2010 organised campsites...
Discussion
2010 will be my first Le Mans, and as I have only recently decided to go, I have left it too late to organise camping independently (the decent sites are full) so I'm going to go with one of the organised campsites such as Speedchills, Team Langustine, 1st tickets/Pistonheads, White Rabbit Racing etc that appear to have camping packages still available.
My question is, is there much difference between them? The prices are all very similar and they seem to be organised by like minded people, with similar attractions like a bar, security, decent showers etc. I liked the idea of the Pistonheads/1st Tickets campsite and left voicemail and email messages with Brian from 1st tickets but had no reply as yet.
I know people can only give their opinion based on where they have stayed in the past, but I could do with some opinions as I get the impression I need to get it booked asap. If it makes a difference, there will be 2 of us in my Corvette, age 26 and 31, important factors for us are great atmosphere, security, showers, bar, not a million miles from the action as we wont have bikes, pretty much what all the organised sites seem to provide.
Thanks for any advice!
My question is, is there much difference between them? The prices are all very similar and they seem to be organised by like minded people, with similar attractions like a bar, security, decent showers etc. I liked the idea of the Pistonheads/1st Tickets campsite and left voicemail and email messages with Brian from 1st tickets but had no reply as yet.
I know people can only give their opinion based on where they have stayed in the past, but I could do with some opinions as I get the impression I need to get it booked asap. If it makes a difference, there will be 2 of us in my Corvette, age 26 and 31, important factors for us are great atmosphere, security, showers, bar, not a million miles from the action as we wont have bikes, pretty much what all the organised sites seem to provide.
Thanks for any advice!
Having been to Le Mans twenty something times, I have always tended to book my own camping, until last year that is when we stayed on the TL site. It was great, nice atmosphere and immediately adjoining the track. Close to the tram too which is good for trips to the city centre. We are going with TL again this year, there is a Corvette in our group too.
Having been to Le Mans twenty something times, I have always tended to book my own camping, until the year before last that is, when we stayed on the TL site. It was okay. I got the tickets v. cheap on eBay so all was good, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted to pay a premium to camp there rather than any of the public sites.
Apparently the bogs/showers were clean (I'm not much of a one for personal hygene meself), and there was a bar with a telly (I seem to recall there being one or two other bars in the whole of Le Mans), but so far as security was concerned we just turned up, opened the gate and pitched our tent. Nobody asked who we were or to see tickets then or whenever we went in and out throughout the weekend.
Don't wanna put you off, it was fine, but to me it offered no advantages to the many other (vastly cheaper) public sites, which to me seemed to have more/better atmosphere (bigger, more diverse mix).
Anyway have fun wherever you end up...
Apparently the bogs/showers were clean (I'm not much of a one for personal hygene meself), and there was a bar with a telly (I seem to recall there being one or two other bars in the whole of Le Mans), but so far as security was concerned we just turned up, opened the gate and pitched our tent. Nobody asked who we were or to see tickets then or whenever we went in and out throughout the weekend.
Don't wanna put you off, it was fine, but to me it offered no advantages to the many other (vastly cheaper) public sites, which to me seemed to have more/better atmosphere (bigger, more diverse mix).
Anyway have fun wherever you end up...
If you've never been to Le Mans you will have no preconceptions of what a "decent camp site" is like. Beausejour is near the bottom of most people's lists, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the many thousands who were also on that site did too it seemed!
It was nicknamed "Basra'sejour" after the Sunday night antics, fires and explosions so bring your tin hat. Part of the experience is the DIY element for us.
It was nicknamed "Basra'sejour" after the Sunday night antics, fires and explosions so bring your tin hat. Part of the experience is the DIY element for us.
@thanetspeedshop, I've left it too late to book a public campground (or at least a public campground that is within reasonable distance) so my only real option is to book through a package provider, as they seem to still have decent camping available. I'm just not sure which one to go for!
Campsites at Le mans depend massively on the weather 
Beausejour
This is basically grass fields which get the grass cut prior to race week. The ground is fairly soft. The entrance in and out can be a real bottle neck at the best of times. There is a small Noddy train that runs between sites and this train stops at the Beausejour site. If its really dry the road in and out of the site can become really dusty. If its wet it becomes a bloody mud bath
+ points, contrary to what is said on here by many, you can just turn up,Thursday/Friday, pay for a camping permit at the entrance and purchase your general entrance ticketsIve done this a few times, Its a hike, but you can walk into Arnage for a few beers if you fancy it. Viewing points Porsche Curves, you can also nip down to Arnage corner and watch the cars there (slowest part of the track and you see the cars close up) 
-Points = Big camp site, the later you get there the more you will be pushed towards the back of the site, its a very long way back to the entrance! Its also a long way to walk up to the Grandstands, but you can get the Noddy Train (free). Not a fully secure site, Pikeys always seem to be lurking around. Sunday evening, loads of them enter the site taking anything not bolted down! Get to know your neighbors well and look out for each others stuff.
