The Journey to Le Mans

[Darkwater]

Hi.

We're coming to Le Mans for the first time this year and we're wondering if anybody had any good places to stop along the way. Little bars or coffee shops en-route to stretch the legs!!

We're heading down the A28 route from Calais Friday morning.

Any tips for the drive too would be good too. Police hotspots, congested areas ect..

Cheers all

[Nick M]

Go around Rouen to the west rather than going through the city centre. Someone put me onto that idea last year and it was much easier and no slower, even though it adds about 10Km to the journey.

On the A28 from Abbeville you want to take the A29 west as far as Yvetot, then head south so you reconnect with the top of the A28 to the south west of Rouen city centre.

It's a nice drive too and gives a bit of a break from the autoroute.

Other than that, if you head off the A28 south of Rouen and pick up the old road (the N138 as was, now the D438 / D338 (it changes after Alencon)) then you have your pick of small towns, such as Gacé in which to stop for a bite to eat. But it will add time to the journey (obviously) and there are things going on at Le Mans on the Friday such as the pit lane being open to the public, the Pistonheads meet, the Classic British Welcome (which you could possibly take in on your journey down, depending on the timing), etc.

[froglet]

Expect the whole route to be a Police Hotspot if you are coming down on Friday! And the same goes for the return leg whichever day you are heading home, Sunday or Monday.

[Davel]

Agree with avoiding Rouen.

The old town is lovely but the traffic, narrow streets and parking is a nightmare.

Have a good trip!

[Doctor Houx]

We tend to stop at the Buffalo Grill just as you get to Le Mans for "fuel" I recommend the Arizona Burger.

Other than that, it's foot down from the ferry port all the way to the circuit!

[GAZA62]

Recommend Gace for lunch get some nice classics stop there although for some reason was quiet last year then its only another hour to Le Mans

[robmlufc]

GAZA62 said:

Recommend Gace for lunch get some nice classics stop there although for some reason was quiet last year then its only another hour to Le Mans

Is that where there is a nice little bar on the right?

[YRRunner]

GAZA62 said:

Recommend Gace for lunch get some nice classics stop there although for some reason was quiet last year then its only another hour to Le Mans

Yep, but to be fair the weather sucked. We got there for lunch on Wednesday and there were a few TVR's and others. I felt sorry for the couple in the Ariel Atom though! They (and their gear) were pd wet thru. Gace has 2 or 3 pubs/bars and eateries, all around a small village square. The locals speak little English but are good fun nevertheless and always glad to see us. It's a good crack, sat having the 1st beer of the day whilst watching a great selection of cars driving around the square all stickered up. Let's pray for more sun this year though!

[GAZA62]

We normally eat here just around the corner from the square.

[m60ddy]

GAZA62 said:

We normally eat here just around the corner from the square.

I know this place. Went there once and spotted a lovely 250TR hiding in the garage next to an old Jag D I think it was. The sights you see on the trip down are sometimes jaw dropping.

As for By passing Rouan I agree the traffic is a nightmare but you miss the only tunnel on the route, if you are in a line of cars with a thumping sound track that pop, bang and spit flames it will almost make you smile all the way to the end of the bad traffic, (ALMOST!!!)

[Darkwater]

Thank for that. I've had plenty of cars in the past that have gone pop, bang and spat flames.. unfortunately the cause was all for the wrong reasons!!!

How bad is the traffic on the way down generally. we probably won't be hitting Blue Nord until about 4-5 on friday..

[gt6]

trafiic on friday will be light, most of us will have been there for at least 2 days already

[The Leaper]

Darkwater,

My son and I have been going to LM since 1996, always via Calais and always on the Friday. I note you're on a fairly late crossing especially as France is an hour ahead. You will find the roads temptingly light but there will be many hiden BIBs so I would strongly recommend sticking to the legal limits.

A problem for you is that you will be arrriving at the north of LM quite late and a lot of town centre roads will be closed from maybe 300 pm to get ready for the parade: from bitter experience once when we had a central hotel AVOID. If you are camping follow the usual signs to the site which will take you clear of the town centre on to the south side of town where the circuit is but you'll be there with all the other cars doing the same. Get a Le Mans street map is good advice too for finding ways round town anytime especially the Friday. If you want to go into town on Friday afternoon/evening..always a good idea...I suggest using the tram although it'll be very busy.

R.

[Darkwater]

GAZA62 said:

We normally eat here just around the corner from the square.

Where is this exactly?

[NormanD]

Darkwater said:

Where is this exactly?

Gace

[LWT RSR]

Darkwater said:

Where is this exactly?

Great place to stop have a cold stella or two and show off all that swiss wax handy work.