What's it like
Discussion
Hi all,
Obviously over for 2017 but I'm interested to hear/see people's experiences of going to the event and staying over. I've read a lot about different camp sites and what to expect but wanted to hear from the people who go what it's really like and if you have any photo's/inside knowledge you can share with someone who has never been.
Discussing with friends it might be something we plan to partake in next time but no idea where to start with planning/places to start, when to go, suitable mode of transport and generally useful advice to a newbie on this subject
Cheers
Obviously over for 2017 but I'm interested to hear/see people's experiences of going to the event and staying over. I've read a lot about different camp sites and what to expect but wanted to hear from the people who go what it's really like and if you have any photo's/inside knowledge you can share with someone who has never been.
Discussing with friends it might be something we plan to partake in next time but no idea where to start with planning/places to start, when to go, suitable mode of transport and generally useful advice to a newbie on this subject
Cheers
There are lots of threads here about the merits of one campsite over another, and also check out beermountain.com.
Ask yourself if you want to stay onsite or locally, either at a chateau or a hotel. Then ask yourself if you want public camping or are prepared to pay for one of the private sites where you can go as far as booking foid and tents so you literally just have to turn up!
Ask yourself if you want to stay onsite or locally, either at a chateau or a hotel. Then ask yourself if you want public camping or are prepared to pay for one of the private sites where you can go as far as booking foid and tents so you literally just have to turn up!
Edited by chrisr111r on Wednesday 21st June 13:35
After 30 years of wanting to go but for various reasons never having been able to, this year I broke my Le Mans cherry; a 50th Birthday treat for me and an 18th Birthday treat for my son.
We left it to the last minute only booking four weeks ago via Travel Destinations and I think for a first timer, booking through a specialist agent is the way to go. The options and considerations are overwhelming (though good advice to be found on PH) so in the end, I just thought “sod it” and booked a pitch at Blu Nord and general access tickets.
I'd heard and read horror stories of chavs drifting into tents but I saw nothing anywhere close to this. All was calm!
I had thought this would be a one-off tick on the bucket list thing but we are already looking at options for 2018!
My advice is just book and go and see for yourself.
Some newbie observations:
Site staff: Having grown used to grumpy car park marshals and gate staff and the like at UK circuits, I was very pleasantly surprised by how nice they all were.
Bogs and Showers: I don’t know how many people were accommodated at Blu Nord but four showers and eight chod bins is nowhere near enough. I’m taking a bucket and shovel next year!
Getting around. Several times we drove to Anarge and Mulsanne and parked up without any delay or problem despite warnings of doom should this even be attempted.
Driver’s parade: Good for the vibe but I think I could take it or leave in the future – there’s only so many free crap you can stuff in your pockets.
We left it to the last minute only booking four weeks ago via Travel Destinations and I think for a first timer, booking through a specialist agent is the way to go. The options and considerations are overwhelming (though good advice to be found on PH) so in the end, I just thought “sod it” and booked a pitch at Blu Nord and general access tickets.
I'd heard and read horror stories of chavs drifting into tents but I saw nothing anywhere close to this. All was calm!
I had thought this would be a one-off tick on the bucket list thing but we are already looking at options for 2018!
My advice is just book and go and see for yourself.
Some newbie observations:
Site staff: Having grown used to grumpy car park marshals and gate staff and the like at UK circuits, I was very pleasantly surprised by how nice they all were.
Bogs and Showers: I don’t know how many people were accommodated at Blu Nord but four showers and eight chod bins is nowhere near enough. I’m taking a bucket and shovel next year!
Getting around. Several times we drove to Anarge and Mulsanne and parked up without any delay or problem despite warnings of doom should this even be attempted.
Driver’s parade: Good for the vibe but I think I could take it or leave in the future – there’s only so many free crap you can stuff in your pockets.
For the first time, just take it easy with the minimal of gear, drive down in a sensible car etc.
Any of the official sites are good, some like Beausejour and the Porsche Curves are a further walk from the circuit but otherwise no better/worse than the other sites.
You have practice/qualifying for the main race on Weds and Thursday evenings, socialising on Friday and the race from 3pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday.
People arrive equally Monday to Friday, so whatever is easiest for you regarding time off work, most people leave Sunday evening.
Just book something and work out what bits you like or dislike and use that as the plan for 2019.
