Driving up (not down) to Le Mans

[dredgey]

This year we’re driving straight past Le Mans, and driving an extra 2 hours South to our house in order to collect some things to bring back to the UK. As soon as said items are collected we’re then immediately coming straight back up to Le Mans. It will probably add another 5 hours to the journey.

Has anyone driven North to Le Mans? Are there many cars en route or will we be on our own? We’re travelling on the Wednesday. Once North of Tours I’ll probably take the D338 for a bit of extra interest. I’ve driven the route many times but never during Le Mans week...

Edited by dredgey on Saturday 25th May 06:53

[wsn03]

2 years ago we went to Tours on the Friday for a day out, did not see a single Le Mans car anywhere on the way down or back. People were looking at our stickered car with bemusement, smiles and the odd wave. One person took photos.

Tours is a nice town and its an ok drive too if anyone is looking to do something completely different. Not the way I like to spend time at a race meeting but my friend who came is a bit like that - glad I went though

Edited by wsn03 on Saturday 25th May 07:38

[Davwlk]

We have driven up to Le Mans 3 times from Alicante. Excellent journey and didn't see a single policeman until Arnage. No traffic to speak of either there or back.

[Kev_Mk3]

Our house is south of Le Mans in Savigné-sous-le-Lude we always go there to collect things before heading to the track. Ok not as far as yourself but dont really see many other cars as we use the back roads to track.

[dredgey]

Hmmm, I think my stickered up for Le Mans May be a slightly pointless task this year... oh well.

[Nobby Diesel]

The last couple of years, I've driven from the UK to a mates place in Limoges, then north to Le Mans on the Friday, stopping in Chartre sur le Loir for lunch.
Don't see any 24 Hr related cars or promo, until in Chartre.
Certainly no traffic, speed traps or police.Enjoy the drive!!

[Mykap]

We've driven up from Costa Blanc a few times and will be doing so again this year. No traffic headaches and no stickered up cars until you get close.

[JT3K]

Don't know if it's any use/interest but the filming locations from the start of Le Mans are all south. You can find them listed here. Might be worth coming that way if you're down there anyway?

http://web.archive.org/web/20180823200122/http://w...

[blueg33]

Done it from Spain a few times, its quiet until you get to Arnage

[dredgey]

JT3K said:

Don't know if it's any use/interest but the filming locations from the start of Le Mans are all south. You can find them listed here. Might be worth coming that way if you're down there anyway?

http://web.archive.org/web/20180823200122/http://w...

I like your thinking! Sadly we’re not coming that way (attached). I’d like to think we’re coming back in on the D338 as it may be more interesting than motorway via Mulsanne but I suspect we may just want to get in and get pitched with a cold beer by then!

[dredgey]

Nobby Diesel said:

The last couple of years, I've driven from the UK to a mates place in Limoges, then north to Le Mans on the Friday, stopping in Chartre sur le Loir for lunch.
Don't see any 24 Hr related cars or promo, until in Chartre.
Certainly no traffic, speed traps or police.Enjoy the drive!!

Sort of as I suspected I guess. Cheers, will definitely enjoy the drive. House has been in the family for 30 plus years, but is up for sale now so Im thinking of using the D roads North, for old times sake. When the house were purchased there were no motorways in the area and the route seemed more enjoyable.

Edited by dredgey on Monday 27th May 07:34

[DS240]

Things are definitely less hectic south of the circuit. We are based a very short distance south of the circuit for the weekend and traffic into the circuit is minimal compared to that trying to get in from the northern feeder roads.

Loire valley is lovely to spend time in coming up from further south.

We head down from st malo but always divert south early and head across the B roads rather than feed into Le Mans and down from there.

[blueg33]

We always stay in a Chateau 30 miles south of Le Mans, great roads few gendarmes

[JT3K]

dredgey said:

JT3K said:

Don't know if it's any use/interest but the filming locations from the start of Le Mans are all south. You can find them listed here. Might be worth coming that way if you're down there anyway?

http://web.archive.org/web/20180823200122/http://w...

