Are glass bottles allowed in campsites?
Discussion
Thought I'd start this one off, to see if anyone knows the answer for this year. 2011 saw mass panic when it was put on the PH forums on the Wednesday that vehicles were being searched at the entrance to the campsites and having their bottles seized by security. The ACO appeared to change their mind by the Thursday, but there were varying contradicting reports. We stayed on the Travel Destinations private site at Porsche Curves where there was no issues.
Last year however,in 2012, we stayed at Houx and our motorhomes were searched, before being allowed in. We couldn't understand the two French girls and what they were looking for, but our beer and wine was well hidden just in case - and they never found it. It will be really helpful if anyone already knows the position this year, or could post the answer when they arrive at their chosen site....
Last year however,in 2012, we stayed at Houx and our motorhomes were searched, before being allowed in. We couldn't understand the two French girls and what they were looking for, but our beer and wine was well hidden just in case - and they never found it. It will be really helpful if anyone already knows the position this year, or could post the answer when they arrive at their chosen site....
I wouldn't take this as gospel but this is what I hear anyway - same old story, they're not really allowed in but depending on where you're staying you should be able to get away with it if your stubbies are buried under all of your gear in the boot.
As usual, may be a little stricter getting into the campsites which require a General Entrance ticket to access (such as the TL site at Tetre Rouge), though I've never had any problems in years gone by when loading the car to exhaust-dragging levels with bottles of cheap french lager from the local supermarche. And besides, it's probably nothing that a sly €10/20 note to the gate person (+ a crate of the aforementioned where applicable) wouldn't assist anyway
ETA - if you're worried, do what I do - go in initially with nothing/very little and set up camp and assess the situation. Then head out again afterwards to stock up.
As usual, may be a little stricter getting into the campsites which require a General Entrance ticket to access (such as the TL site at Tetre Rouge), though I've never had any problems in years gone by when loading the car to exhaust-dragging levels with bottles of cheap french lager from the local supermarche. And besides, it's probably nothing that a sly €10/20 note to the gate person (+ a crate of the aforementioned where applicable) wouldn't assist anyway
ETA - if you're worried, do what I do - go in initially with nothing/very little and set up camp and assess the situation. Then head out again afterwards to stock up.
Not this again...!!!
Bottles are allowed on campsites, but... they are not allowed to be taken in to the circuit. As Houx forms part of the circuit (they scan your car and your GE tickets) you cannot bring them in to there.
As said, just make sure you're not blatant about it. I mean would they really expect to take a bottle of wine from a Frenchman or make him drink it out of a winebox??? I think not.
Bottles are allowed on campsites, but... they are not allowed to be taken in to the circuit. As Houx forms part of the circuit (they scan your car and your GE tickets) you cannot bring them in to there.
As said, just make sure you're not blatant about it. I mean would they really expect to take a bottle of wine from a Frenchman or make him drink it out of a winebox??? I think not.
eps said:
Not this again...!!!
Yes, this again. Terribly sorry 
Believe or not, there seem to be an awful lot of people who didn't know this, me included and I have been going for the last 13 years.
And we're staying on Houx
Anybody got any real-world experience of whether they were searching vehicles or just looking in the back? Or if they even care? I have 16 people coming here for my stag do and not being able to bring our own booze is a major downer... And living off tinnies for a weekend isn't what I had in mind. We're arriving Friday, hopefull they'll be tired of it by then...
yeti said:
Yes, this again. Terribly sorry
Believe or not, there seem to be an awful lot of people who didn't know this, me included and I have been going for the last 13 years.
And we're staying on Houx
Anybody got any real-world experience of whether they were searching vehicles or just looking in the back? Or if they even care? I have 16 people coming here for my stag do and not being able to bring our own booze is a major downer... And living off tinnies for a weekend isn't what I had in mind. We're arriving Friday, hopefull they'll be tired of it by then...
I agree, there is a lot of confusion over this. I've been going for 10 years and still don't know the definitive answer either. From experience, glass bottles are definitely not allowed around the track itself and normally bags are searched when you have your tickets scanned when walking to the main part of the circuit. We've never had anything confiscated at the campsite entrances, nor seen any sign of vehicles being searched. Previously always stayed at Karting Nord and once at Porsche Curves in 2011. However, last year was the first time we'd stayed at Houx and we did our motorhomes searched, albeit rather cursory and they never told us why or what they were looking for. We have a group of 13 of us in motorhomes again this year on Houx - and erring on the side of caution and simply going to make sure all our beer/wine etc. is well hidden just in case....It just isn't the same out of a tin or box!Believe or not, there seem to be an awful lot of people who didn't know this, me included and I have been going for the last 13 years.
And we're staying on Houx
Anybody got any real-world experience of whether they were searching vehicles or just looking in the back? Or if they even care? I have 16 people coming here for my stag do and not being able to bring our own booze is a major downer... And living off tinnies for a weekend isn't what I had in mind. We're arriving Friday, hopefull they'll be tired of it by then...
My experiences are that technically speaking glass bottles aren't permitted into the general enclosure which includes any campsites located within it. But, everyone takes glass bottles into the general enclosure which includes any campsites located within it.
I've always bought bottled beer when there and never had any problems getting back into camp or taking some to the track in a cool bag. By the evening the trackside is littered with glass bottles (which admittedly it would be nice if people would put them in bins!) so its obviously a loosely followed rule. Perhaps the minority of officials take this rule more literally.
I remember naively strolling through the pits on the Friday sipping beer from a bottle and only then did an official, very politely, and understandably ask me to drink up and bin the bottle. I chose to put the empty back in my bag for a bin elsewhere when it dawned on me that I was walking where tyres go!
I've always bought bottled beer when there and never had any problems getting back into camp or taking some to the track in a cool bag. By the evening the trackside is littered with glass bottles (which admittedly it would be nice if people would put them in bins!) so its obviously a loosely followed rule. Perhaps the minority of officials take this rule more literally.
I remember naively strolling through the pits on the Friday sipping beer from a bottle and only then did an official, very politely, and understandably ask me to drink up and bin the bottle. I chose to put the empty back in my bag for a bin elsewhere when it dawned on me that I was walking where tyres go!
Edited by dredgey on Tuesday 18th June 10:57
I already gave the definitive answer.
Campsites allowed, unless they are within GE. The problem, is that glass bottles are not allowed in GE areas, and if you're in Houx for instance, you're already inside GE... So it probably counts for Tetre Rouge as well, although I haven't stayed there before.
If you wish to bring bottles in to campsites such as Houx, keep them _well_ hidden. Under stuff, covered and no clinking noises as you drive along, down in the deepest of the deep or under someones feet, clothes or something. Don't be obvious about it and don't joke about it, just give them the 'Non' when asked about bouteilles or say you've only got cans and show a few.
Campsites allowed, unless they are within GE. The problem, is that glass bottles are not allowed in GE areas, and if you're in Houx for instance, you're already inside GE... So it probably counts for Tetre Rouge as well, although I haven't stayed there before.
If you wish to bring bottles in to campsites such as Houx, keep them _well_ hidden. Under stuff, covered and no clinking noises as you drive along, down in the deepest of the deep or under someones feet, clothes or something. Don't be obvious about it and don't joke about it, just give them the 'Non' when asked about bouteilles or say you've only got cans and show a few.
Is it just me or did anyone think that the bottle ban was more strict this year? I'm surprised no one else has remarked on it yet but at beausejour we had our car searched on arrival and searched again after a visit to the supermarche. It might have something to do what was written down the side of my car but ironically when asked if I had any beer in my car I promptly replied "Non monsieur" (of course I did but it was hidden in the boot).
We also had bags searched each time going into the general enclosure. I'm sure its been stepped up from previous years but maybe I've always just been lucky?
We also had bags searched each time going into the general enclosure. I'm sure its been stepped up from previous years but maybe I've always just been lucky?
Edited by dredgey on Wednesday 26th June 14:06
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