Any of the official sites are good, some like Beausejour and the Porsche Curves are a further walk from the circuit but otherwise no better/worse than the other sites.
You have practice/qualifying for the main race on Weds and Thursday evenings, socialising on Friday and the race from 3pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday.
People arrive equally Monday to Friday, so whatever is easiest for you regarding time off work, most people leave Sunday evening.
Just book something and work out what bits you like or dislike and use that as the plan for 2019.
We went a bit posher than previous years.
2015 was Speedchills Beausejour - packed, fun, lively, long walk to the track - gated/fenced secure site with food, drink, well maintained toilets/showers and a TV screen.
2016 was 1st Tickets Blue Nord - same as above really but less of a walk... the only mistake that year was heading down Friday and coming back before the race ended (?!!)
This year we went 1st Tickets Premier Vert. Same facilities as above but inside the track, quieter and more mature....in fact it was us that proved to be the ones complained about... despite the fact we didn't so much as play music... This site is literally within stumbling distance of the Dunlop curves, and 10 mins from the main village/bars/shops.
If there was a down side it was the fact that everyone's cars had to be parked away from the tents (no way around it though)....so there was nothing to wander and drool around...
Couldn't fault it for organisation. Location was spot on, but a little fun/atmosphere wouldn't have gone amiss... just a little....oh and more shade and a breeze....
The real difference was travelling down early Wednesday...stopping near Caen at a lovely chateau with a pool...then getting up Thursday for an unstressed short drive to the site....having the rest of Thursday and Friday to bed in....watch the main event...and leave Monday and again, take the scenic non-motorway route back....no police, no stress, lovely country cafes and restaurants.... and despite missing our allotted train, the Lemans carnage at Calais was still in place, so we were just put on the next available....
This reduction of rush and anxiety transformed the whole deal.
That and a convoy made up of 675LT, Aventador, 430 Scud, R8 V10, 991 C4S, 991 S, 996 C2, Astra VXR and Audi Rs4 Avant....nothing about that trip will be forgotten in a hurry
2015 was Speedchills Beausejour - packed, fun, lively, long walk to the track - gated/fenced secure site with food, drink, well maintained toilets/showers and a TV screen.
2016 was 1st Tickets Blue Nord - same as above really but less of a walk... the only mistake that year was heading down Friday and coming back before the race ended (?!!)
This year we went 1st Tickets Premier Vert. Same facilities as above but inside the track, quieter and more mature....in fact it was us that proved to be the ones complained about... despite the fact we didn't so much as play music... This site is literally within stumbling distance of the Dunlop curves, and 10 mins from the main village/bars/shops.
If there was a down side it was the fact that everyone's cars had to be parked away from the tents (no way around it though)....so there was nothing to wander and drool around...
Couldn't fault it for organisation. Location was spot on, but a little fun/atmosphere wouldn't have gone amiss... just a little....oh and more shade and a breeze....
The real difference was travelling down early Wednesday...stopping near Caen at a lovely chateau with a pool...then getting up Thursday for an unstressed short drive to the site....having the rest of Thursday and Friday to bed in....watch the main event...and leave Monday and again, take the scenic non-motorway route back....no police, no stress, lovely country cafes and restaurants.... and despite missing our allotted train, the Lemans carnage at Calais was still in place, so we were just put on the next available....
This reduction of rush and anxiety transformed the whole deal.
That and a convoy made up of 675LT, Aventador, 430 Scud, R8 V10, 991 C4S, 991 S, 996 C2, Astra VXR and Audi Rs4 Avant....nothing about that trip will be forgotten in a hurry
Truckosaurus said:
drive down in a sensible car etc.
??? The drive is the best bit. Take the best/most bonkers car you can. We were in my Cerbera this year for the 5th time. I don't think that's sensible! Nor my Tuscan that we took for 2 or 3 trips, or my Dax rush we took one year. Stick below 100mph on the A28 to Rouen. Plot an off piste route from Rouen and get your foot down. Make sure you observe the speed limit through towns and villages. You simply cannot drive in the UK as you can on French roads (not anywhere near where I live anyway), too much traffic, too many speed cameras, rubbish road surfaces. The drive to (and the first 30 or so miles from) Le Mans is the most fun in my TVR that I have all year.
