Camping newbie (Bleu)
Discussion
(Updated: read my latest post and have made a few updated amendments).
Morning all,
Went to Le Mans for the first time last year but stayed at friends some 100km away - too far. So this year will be the first time I've camped at Le Mans and am looking for a little advice.
I'll put numbered points for easy replies
1. We've booked into Bleu camp site which I believe isn't numbered pitches. How are pitches given or are they a free for all?
(Updated: We're in Bleu Nord Row J Pitch 11) How big are the pitches and where are the cars parked in relation to the pitches?)
2. We're arriving on Thursday around 1700. How bad is the traffic?
(Updated: Now changed the crossing time so arrival time is 1400 latest!)
3. We've got a 8man tent with 4 of us staying in it. 3 of us arrive in one car (X5 with rear bike rack if that makes any difference). I fear this is a lot of space needed? Is there a limit?
4. The 4 person is arriving Saturday early morning but parking somewhere random in Le Mans centre. Can I take my car off site and return with him? How does camping access work? Wristband?
5. Are generators allowed? Ive got one and intend on bringing it for phone charging, blast of a small fridge, charging radios etc. If you're there, you're welcome to use!
6. Are there showers / toilets?
7. We're only staying until Monday morning then going to our friends in near Samaur. Assume we can leave any time?
TIA
Morning all,
Went to Le Mans for the first time last year but stayed at friends some 100km away - too far. So this year will be the first time I've camped at Le Mans and am looking for a little advice.
I'll put numbered points for easy replies
1. We've booked into Bleu camp site which I believe isn't numbered pitches. How are pitches given or are they a free for all?
(Updated: We're in Bleu Nord Row J Pitch 11) How big are the pitches and where are the cars parked in relation to the pitches?)
2. We're arriving on Thursday around 1700. How bad is the traffic?
(Updated: Now changed the crossing time so arrival time is 1400 latest!)
3. We've got a 8man tent with 4 of us staying in it. 3 of us arrive in one car (X5 with rear bike rack if that makes any difference). I fear this is a lot of space needed? Is there a limit?
4. The 4 person is arriving Saturday early morning but parking somewhere random in Le Mans centre. Can I take my car off site and return with him? How does camping access work? Wristband?
5. Are generators allowed? Ive got one and intend on bringing it for phone charging, blast of a small fridge, charging radios etc. If you're there, you're welcome to use!
6. Are there showers / toilets?
7. We're only staying until Monday morning then going to our friends in near Samaur. Assume we can leave any time?
TIA
Edited by Joe5y on Tuesday 6th June 17:47
Joe5y said:
1. We've booked into Bleu camp site which I believe isn't numbered pitches. How are pitches given or are they a free for all?
When you first arrive a person with a bicycle will direct you to a vacant space, you can of course suggest to them that you'd prefer a different/better spot, but by Thursday PM you won't get much choice of what's left.Joe5y said:
2. We're arriving on Thursday around 1700. How bad is the traffic?
It'll be fairly busy as the qualifying will be taking place, so all the locals will be heading to the circuit after work.Joe5y said:
3. We've got a 8man tent with 4 of us staying in it. 3 of us arrive in one car (X5 with rear bike rack if that makes any difference). I fear this is a lot of space needed? Is there a limit?
A single plot is 5m x 7m but normally people park their car in the roadways so you can use the whole space for tenting.Joe5y said:
4. The 4 person is arriving Saturday early morning but parking somewhere random in Le Mans centre. Can I take my car off site and return with him? How does camping access work? Wristband?
You'll need a camping pass for the car, then you can come and go as you please. They'll scan the barcode when you leave and return. There's no control on pedestrians, you might have to wave an entry ticket if you go through a manned entrance but I believe Blue has no fencing so people can (and do) wander in (keep anything of value locked in the car as it will disappear).Joe5y said:
5. Are generators allowed? Ive got one and intend on bringing it for phone charging, blast of a small fridge, charging radios etc. If you're there, you're welcome to use!
Yes, people will have gennies going all the time. Again keep in the car when not in use as it will be nicked.Joe5y said:
6. Are there showers / toilets?
Yes, plenty. Queues at peak hours.Joe5y said:
7. We're only staying until Monday morning then going to our friends in near Samaur. Assume we can leave any time?
Yes, most people will leave on the Sunday evening. Don't leave anything unattended once the race ends (including the tents themselves) as people will think you've left them and help themselves.