There are many other sites if you look on the ACO website, but tickets do seem to go early. There always seems to be tickets for sale on eBay nearer the time too You get the usual touts at the main entrance to the circuit too Friday / Saturday.
Camping Houx
Not to be confused with 'Houx Annex' This is a concrete walled campsite with Numbered Pitches, when you turn up at the gate a marshal guides you to your pitch. Some pitches are good some should not be pitches at all
If its dry and sunny the road becomes a dust bath. The ground is fairly firm and can be a pain getting tent pegs into ground. But it is in a good location and you can walk into the pit grandstand area easily from here. Its fairly secure but not foolproof, (I have had stuff nicked from here Some areas of this site also have power, this consists of white concrete blocks with a couple of camping power points on and a water tap. Its really funny seeing how people share the power out of these, you can have up to 6 or 7 multi pin plugs coming off one power point 
There is a brick Shower block in the middle of the camp and a sort of Cafe!!!! These are open through the weekend. Part of the site is in a tree covered area and the other part is an open area.
+ Points = Central Location, easy walking distance to pit and grandstands, showers, toilets, Sort of cafe! Fairly secure!
- Points = French security, can be dusty if very dry, because of the entrance location you have to run the gauntlet of the idiots at the Houx Roundabout! Make sure your roofs up doors locked and windows up! You may also be stopped and expected to perform wheel spins! There have been several accidents at the T junction near the site entrance, some almost fatal, Its the french rule priority from the right! Be warned! Tickets are hard to get for this site unless you book a package with one of the tour operators or join the ACO and book tickets with them directly well in advance (10 to 12 months).
That will do for now, my fingers are aching!
Beausejour
This is basically grass fields which get the grass cut prior to race week. The ground is fairly soft. The entrance in and out can be a real bottle neck at the best of times. There is a small Noddy train that runs between sites and this train stops at the Beausejour site. If its really dry the road in and out of the site can become really dusty. If its wet it becomes a bloody mud bath
+ points, contrary to what is said on here by many, you can just turn up,Thursday/Friday, pay for a camping permit at the entrance and purchase your general entrance tickets
Ive done this a few times, Its a hike, but you can walk into Arnage for a few beers if you fancy it. Viewing points Porsche Curves, you can also nip down to Arnage corner and watch the cars there (slowest part of the track and you see the cars close up) -Points = Big camp site, the later you get there the more you will be pushed towards the back of the site, its a very long way back to the entrance! Its also a long way to walk up to the Grandstands, but you can get the Noddy Train (free). Not a fully secure site, Pikeys always seem to be lurking around. Sunday evening, loads of them enter the site taking anything not bolted down! Get to know your neighbors well and look out for each others stuff.
There are many other sites if you look on the ACO website, but tickets do seem to go early. There always seems to be tickets for sale on eBay nearer the time too
You get the usual touts at the main entrance to the circuit too Friday / Saturday. Camping Houx
Not to be confused with 'Houx Annex' This is a concrete walled campsite with Numbered Pitches, when you turn up at the gate a marshal guides you to your pitch. Some pitches are good some should not be pitches at all
If its dry and sunny the road becomes a dust bath. The ground is fairly firm and can be a pain getting tent pegs into ground. But it is in a good location and you can walk into the pit grandstand area easily from here. Its fairly secure but not foolproof, (I have had stuff nicked from here Some areas of this site also have power, this consists of white concrete blocks with a couple of camping power points on and a water tap. Its really funny seeing how people share the power out of these, you can have up to 6 or 7 multi pin plugs coming off one power point There is a brick Shower block in the middle of the camp and a sort of Cafe!!!! These are open through the weekend. Part of the site is in a tree covered area and the other part is an open area.+ Points = Central Location, easy walking distance to pit and grandstands, showers, toilets, Sort of cafe! Fairly secure!
- Points = French security, can be dusty if very dry, because of the entrance location you have to run the gauntlet of the idiots at the Houx Roundabout! Make sure your roofs up doors locked and windows up! You may also be stopped and expected to perform wheel spins! There have been several accidents at the T junction near the site entrance, some almost fatal, Its the french rule priority from the right! Be warned! Tickets are hard to get for this site unless you book a package with one of the tour operators or join the ACO and book tickets with them directly well in advance (10 to 12 months).
That will do for now, my fingers are aching!
Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 27th January 19:14
Beeznitch I read those too and whilst they offer a good comparison, the reality is that all campsites have pluses and minuses. Like I said, as a first timer any of the sites will probably suffice and you'll have a smashing time.