Grandstand seats are well worth it the money. We were in Tribune 19 this year and had a great view. We camp off site and drive/taxi in to the circuit. Make sure you have a little FM radio with you so you can keep up with the race via Le Mans Radio.
Avoid merguez sausages on Friday!
First time for us too - 6 people, 3 cars and 6 bikes. Village On The Curves with www.lycianevents.com which is on the Porsche Curves right next to the track (our particular pitch put us closer to the cars racing on track than my shed is to my house at home!). We wandered 1 minute just outside to stand/sit on the mound further round the curves, looking towards the Michelin bridge (just opposite the Porsche hospitality on the outside of the track. No queues for toilets, occasional slight queue for showers at peak times (maybe 2 or 3 people max stood outside a 6 person block = under 5 minutes?), I never had to wait though. They have a mini boutique area with hairdryers & mirrors (which none of us needed), there's a full cafe and bar on site (sensibly priced beer, all sterling), with large TVs showing all the racing, lots of nice cars safely parked, no rowdiness and a free shuttle minibus to the track or the tram station (for getting to the town). They do offer ready-erected tents and campervan/motorhome pitches and a discount package on food (I didn't go for this as I wanted to explore rather than save 10-15% or whatever and have to stay in the same place to benefit). Oh, and you park next to your tent too.
Bicycles are well worth taking - you are allowed to go anywhere that pedestrians go. We actually got used to dodging the marshals and riding through tunnels where they only wanted cars to go because it was faster than riding at barely above walking pace at the bottle-necks because we didn't have bells on our handlebars - so a good idea to fit one.
We went by ferry as I prefer the 90 minute break in a comfy environment to paying more to be stuck in your car in a railway carriage and coming from Cheshire it's a decent journey-break in both directions. Definitely worth paying £12 for priority boarding (we were put at the very front, 3-wide, hence first off) and £10 each for the VIP lounge with unlimited free prosecco, tea, coffee, snack, fruit, newspapers, big sofas (as in lie completely flat) and no kids (under 8's not allowed). It seats about 150 and we shared it with 1 guy on the way out (2pm Wednesday) and about 6-7 people on the way back (13.55 Monday) - I'm bewildered why more people don't use it. I'd consider a south-west ferry crossing instead but there was next to no availability when I booked (March) and it was a lot dearer (c£4-500 for a car with 4 people and mandatory cabin), compared to just £80 return for car and 4 people Dover-Calais (priority boarding and VIP is extra). Bit of a queue for border crossing in Calais on Monday (10-15 minutes total) but we had to wait for the boat anyway so it made no difference.
I can't say I saw all the campsites but of those I did see there weren't any that looked more appealing and some had properly raucous behaviour (Volvo estate smoking its tyres back and forth around a site very close to tents at up to probably 40mph) so other than looking at staying off site (hotel/airBnB etc) I don't think I'd look anywhere else for the next visit. It was maybe 5-10minutes ride to the paddock area and village and all that action, but I didn't see any other sites that were right next to the track (nearest tent was barely 10 metres from cars going 150mph).
Bicycles are well worth taking - you are allowed to go anywhere that pedestrians go. We actually got used to dodging the marshals and riding through tunnels where they only wanted cars to go because it was faster than riding at barely above walking pace at the bottle-necks because we didn't have bells on our handlebars - so a good idea to fit one.
We went by ferry as I prefer the 90 minute break in a comfy environment to paying more to be stuck in your car in a railway carriage and coming from Cheshire it's a decent journey-break in both directions. Definitely worth paying £12 for priority boarding (we were put at the very front, 3-wide, hence first off) and £10 each for the VIP lounge with unlimited free prosecco, tea, coffee, snack, fruit, newspapers, big sofas (as in lie completely flat) and no kids (under 8's not allowed). It seats about 150 and we shared it with 1 guy on the way out (2pm Wednesday) and about 6-7 people on the way back (13.55 Monday) - I'm bewildered why more people don't use it. I'd consider a south-west ferry crossing instead but there was next to no availability when I booked (March) and it was a lot dearer (c£4-500 for a car with 4 people and mandatory cabin), compared to just £80 return for car and 4 people Dover-Calais (priority boarding and VIP is extra). Bit of a queue for border crossing in Calais on Monday (10-15 minutes total) but we had to wait for the boat anyway so it made no difference.