I like your thinking! Sadly we’re not coming that way (attached). I’d like to think we’re coming back in on the D338 as it may be more interesting than motorway via Mulsanne but I suspect we may just want to get in and get pitched with a cold beer by then!

Looks like you're only about 4km away from Fille, the location of the bridge scenes. Got to be worth coming through?

[Dblue]

dredgey said:

This year we’re driving straight past Le Mans, and driving an extra 2 hours South to our house in order to collect some things to bring back to the UK. As soon as said items are collected we’re then immediately coming straight back up to Le Mans. It will probably add another 5 hours to the journey.

Has anyone driven North to Le Mans? Are there many cars en route or will we be on our own? We’re travelling on the Wednesday. Once North of Tours I’ll probably take the D338 for a bit of extra interest. I’ve driven the route many times but never during Le Mans week...

Edited by dredgey on Saturday 25th May 06:53

Make a little detour and head for the Hotel De France in Charite sur Loir. Nice meal and its the base that the Jaguar and Aston teams used back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of pictures and often some nice cars and well known drivers around too.

[blueg33]

Dblue said:

Make a little detour and head for the Hotel De France in Charite sur Loir. Nice meal and its the base that the Jaguar and Aston teams used back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of pictures and often some nice cars and well known drivers around too.

I wouldn't describe the meals at Hotel Du France as nice - more functional, especially during Le Mans week. We have been going there every year for 18 years and the menu remains identical (except for the price).

But its a great place with a great history.

[Dblue]

blueg33 said:

Dblue said:

Make a little detour and head for the Hotel De France in Charite sur Loir. Nice meal and its the base that the Jaguar and Aston teams used back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of pictures and often some nice cars and well known drivers around too.

I wouldn't describe the meals at Hotel Du France as nice - more functional, especially during Le Mans week. We have been going there every year for 18 years and the menu remains identical (except for the price).

But its a great place with a great history.

It's OK , by circuit standards its haut cuisine, but its the ambience that's so worthwhile the trip

[blueg33]

Dblue said:

blueg33 said:

Dblue said:

Make a little detour and head for the Hotel De France in Charite sur Loir. Nice meal and its the base that the Jaguar and Aston teams used back in the 50's and 60's. Lots of pictures and often some nice cars and well known drivers around too.

I wouldn't describe the meals at Hotel De France as nice - more functional, especially during Le Mans week. We have been going there every year for 18 years and the menu remains identical (except for the price).

But its a great place with a great history.

It's OK , by circuit standards its haut cuisine, but its the ambience that's so worthwhile the trip

Totally agree on the ambience. Some great photos on the walls and the reception desktop. You can still sit at the table outside where Carroll Shelby, Jacky Ickx and Stirling Moss are photographed at. Derek Bell stays at the hotel during Le Mans week. The place just oozes Le Mans history.

A couple of years ago, this was parked round the back of the hotel, just sitting there minding its own business:

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:46

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:58

[Hoolio]

blueg33 said:

Totally agree on the ambience. Some great photos on the walls and the reception desktop. You can still sit at the table outside where Carroll Shelby, Jacky Ickx and Stirling Moss are photographed at. Derek Bell stays at the hotel during Le Mans week. The place just oozes Le Mans history.

A couple of years ago, this was parked round the back of the hotel, just sitting there minding its own business:

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:46

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:58

Not been to Hotel De France before, heading there on the Friday. Looking forward to doing something new and different.

[Hoolio]

blueg33 said:

Totally agree on the ambience. Some great photos on the walls and the reception desktop. You can still sit at the table outside where Carroll Shelby, Jacky Ickx and Stirling Moss are photographed at. Derek Bell stays at the hotel during Le Mans week. The place just oozes Le Mans history.

A couple of years ago, this was parked round the back of the hotel, just sitting there minding its own business:

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:46

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 29th May 16:58

Not been to Hotel De France before, heading there on the Friday. Looking forward to doing something new and different.