We're probably not booking site tickets this time and just rocking up and getting whatever is left (most likely BSJ again, but it was excellent, if not a little dusty at times:
We're probably not booking site tickets this time and just rocking up and getting whatever is left (most likely BSJ again, but it was excellent, if not a little dusty at times:
As already stated all the campsites have advantages or disadvantages, price is usually the best way to rate them the guides are sometimes less than honest, the guys from beer mountain who use our campsites do not give it a good write up, but are always there, when asked why the less that great write up their reply was "tickets for here are hard enough to get now".
Anyway some camping tickets are still available from most agencies, the ACO and the tourist office in Le mans so no excuss, get a ticket, book the ferry and experience the joy of Le mans for the first time.
Anyway some camping tickets are still available from most agencies, the ACO and the tourist office in Le mans so no excuss, get a ticket, book the ferry and experience the joy of Le mans for the first time.
BSJ? Don't mention 2007.... :O
I'd take a look at all of the organisers you've mentioned and see what you get for your money and how much they charge. There are differences, but some are (imho) minimal, i.e. security - although this depends on your party and cars.. and a bar.. Not needed imho - we manage fine with a super large coolbox and ice.
I'd take a look at all of the organisers you've mentioned and see what you get for your money and how much they charge. There are differences, but some are (imho) minimal, i.e. security - although this depends on your party and cars.. and a bar.. Not needed imho - we manage fine with a super large coolbox and ice.
fatboy18 said:
Campsites at Le mans depend massively on the weather
Beausejour
This is basically grass fields which get the grass cut prior to race week. The ground is fairly soft. The entrance in and out can be a real bottle neck at the best of times. There is a small Noddy train that runs between sites and this train stops at the Beausejour site. If its really dry the road in and out of the site can become really dusty. If its wet it becomes a bloody mud bath
+ points, contrary to what is said on here by many, you can just turn up,Thursday/Friday, pay for a camping permit at the entrance and purchase your general entrance ticketsIve done this a few times, Its a hike, but you can walk into Arnage for a few beers if you fancy it. Viewing points Porsche Curves, you can also nip down to Arnage corner and watch the cars there (slowest part of the track and you see the cars close up)
-Points = Big camp site, the later you get there the more you will be pushed towards the back of the site, its a very long way back to the entrance! Its also a long way to walk up to the Grandstands, but you can get the Noddy Train (free). Not a fully secure site, Pikeys always seem to be lurking around. Sunday evening, loads of them enter the site taking anything not bolted down! Get to know your neighbors well and look out for each others stuff.
There are many other sites if you look on the ACO website, but tickets do seem to go early. There always seems to be tickets for sale on eBay nearer the time too You get the usual touts at the main entrance to the circuit too Friday / Saturday.
Camping Houx
Not to be confused with 'Houx Annex' This is a concrete walled campsite with Numbered Pitches, when you turn up at the gate a marshal guides you to your pitch. Some pitches are good some should not be pitches at all If its dry and sunny the road becomes a dust bath. The ground is fairly firm and can be a pain getting tent pegs into ground. But it is in a good location and you can walk into the pit grandstand area easily from here. Its fairly secure but not foolproof, (I have had stuff nicked from here Some areas of this site also have power, this consists of white concrete blocks with a couple of camping power points on and a water tap. Its really funny seeing how people share the power out of these, you can have up to 6 or 7 multi pin plugs coming off one power point There is a brick Shower block in the middle of the camp and a sort of Cafe!!!! These are open through the weekend. Part of the site is in a tree covered area and the other part is an open area.
+ Points = Central Location, easy walking distance to pit and grandstands, showers, toilets, Sort of cafe! Fairly secure!
- Points = French security, can be dusty if very dry, because of the entrance location you have to run the gauntlet of the idiots at the Houx Roundabout! Make sure your roofs up doors locked and windows up! You may also be stopped and expected to perform wheel spins! There have been several accidents at the T junction near the site entrance, some almost fatal, Its the french rule priority from the right! Be warned! Tickets are hard to get for this site unless you book a package with one of the tour operators or join the ACO and book tickets with them directly well in advance (10 to 12 months).
That will do for now, my fingers are aching!
