The East Side of the circuit....advice please

[wsn03]

Hello
Going to Le Mans this year but doing things differently- im with someone who wants to avoid crowds.

Whenever ive watched on TV the East side of the circuit is really quiet. I want to see the vantage points from Mulsane straight onwards.

Can anyone recommend best spots to watch please? We have bicycles.

Thanks

[FredericRobinson]

None of the viewing areas are exactly quiet, if you want to avoid the worst of the crush you could try the Esses / Tertre Rouge areas, there's a lot of good viewing spots, but there'll still be plenty of other people

[Jos Notstoppen]

The straight as such is pretty much closed for public access from Tetre Rouge onwards. There is only a public viewing area at the cafe/Chinese about half way down until the Mulsanne corner.
It may be possible to walk through the woods with a good map and a bit of luck but these areas are patrolled by police with dogs who will send you back.

[wsn03]

Im talking about the chicanes on the Mulsane straight, Mulsane corner? On tv they always have a handful of spectators compared to the viewing in the Bugatti circuit. Anyone been this far out? Is there any viewing on the chicanes?

[leyorkie]

Where you see a handful of spectators it's usually someone's garden or business that backs onto the circuit not an official viewing area.
Mulsanne or Arnage are the only official viewing areas. Generally quieter ( but still busy) than inside the circuit as there's very little in the way of facilities, catering or publicity stands etc.
IMHO it's not possible to avoid the crowds it is after all a popular event.

[delta0]

The 2 chicanes are called PlayStation and Michelin. Most of the Mulsanne straight is inaccessible by the public. You can see little bits from some restaurants/cafes/hotels. Tetra Rouge and Mulsanne corner are the 2 areas that are easily accessible. Indianapolis/Arnage further around has a good high speed, braking and corner viewing spot.

[MG Mark]

It's also about timings, which might help - most places will be relatively "rammed" in the couple of hours before and after the start and the couple before the finish. Outside those times the crowds reduce. The main grandstand area is v.atmospheric from late evening onwards as it gets dark.

One area on the west side that's normally fairly unpopulated at all times is the Maison Blanche spectating area at the Porsche curves end of it

[gt6]

Quite area's will be hard to find, as said the TV views with area's showing few people will be closed to the general public, Tertre rouge will be packed at the start and finish but like all area's during the race there will be quite periods.

[wsn03]

Thanks for all the replies. People is ok, just out to avoid the massive crowds. Ive never done the East side so thanks for the tips on here. Im very familiar with all the track stuff and the eatery on the Mulsane straight.

Just Mulsane corner and Arnage sounds like the place for us on this occasion.
Watched a you tube video from inside of Mulsane corner, pretty sparse, lots of sitting room on the whole.

Does anyone know if the Mulsane chicanes have viewing allowed?

[sahajesh]

wsn03 said:

Does anyone know if the Mulsane chicanes have viewing allowed?

Never seen viewing there, just Hotel Arbor after 2nd chicane, but that's of the straight/kink and not the chicane.

[Bobo W]

You'll have to pay to get into the Hotel D'abor but in return you get a baguette, beer and viewing at the 2nd chicane up to the kink

If you go to Cafe des Hunadieres and buy some food / drinks you can view from the top floor bedroom leading up to the the 1st chicane - aside from the abiding memory of the naked man wearing a pinny and riding a go-ped towards Houx Annex roundabout this is the best thing you'll see at Le Mans

[wsn03]

Bobo W said:

You'll have to pay to get into the Hotel D'abor but in return you get a baguette, beer and viewing at the 2nd chicane up to the kink

If you go to Cafe des Hunadieres and buy some food / drinks you can view from the top floor bedroom leading up to the the 1st chicane -

Is this the first place on the Mulsane straight?
The one that has Auberges Des Huadieres written on it? I eat there in the courtyard if so

[Bobo W]

wsn03 said:

Bobo W said:

You'll have to pay to get into the Hotel D'abor but in return you get a baguette, beer and viewing at the 2nd chicane up to the kink

If you go to Cafe des Hunadieres and buy some food / drinks you can view from the top floor bedroom leading up to the the 1st chicane -

Is this the first place on the Mulsane straight?
The one that has Auberges Des Huadieres written on it? I eat there in the courtyard if so

Yes, FWIW they do a great breakfast also

[wsn03]

Bobo W said:

Yes, FWIW they do a great breakfast also

Great thank you.

My plan is to stay West on day 1 (accepting the crowds)...heading to the cafe in the evening for one of their excellent set menu dinners.

Day 2 however we'll head to Hotel D'arbour for lunch and a good view of the circuit, and probably finish of at Mulsane Corner or Arnage.

Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 18th April 15:51