I can't say I saw all the campsites but of those I did see there weren't any that looked more appealing and some had properly raucous behaviour (Volvo estate smoking its tyres back and forth around a site very close to tents at up to probably 40mph) so other than looking at staying off site (hotel/airBnB etc) I don't think I'd look anywhere else for the next visit. It was maybe 5-10minutes ride to the paddock area and village and all that action, but I didn't see any other sites that were right next to the track (nearest tent was barely 10 metres from cars going 150mph).
Peages are pretty dull and the plod are sneaky and if you're caught you will be taken off to a cash machine. I do get a bit jealous seeing some of the nice cars but I much prefer taking a practical car/van now as I can take what I like. Bikes are invaluable to get around on and beat traffic. Otherwise it takes ages walking everywhere.
As for booking you can book camping via ACO/Le mans website when they are released to general public but you will probably miss out on the sites closest to the circuit. Otherwise agents sell them on at a slightly higher price.
Toilets and showers are a lot better than they were and cleaners regularly clean them.
Also there are a few bike rental places at campsites.
As for booking you can book camping via ACO/Le mans website when they are released to general public but you will probably miss out on the sites closest to the circuit. Otherwise agents sell them on at a slightly higher price.
Toilets and showers are a lot better than they were and cleaners regularly clean them.
Also there are a few bike rental places at campsites.
Edited by joema on Wednesday 21st June 14:40
Edited by joema on Wednesday 21st June 14:43
I've been in my Midget every time since 2003
Who needs anything more?
French roads can be amazing, did you know they fix them when they wear out
How odd is that?
A peage tag is the best thing for singleton Brit sports car drivers though, 'tain't easy to reach over to the pay windows
It is a noisy place though,as well as the music.
They keep driving cars round all night, no mannners some folks
GO
Its brilliant
Who needs anything more?
French roads can be amazing, did you know they fix them when they wear out
How odd is that?
A peage tag is the best thing for singleton Brit sports car drivers though, 'tain't easy to reach over to the pay windows
It is a noisy place though,as well as the music.
They keep driving cars round all night, no mannners some folks
GO
Its brilliant
Just done my 3rd trip, and finished my exploring. I stayed in one of the mentioned posh sites - personally I hate the whole mass campsite thing but everyone does it. Nothing wrong with the upmarket ones, seems the more you pay the better the set up...its just not my thing - bit too much of a packaged holiday for me.
I like the East side of the circuit because its really quiet. I like eating French food, viewing where its scenic, and preferably staying somewhere scenic. I've now found my ideal place, a very quiet site owned by a local in very scenic area very near to my favourite part of the circuit...very happy, I can finally experience it the way I always imagined I would. Roll on the next trip.
If you like mass crowds, fast cars, tents, beer tents and all that stuff the main campsites are spot on. The organised ones are a real step up, the expensive ones offer amazing service.
If you like seclusion you're going to be disappointed. However if that is the case pm me for details, don't really want to publish my quiet finds on a public site in case they become too popular! If there's a few of you I'd suggest one of the organised ones mentioned in this thread, just to experience the whole camping site thing - worth doing at least once.
Bring a bicycle.
I like the East side of the circuit because its really quiet. I like eating French food, viewing where its scenic, and preferably staying somewhere scenic. I've now found my ideal place, a very quiet site owned by a local in very scenic area very near to my favourite part of the circuit...very happy, I can finally experience it the way I always imagined I would. Roll on the next trip.
If you like mass crowds, fast cars, tents, beer tents and all that stuff the main campsites are spot on. The organised ones are a real step up, the expensive ones offer amazing service.
If you like seclusion you're going to be disappointed. However if that is the case pm me for details, don't really want to publish my quiet finds on a public site in case they become too popular! If there's a few of you I'd suggest one of the organised ones mentioned in this thread, just to experience the whole camping site thing - worth doing at least once.
Bring a bicycle.
Edited by wsn03 on Wednesday 21st June 15:17
Edited by wsn03 on Wednesday 21st June 15:19
Quickmoose said:
This year we went 1st Tickets Premier Vert. Same facilities as above but inside the track, quieter and more mature....in fact it was us that proved to be the ones complained about... despite the fact we didn't so much as play music... This site is literally within stumbling distance of the Dunlop curves, and 10 mins from the main village/bars/shops.
If there was a down side it was the fact that everyone's cars had to be parked away from the tents (no way around it though)....so there was nothing to wander and drool around...
Couldn't fault it for organisation. Location was spot on, but a little fun/atmosphere wouldn't have gone amiss... just a little....oh and more shade and a breeze....
We ventured up to Premier Vert this year as we were given a free beer token when checking into Blue Nord sister site, and wondered what it would be like as it appeared to be a smaller version of the BN version. The no cars on site thing isn't ideal but they are very close in what appears to be the MM arena car park, and the Team Langoustine site backs on to PV and allows onsite parking. I also spotted the Thomas Cook site nestled in behind what I assume is the public Houx site (by the bridge over the Bugatti circuit) and had a friend with Lycian who could stand on the bank and pan from tent to cars on track - must've been soooo noisy!If there was a down side it was the fact that everyone's cars had to be parked away from the tents (no way around it though)....so there was nothing to wander and drool around...
Couldn't fault it for organisation. Location was spot on, but a little fun/atmosphere wouldn't have gone amiss... just a little....oh and more shade and a breeze....
Thanks so far, so in summary:
Go down a day or two before and stay somewhere close by (and preferably nice to add extra chilled out factor) and will break up the journey nicely.
Camp Sites on site are perfectly acceptable and ok to go with (Showers/Toilets questionable but that's camping)
Transport: The louder the better. My main concern for this was not the number of seats needed, simply someone else commented on this thread that they had suffered damage from drunken idiots so I was a little concerned that taking to take precious metal over something we wouldn't care about. I don't have an exotic choice compared to some but still, it's my pride and joy.
Do not take the motorway, take the scenic route
Someone mentioned booking through an agent, without names (it if name are allowed) anyone know a business I can Froogle to get in touch
Also, anyone got photos to share its always good to see your setup.....
Go down a day or two before and stay somewhere close by (and preferably nice to add extra chilled out factor) and will break up the journey nicely.
Camp Sites on site are perfectly acceptable and ok to go with (Showers/Toilets questionable but that's camping)
Transport: The louder the better. My main concern for this was not the number of seats needed, simply someone else commented on this thread that they had suffered damage from drunken idiots so I was a little concerned that taking to take precious metal over something we wouldn't care about. I don't have an exotic choice compared to some but still, it's my pride and joy.
Do not take the motorway, take the scenic route
Someone mentioned booking through an agent, without names (it if name are allowed) anyone know a business I can Froogle to get in touch
Also, anyone got photos to share its always good to see your setup.....
Eth2312 said:
Thanks so far, so in summary:
Someone mentioned booking through an agent, without names (it if name are allowed) anyone know a business I can Froogle to get in touch
Also, anyone got photos to share its always good to see your setup.....
I booked through Travel Destinations. Very good.Someone mentioned booking through an agent, without names (it if name are allowed) anyone know a business I can Froogle to get in touch
Also, anyone got photos to share its always good to see your setup.....
Below is our humble campsite on Blu Nord. One thing to note is that the pitch sizes are 5 x 7m which my Merc' and two little tents filled. Lots of people seemed to have booked two adjoining pitches which we'll definitely do next year. Those tents are way too small!
To give you an idea, you can just about see the big wheel to left on the horizon which is where the nearest entrance is - about a 6-7 minute walk from our pitch.
One last tip is to get a power inverter. There's no electrical hookups on the site and hardly any accessible sockets you can plug into anywhere at the circuit other than at restaurants.
One more....noise cancelling headphones. Campsites can be noisy places even when the cars aren't on circuit so if you do value a bit of shut-eye; they are invaluable!
Edited by StevieBee on Wednesday 21st June 16:12
Edited by StevieBee on Wednesday 21st June 16:16
Give a few of the above a call now or in a couple of weeks time (no joke!) and at least get on their 'interested' list. It's amazing how the time suddenly goes. Especially when people say they want to go but then when it comes to paying are not so full of bravado...
It really depends on what you like doing in terms of accommodation arrangements. do you have all the camping kit and do you like camping for instance?
It also depends on your prior motorsport experience.
How much holiday can you take or are you willing to take and how many people would be in your group?
Most of the campsites are 'okay'... I think Houx and Houx Annexe can get a bit lively these days and I suspect that Beausejour can be a bit hit and miss as it's so big and varied. i.e. Most are numbered pitches, so you usually end up camping with people from the same country, or possibly within 1 or 2 rows of the campsite, but of course not always. Beausejour (afaik) is completely un-numbered and so you will mostly camp with people who arrived at the same time as you.
It depends on you really. I'd camp in most, apart from Beausejour - but then others will be the complete opposite. Some like to travel with a car club and some like to be in private campsites.
We've camped in Epinettes a couple of times and found it suits us.
The facilities in general are way better than they used to be, the Tram really helps things and a few extra supermarche here and there are a real bonus.
You can even pay for fuel with an English Credit or Debit Card now! (for those that remember the good old days....)
ETA : as mentioned above the pitches are mostly 7x5m - we tend to bank on 1 pitch to 2 people. So if 10 go, get 5 pitches, etc... obviously this is vehicle dependent as well.
It really depends on what you like doing in terms of accommodation arrangements. do you have all the camping kit and do you like camping for instance?
It also depends on your prior motorsport experience.
How much holiday can you take or are you willing to take and how many people would be in your group?
Most of the campsites are 'okay'... I think Houx and Houx Annexe can get a bit lively these days and I suspect that Beausejour can be a bit hit and miss as it's so big and varied. i.e. Most are numbered pitches, so you usually end up camping with people from the same country, or possibly within 1 or 2 rows of the campsite, but of course not always. Beausejour (afaik) is completely un-numbered and so you will mostly camp with people who arrived at the same time as you.
It depends on you really. I'd camp in most, apart from Beausejour - but then others will be the complete opposite. Some like to travel with a car club and some like to be in private campsites.
We've camped in Epinettes a couple of times and found it suits us.
The facilities in general are way better than they used to be, the Tram really helps things and a few extra supermarche here and there are a real bonus.
You can even pay for fuel with an English Credit or Debit Card now! (for those that remember the good old days....)
ETA : as mentioned above the pitches are mostly 7x5m - we tend to bank on 1 pitch to 2 people. So if 10 go, get 5 pitches, etc... obviously this is vehicle dependent as well.
I only took a few pictures a few short videos. Here's nearly all of them (except videos and ones of ourselves which will be of no interest to you!):
Front of the ferry
Posh camping (I took this for my wife's benefit, to compare to Glastonbury)
Full access to the pre-grid (having come in near the kart track)
Half lego full size 919
Some cars outside the hotel where we lunched on Friday (F40, Singer, Carrera GT, early 911, Ford GT (as driven by the Vice President of Ford)
The start from the open to all bar overlooking the pits:
Michelin bridge from Porsche Curves mound at about 2am during a Safety car
Full pit wall just before the finish (again from the bar)
Parc Ferme (after the finish we'd gone for food and cycled a lap of the track so likely around 5-6pm)
Thick tyre snot on the kerbs (not all from my bicycle!)
Close parking
Front of the ferry
Posh camping (I took this for my wife's benefit, to compare to Glastonbury)
Full access to the pre-grid (having come in near the kart track)
Half lego full size 919
Some cars outside the hotel where we lunched on Friday (F40, Singer, Carrera GT, early 911, Ford GT (as driven by the Vice President of Ford)
The start from the open to all bar overlooking the pits:
Michelin bridge from Porsche Curves mound at about 2am during a Safety car
Full pit wall just before the finish (again from the bar)
Parc Ferme (after the finish we'd gone for food and cycled a lap of the track so likely around 5-6pm)
Thick tyre snot on the kerbs (not all from my bicycle!)
Close parking
eps said:
Give a few of the above a call now or in a couple of weeks time (no joke!) and at least get on their 'interested' list. It's amazing how the time suddenly goes. Especially when people say they want to go but then when it comes to paying are not so full of bravado...
It really depends on what you like doing in terms of accommodation arrangements. do you have all the camping kit and do you like camping for instance?
It also depends on your prior motorsport experience.
How much holiday can you take or are you willing to take and how many people would be in your group?
Most of the campsites are 'okay'... I think Houx and Houx Annexe can get a bit lively these days and I suspect that Beausejour can be a bit hit and miss as it's so big and varied. i.e. Most are numbered pitches, so you usually end up camping with people from the same country, or possibly within 1 or 2 rows of the campsite, but of course not always. Beausejour (afaik) is completely un-numbered and so you will mostly camp with people who arrived at the same time as you.
It depends on you really. I'd camp in most, apart from Beausejour - but then others will be the complete opposite. Some like to travel with a car club and some like to be in private campsites.
We've camped in Epinettes a couple of times and found it suits us.
The facilities in general are way better than they used to be, the Tram really helps things and a few extra supermarche here and there are a real bonus.
You can even pay for fuel with an English Credit or Debit Card now! (for those that remember the good old days....)
ETA : as mentioned above the pitches are mostly 7x5m - we tend to bank on 1 pitch to 2 people. So if 10 go, get 5 pitches, etc... obviously this is vehicle dependent as well.
I'm not opposed to camping and have various bits of kit about me. Not a hardcore camper but the type who would enjoy a trip to an outdoor centre to buy new stuff. I am opposed to being in with the youths and drunks. I dont mind a good drink but always the case its the small thew who ruin it for others so I always prefer to be on the less manic side, but venture over the fancy if I fancy a loud one. It really depends on what you like doing in terms of accommodation arrangements. do you have all the camping kit and do you like camping for instance?
It also depends on your prior motorsport experience.
How much holiday can you take or are you willing to take and how many people would be in your group?
Most of the campsites are 'okay'... I think Houx and Houx Annexe can get a bit lively these days and I suspect that Beausejour can be a bit hit and miss as it's so big and varied. i.e. Most are numbered pitches, so you usually end up camping with people from the same country, or possibly within 1 or 2 rows of the campsite, but of course not always. Beausejour (afaik) is completely un-numbered and so you will mostly camp with people who arrived at the same time as you.
It depends on you really. I'd camp in most, apart from Beausejour - but then others will be the complete opposite. Some like to travel with a car club and some like to be in private campsites.
We've camped in Epinettes a couple of times and found it suits us.
The facilities in general are way better than they used to be, the Tram really helps things and a few extra supermarche here and there are a real bonus.
You can even pay for fuel with an English Credit or Debit Card now! (for those that remember the good old days....)
ETA : as mentioned above the pitches are mostly 7x5m - we tend to bank on 1 pitch to 2 people. So if 10 go, get 5 pitches, etc... obviously this is vehicle dependent as well.
Relatively inexperienced on the motorsport, I attend regular BTCC events and a handful of times to F1 and tripped to the ring recently. Le Mans I'd consider myself a complete novice.
Holidays are fine
Group: Starting the foundations for this it's very much me and a close friend sold on this concept. Depending on how the others respond it's most likely going to be just us, or I'd look to join up with a group travelling down (which I see happens often here) Again I'll take advice on here and look to start that as a separate conversation if we follow through and book something.
One thing to pick up on is book two pitches, good to know. Car is not going to be anything that would require significant thought on size front.
Pitches wise.... It depends on the group size as well.
The weather can be mildly unpredictable.. We tend to pack a 3x3 or 6x3 pop-up gazebo, depending on group size. So factor that in to your pitch allocation - of course this depends on the tents you have available or motorhomes etc.. (Houx has lots of power connections for motorhomes) other campsites may have them but most don't.
We toyed with generators over the years but now have camping solar panels, they are available from Amazon and other retailers.
The weather can be mildly unpredictable.. We tend to pack a 3x3 or 6x3 pop-up gazebo, depending on group size. So factor that in to your pitch allocation - of course this depends on the tents you have available or motorhomes etc.. (Houx has lots of power connections for motorhomes) other campsites may have them but most don't.
We toyed with generators over the years but now have camping solar panels, they are available from Amazon and other retailers.
We had 3 5x7 pitches and 3 cars (Grand Cherokee, Macan and 911) and it was ok, but with big tents and bicycles was a bit snug. Luckily the spaces to one side were empty so we put our chairs on it when we were there.
Lycian offered parking spaces (which were only 10-15 yards from our pitch) for £50/car so I'd do that to free up space rather pay for an extra pitch. They also provided free phone charging at their reception marquee. If you go to an outdoor shop get a gas camping fridge (£200?).
Lycian offered parking spaces (which were only 10-15 yards from our pitch) for £50/car so I'd do that to free up space rather pay for an extra pitch. They also provided free phone charging at their reception marquee. If you go to an outdoor shop get a gas camping fridge (£200?).
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