Have been going to Houx for years,(through tour op MRI) and can agree with the above. We've been fornuate to choose our spaces, so have not had a 'dustbowl' space so far. Have to book early to get best pitches. (Spaces are marked off & numbered) Power points are useful for keeping the beer cold tho! Never had any stuff nicked so far but if staying till Monday, make an early exit before the 'local gyps'come in and take anything they can get their hands on !Beausejour
This is basically grass fields which get the grass cut prior to race week. The ground is fairly soft. The entrance in and out can be a real bottle neck at the best of times. There is a small Noddy train that runs between sites and this train stops at the Beausejour site. If its really dry the road in and out of the site can become really dusty. If its wet it becomes a bloody mud bath
+ points, contrary to what is said on here by many, you can just turn up,Thursday/Friday, pay for a camping permit at the entrance and purchase your general entrance tickets
Ive done this a few times, Its a hike, but you can walk into Arnage for a few beers if you fancy it. Viewing points Porsche Curves, you can also nip down to Arnage corner and watch the cars there (slowest part of the track and you see the cars close up) -Points = Big camp site, the later you get there the more you will be pushed towards the back of the site, its a very long way back to the entrance! Its also a long way to walk up to the Grandstands, but you can get the Noddy Train (free). Not a fully secure site, Pikeys always seem to be lurking around. Sunday evening, loads of them enter the site taking anything not bolted down! Get to know your neighbors well and look out for each others stuff.
There are many other sites if you look on the ACO website, but tickets do seem to go early. There always seems to be tickets for sale on eBay nearer the time too
You get the usual touts at the main entrance to the circuit too Friday / Saturday. Camping Houx
Not to be confused with 'Houx Annex' This is a concrete walled campsite with Numbered Pitches, when you turn up at the gate a marshal guides you to your pitch. Some pitches are good some should not be pitches at all
If its dry and sunny the road becomes a dust bath. The ground is fairly firm and can be a pain getting tent pegs into ground. But it is in a good location and you can walk into the pit grandstand area easily from here. Its fairly secure but not foolproof, (I have had stuff nicked from here Some areas of this site also have power, this consists of white concrete blocks with a couple of camping power points on and a water tap. Its really funny seeing how people share the power out of these, you can have up to 6 or 7 multi pin plugs coming off one power point There is a brick Shower block in the middle of the camp and a sort of Cafe!!!! These are open through the weekend. Part of the site is in a tree covered area and the other part is an open area.+ Points = Central Location, easy walking distance to pit and grandstands, showers, toilets, Sort of cafe! Fairly secure!
- Points = French security, can be dusty if very dry, because of the entrance location you have to run the gauntlet of the idiots at the Houx Roundabout! Make sure your roofs up doors locked and windows up! You may also be stopped and expected to perform wheel spins! There have been several accidents at the T junction near the site entrance, some almost fatal, Its the french rule priority from the right! Be warned! Tickets are hard to get for this site unless you book a package with one of the tour operators or join the ACO and book tickets with them directly well in advance (10 to 12 months).
That will do for now, my fingers are aching!
Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 27th January 19:14
left it too late for Houx this year, so will be in Nord
Have done :
Parking Bleu (1)
Houx Annexe (1)
Maison Blanche x 2
Camping Bleu x 2
Beasejour x 3
Houx x 3
Out of all of those Houx and MB are the better ones, imho. Saying that, apart from Parking Bleu (it was our first year and we went Fri - Sun) only Beausejour is a let down. The main let down was arriving early and then finding that the Danes had reserved the whole of the nearest field and the next field was a quagmire and cordoned off..
We're in Houx this year Hurrah!
Parking Bleu (1)
Houx Annexe (1)
Maison Blanche x 2
Camping Bleu x 2
Beasejour x 3
Houx x 3
Out of all of those Houx and MB are the better ones, imho. Saying that, apart from Parking Bleu (it was our first year and we went Fri - Sun) only Beausejour is a let down. The main let down was arriving early and then finding that the Danes had reserved the whole of the nearest field and the next field was a quagmire and cordoned off..
We're in Houx this year
Hurrah!If you like camping and want a bit of comfort built in aswell there are a couple of other options to try.
clubmotorsport ........ situated 5/10 mins drive from circuit (no traffic) near a village called guecelard. Safe site, food, parking, entertainment, good atmosphere, Tv for grand prix, proper showers and toilets. Stayed there a few years and enjoyed. Drive in is no great effort.
or about the same distance away there is a permanent campsite in a village called La Suze Sur Sarthe. Haven't stayed at the campsite, but it is a nice village.
clubmotorsport ........ situated 5/10 mins drive from circuit (no traffic) near a village called guecelard. Safe site, food, parking, entertainment, good atmosphere, Tv for grand prix, proper showers and toilets. Stayed there a few years and enjoyed. Drive in is no great effort.
or about the same distance away there is a permanent campsite in a village called La Suze Sur Sarthe. Haven't stayed at the campsite, but it is a nice village.
Id agree with eps. This is my 6th year, Houx for all of them and cannot recommend it highly enough. Normally we go through the TVR car club but the ACO have kinda put paid to that this year so have booked through Team Langoustine. The Houx pitch always seems pretty secure although last year we had a few small items like phones stolen, first time that has happened on site.
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