Would say 8 people on a single plot will be a squeeze, even if the car is not on your 7 by 5 square. And by thursday the campsite will be busy so little chance of spreading out. You will not have much room for the Gazebo, BBQ, seats, table and stock of beer. Would have been better to have ordered two spaces and got both cars in.You might be able to pick up another camping ticket in the next few weeks and i would recommend that
Can I suggest that if you're planning on arriving late afternoon on Thursday, that you be prepared for long traffic queues around the circuit....many of those travelling on mid-late morning Tunnel crossings will be arriving at that time.
You'd be recommended not to follow the camping Bleu signs as you approach LM on the dual carriageway (D338) and instead to head on towards the town centre and turn off later following the signs (D139 is one option) & to approach from directly north. The first year we rocked up late Thursday afternoon and it took us a good 1.5 hours to travel what should be about 20 minutes as we followed the signs and this year they will have increased security checks if you read other posts which will undoubtedly slow things more.
If all else fails and you get stuck in traffic, stop at a bar for a drink and let the traffic subside
You'd be recommended not to follow the camping Bleu signs as you approach LM on the dual carriageway (D338) and instead to head on towards the town centre and turn off later following the signs (D139 is one option) & to approach from directly north. The first year we rocked up late Thursday afternoon and it took us a good 1.5 hours to travel what should be about 20 minutes as we followed the signs and this year they will have increased security checks if you read other posts which will undoubtedly slow things more.
If all else fails and you get stuck in traffic, stop at a bar for a drink and let the traffic subside
MrC986 said:
....You'd be recommended not to follow the camping Bleu signs...
Maybe someone who has recently stayed on Bleu can reveal whether the back route from top of Arnage village along the airfield fence will still be open on the Thursday (normally closed for the race itself) as that will allow you to miss nearly all the traffic.Joe5y said:
1. We've booked into Bleu camp site which I believe isn't numbered pitches. How are pitches given or are they a free for all?
I've stayed on either Bleu Nord and Sud for the last 5+ years and both have numbered plots. There may be the odd un-numbered areas but they are usualy just held for motorhomes or issues that make a numbered pitch unusable.Joe5y said:
2. We're arriving on Thursday around 1700. How bad is the traffic?
Quite busy. It's a common arrival day and time, plus you've got track action (Porsche Carrera Cup qually 15:30-16:30/Road to Le Mans race 1 17:30-18:25/24hr qually 19:00-21:00) and that means both day visitors and road closures.Quite honestly screw it though. Tune the radio to 91.2 and relax.
Joe5y said:
3. We've got a 8man tent with 4 of us staying in it. 3 of us arrive in one car (X5 with rear bike rack if that makes any difference). I fear this is a lot of space needed? Is there a limit?
Depends how big that 8-man tent is but you could have some trouble. A single camping pass gets you a 7m x 5m pitch for both you, your tent, your car and any other stuff. If it's an old-style 'space for 8 bodies and covered in cloth' tent you might fit, though might not be that comfortable. If it's a more family tent, with seating area, kitchen, etc you might be too big and be facing an argement in French. Easiest option would be to try and get a Parking Blanc ticket in addition to the camping one. It's next door and gives you somewhere close to dump the car after dropping everything off at your camping pitch.Bleu Sud is a bit more relaxed but they tend to be tighter on people parking in the roadways in Nord as a lot of them are only one car wide.
Joe5y said:
4. The 4 person is arriving Saturday early morning but parking somewhere random in Le Mans centre. Can I take my car off site and return with him? How does camping access work? Wristband?
Both Bleu Nord and Sud are 'outside' the circuit so pedestrian access is unrestricted. You camping pass will let you bring a single vehicle on-site and you can come and go as you please.If they are travelling light/you can't be arsed to fight the traffic to collect them they can park somewhere handy to a tram stop and get the tram to the circuit/walk to Bleu.
Joe5y said:
5. Are generators allowed? Ive got one and intend on bringing it for phone charging, blast of a small fridge, charging radios etc. If you're there, you're welcome to use!
Yes, but remember 's
t on your own lawn'. One way to piss of your neighbours is to shove your noisy generator as far away from you/your tent as you can...ignoring the fact that is right next to someone else's tent.I think you're going to be pressed for space anyway so probably wouldn't bother. Take some charged 'power packs' for the phones and just switch them off most of the time. There's only so many places your friends can be if you lose them - try the tent/toilets/beer tent.
