to get some lunch, watch the parade*, wander around and find a nice restaurant after the parade.

  • Watching the parade means different things.
1) If your under 15 -> grabbing tat and getting it signed by drivers.
2) If it's your first 24hrs -> watching the drivers go past in vintage cars.
3) If you're an old hand -> placing bets on how late it will start this year, ignoring/heckling drivers, discussing just HOW gay Harley Davidsons are, wondering when the Brazilian dancing girls will be coming round, wondering how much longer it will be because you're cold/wet/sunburnt/hungry.

DS240

5,651 posts

247 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Spot on... But missed;

- Wonder why on an organised parade, taking place on a closed loop, there is a 10 minute wait between the last thing passing by.
- Get bored and hungry and not see it through to the end.
- Just why does the safety car drive round the loop at racing speed to check the route?
- Why do some the ropey looking models have 'bodyguards' walking by their car?
- Arrive early, wait in your spot and then get annoyed at the French turning up 30 seconds before the start then pushing their way in.

FranzKlampon

1,108 posts

244 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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They're a bit pricey. A cosy candle lit meal for Franz Jr and I with a nice bottle of Claret ran in at around 150 euros if I remember correctly, which I course I don't because we were absolutely bladdered by thendrunk. I do seem to remember it wasn't Steak Frites though, which made a pleasant change, but it was certainly a case of the 'price is remembered long after the quality is forgotten'.

The area around Place de L'Eperon, just north of Place de la Republique, has the biggest selection of restaurants, but you are unlikely to be able to see the parade from your table due to the crowds.

Great fun though, I highly recommend the Parade if you haven't done it yet.


Rs2oo

2,210 posts

227 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
//j17 said:
  • Watching the parade means different things.
1) wondering when the Brazilian dancing girls will be coming round, .
Never mind the meal, what's this about Brazilian Dancing Girls ?!

frag68

273 posts

173 months

Monday 30th April 2012
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dazV12 said:
Does anyone know of a good restaurant on the parade route in le mans centrum where we can book and sit and enjoy the parade ?
Last year we ate at a restaurant on the street the tram line is on just before the "square" stop. It was an Italian and the food was good and not too pricey. Cant remember the name. There were a few restaurants and cafes around there if that helps. We didnt book and turned up on spec and got a table fairly easily.

I do agree with some of the other comments. I have witnessed the parade twice and cant say that I am all that fussed about it. Only did it last year as my friend with me hadnt witnessed it before.

//j17

5,062 posts

252 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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frag68 said:
I do agree with some of the other comments. I have witnessed the parade twice and cant say that I am all that fussed about it. Only did it last year as my friend with me hadnt witnessed it before.
I still enjoy it if the weather's good - though that's just because it's a chance to sit in the old town drinking beer all afternoon, as opposed to the rest of the week spent sitting down in a field drinking beer all afternoon smile

Was wet a couple of years back and, after the first driver car had gone past we did ask our 2 virgins if they actually wanted to see this. As they said "Not especially" we just buggered off to a restaurant mid-parade. Was just us and a group of Danes in there so service was great smile

vincegail

2,642 posts

184 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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//j17 said:
I still enjoy it if the weather's good - though that's just because it's a chance to sit in the old town drinking beer all afternoon, as opposed to the rest of the week spent sitting down in a field drinking beer all afternoon smile
Don't forget the evenings! Oh, the joys of Le Mans!

dredgey

339 posts

250 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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I find its a great place to soak up some pre-race atmosphere whilst humiliating one of your group members



Edited by dredgey on Tuesday 1st May 16:28

vincegail

2,642 posts

184 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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It may be my memory failing, but I think I've seen better looking swedish girls! smile

dredgey

339 posts

250 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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Depends how big your beer googles are!

vincegail

2,642 posts

184 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
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Luckily they've never been that big! Would be a painful and embarrassing next morning/afternoon/rest of my life!