Joe5y said:
6. Are there showers / toilets?
Yes, and they are generally well tended, clean and hot. My advice would be to dump your normal routine though, as at 9am you'll see long queues. Go back at 2pm, or better still 2am and you'll probably walk straight in.FYI they are (proper) temporary shower blocks, so expect to spend half your time touching skin with the walls and 'travel light' to the shower as you just get 1 hook to hang your clothes on.
Joe5y said:
7. We're only staying until Monday morning then going to our friends in near Samaur. Assume we can leave any time?
'Only' staying till Monday? How long were you planning on staying!Usually the camsite 'security' (they are they to secure the campsite from people driving in without tickets, not to secure you/your stuff) leave when the chequered flag gets waved on Sunday and you're expected to be out by midday Monday.
Truckosaurus said:
Maybe someone who has recently stayed on Bleu can reveal whether the back route from top of Arnage village along the airfield fence will still be open on the Thursday (normally closed for the race itself) as that will allow you to miss nearly all the traffic.
I'm pretty sure it was last yearHaha, love people getting upset with generators.
The dutch are there. They love techno.
Ze Germans are there. They love techno too.
...And worst of all, shedloads of brits.
Oh, and 3 Corvettes and 5 Astons. They make the Dutch techno sound like a library. They stay up all night, too.
There will be no quiet, at any point from thurs to Monday. Sunday night, generic Europeans will set off fireworks loud enough to make you think it's 24h du Somme.
Just drink though it, wear ear plugs and you'll be reet!
The dutch are there. They love techno.
Ze Germans are there. They love techno too.
...And worst of all, shedloads of brits.
Oh, and 3 Corvettes and 5 Astons. They make the Dutch techno sound like a library. They stay up all night, too.
There will be no quiet, at any point from thurs to Monday. Sunday night, generic Europeans will set off fireworks loud enough to make you think it's 24h du Somme.
Just drink though it, wear ear plugs and you'll be reet!
those noisy people who drive around on saturday night usually attract the attention of the circuit police at least a couple of times during the night, they drive around in much quieter cars very slowly and all those noisy people have to slow down, gives people a chance to grab some sleep, but eventually the circuit police get feed up and go for a cup of tea, then the noisy ones start up all again
Some Gump said:
Haha, love people getting upset with generators.
The dutch are there. They love techno.
Ze Germans are there. They love techno too.
...And worst of all, shedloads of brits.
Oh, and 3 Corvettes and 5 Astons. They make the Dutch techno sound like a library. They stay up all night, too.
There will be no quiet, at any point from thurs to Monday. Sunday night, generic Europeans will set off fireworks loud enough to make you think it's 24h du Somme.
Just drink though it, wear ear plugs and you'll be reet!
Amen! Cant wait!!The dutch are there. They love techno.
Ze Germans are there. They love techno too.
...And worst of all, shedloads of brits.
Oh, and 3 Corvettes and 5 Astons. They make the Dutch techno sound like a library. They stay up all night, too.
There will be no quiet, at any point from thurs to Monday. Sunday night, generic Europeans will set off fireworks loud enough to make you think it's 24h du Somme.
Just drink though it, wear ear plugs and you'll be reet!
So, a little update on this.
From the advice given, which I'm very greatful for, I've done some digging and made some changes.
1. We're actually staying in Bleu Nord Row J pitch 11. Any ideas where this is situated?
2. I've also changed our crossing time to 0750 (from 1020) to miss, or at least get ahead of the queues.
3. The generator(!). Do I really need it? We can charge phones in the car and as said we can take chargers. The car will charge the fridge. This will obviously rely on running the car for some time to do both of these, which isn't much better than a generator! And what if the car isn't parked near the tent?!
From the advice given, which I'm very greatful for, I've done some digging and made some changes.
1. We're actually staying in Bleu Nord Row J pitch 11. Any ideas where this is situated?
2. I've also changed our crossing time to 0750 (from 1020) to miss, or at least get ahead of the queues.
3. The generator(!). Do I really need it? We can charge phones in the car and as said we can take chargers. The car will charge the fridge. This will obviously rely on running the car for some time to do both of these, which isn't much better than a generator! And what if the car isn't parked near the tent?!
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff