Favourite route to Le Mans

[chrisbeck]

On the D21 South of Ségrie on the way back to Caen last year. Hardly saw another car!

Edited by chrisbeck on Tuesday 10th April 10:19

[url]

Edited by chrisbeck on Tuesday 10th April 10:25

Edited by chrisbeck on Tuesday 10th April 10:29

[lowdrag]

[quote=delta0]My plan at the moment is:
Calais to Rouen - A16, A28 and N28
Rouen to Alencon - N338, A13 and D438
Alencon to Arnage/roundabout - D338, D323 and D92
This is the route Google maps link

Any issues with the above?
Should I take D147S rather than D323?
Any good places to stop on route? Good lunch spot?

You route is just boring motorway and dual carriageway in the main. But if that is what you want so be it. Just pop into your nearest W H Smith and buy that very old-fashioned thing called an atlas. And not just any atlas but the A3 sized Michelin map of France. Sit down and work out the back roads, just as we did. You'll come across little villages with bars, maybe a typically french restaurant with lunch at €12 for starter and main course, you'll have fun getting understood, and you'll have memories that will last forever. With just a quick look at the map I'd come off at Rouen, drop down to Evreux, then take the scenic route through the forest to Conches, Verneuil, Mortagne, Bellème, Bonnétable and on to Le Mans. Great back roads, virtually no traffic, easy cruising, no BiB, and relaxing. Or you could just sit on the A28 all the way to Le Mans. I know which I would choose, just as I have done all over France for the last 30 years and more.

[delta0]

lowdrag]elta0 said:

My plan at the moment is:
Calais to Rouen - A16, A28 and N28
Rouen to Alencon - N338, A13 and D438
Alencon to Arnage/roundabout - D338, D323 and D92
This is the route Google maps link

Any issues with the above?
Should I take D147S rather than D323?
Any good places to stop on route? Good lunch spot?

You route is just boring motorway and dual carriageway in the main. But if that is what you want so be it. Just pop into your nearest W H Smith and buy that very old-fashioned thing called an atlas. And not just any atlas but the A3 sized Michelin map of France. Sit down and work out the back roads, just as we did. You'll come across little villages with bars, maybe a typically french restaurant with lunch at €12 for starter and main course, you'll have fun getting understood, and you'll have memories that will last forever. With just a quick look at the map I'd come off at Rouen, drop down to Evreux, then take the scenic route through the forest to Conches, Verneuil, Mortagne, Bellème, Bonnétable and on to Le Mans. Great back roads, virtually no traffic, easy cruising, no BiB, and relaxing. Or you could just sit on the A28 all the way to Le Mans. I know which I would choose, just as I have done all over France for the last 30 years and more.

Excellent. This is what I wanted to hear!

[Bobo W]

L500 said:

Our route (14th time);
On leaving the eurotunnel terminal follow A16 direction Boulogne / Le Touquet
At Abbeville follow A28 direction Rouen
At Junction 11 follow A29 direction Le Havre
At Junction 9 follow N29 direction Yvetot
Follow signs for Pont de Brotonne and onto Bourg-Achard – Turn right at traffic lights and park up 100 yards on left. (Stop here for lunch)
Continue towards Bourgtheroulde turning right and following signs for Le Neubourg.
Continue onto Conches-en-Ouche, Breteuil and Verneuil-sur-Avre on D840
Then follow signs to Mortagne & Alencon N12
Come off N12 at 2nd turning for Mortagne-au-Perche and then look for signs to Belleme where we stop prior to heading to Le Mans.
Follow signs for Bonnetable & Le Mans D938
Just after Savigne L’Eveque take 1st exit on roundabout D20 Change
This feeds onto D323 heading towards Le Mans. Come off at junction signed Circuit Des 24 Heures

That route looks suspiciously familiar although not the 14th time you've done it?

[lowdrag]

More or less what I indicated, except for the last line. If you are coming when it is the busy time, for christ's sake do not try and take the southern bypass to get to the circuit. I have seen so many cars parked up and overheating. Pick up the motorway and go down towards Tours and come off at J25 Ecommoy. Leave the motorway first exit, head north through Ecommoy until you see signs for Moncé-en-Belin, turn left to Moncé and follow signs for Arnage and then to Houx/Bleu/Bleu Nord/Beauséjour/Green.. You'll save one hell of a lot of time in busy periods.

Edited by lowdrag on Saturday 14th April 03:57

[old'uns]

not so much an issue at the 24, more the Classic in July when the speed limit on single carriage roads reduces from 90 to 80kph which will add more time when 'off-piste' so another factor to consider when planning Ferry times

[markizok]

Hi guys - not to hijack this thread but can you suggest any cheap and chearful lemans options..... looking to go from Folkestone and the PistonHeads affiliated option is too much for some of the chaps.

Thanks

[delta0]

markizok said:

Hi guys - not to hijack this thread but can you suggest any cheap and chearful lemans options..... looking to go from Folkestone and the PistonHeads affiliated option is too much for some of the chaps.

Thanks

P&O plus Beausejour public camping plus general entrance ticket is going to be the cheapest way to do Le Mans. Going to cost about £75 for the ferry per car, £55 per pitch and about £80 for the general entrance ticket per person. Fuel, food etc. Is on top

Edited by delta0 on Sunday 15th April 00:43

[lowdrag]

And avoid the motorways. They swallow a lot of beer tokens and anyway, the main roads in France are damned good. And as someone who is speaking from bitter experience, start a kitty now! That will sort the men from the boys, since if they can't afford to pay for the camping someone is going to find that a lot of mates will be busy tying their laces as you walk into the bar.

Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 15th April 08:09

[JT3K]

illmonkey said:

We're going Friday, staying near Porsche curves, what is the best entry point, to avoid 'mad friday'?

It did kick off around there from early afternoon. IIRC about 1pm a group that had done banger-rally down (with a large van of spare tyres) set out at about 1pm and started it. The police were in action between down Boulevard Des Italiens from the entry to Maison Blanche to the roundabout past Blue Sud and anyone passing was "encouraged". What I would say for once is that there seemed to be a lot of polite encouragement and a lot less "muppets with water balloons" for once. Driving through I told them my clutch was on it's last legs but I could make a bit of noise and that seemed to satisfy them and I was left on my way.

[lowdrag]

Don't come off the ring road at the circuit come off at the Mulsanne exit, go down to Family Village, first exit and straight on to the third roundabout, where the Karcher carwash is. But that depends on whether Mad friday is in that area since it has been on the Mulsanne but much further down than where you are coming off so you'll avoid them. Locals are throwing them peanuts this year I hear.

[delta0]

delta0 said:

lowdrag]elta0 said:

My plan at the moment is:
Calais to Rouen - A16, A28 and N28
Rouen to Alencon - N338, A13 and D438
Alencon to Arnage/roundabout - D338, D323 and D92
This is the route Google maps link

Any issues with the above?
Should I take D147S rather than D323?
Any good places to stop on route? Good lunch spot?

You route is just boring motorway and dual carriageway in the main. But if that is what you want so be it. Just pop into your nearest W H Smith and buy that very old-fashioned thing called an atlas. And not just any atlas but the A3 sized Michelin map of France. Sit down and work out the back roads, just as we did. You'll come across little villages with bars, maybe a typically french restaurant with lunch at €12 for starter and main course, you'll have fun getting understood, and you'll have memories that will last forever. With just a quick look at the map I'd come off at Rouen, drop down to Evreux, then take the scenic route through the forest to Conches, Verneuil, Mortagne, Bellème, Bonnétable and on to Le Mans. Great back roads, virtually no traffic, easy cruising, no BiB, and relaxing. Or you could just sit on the A28 all the way to Le Mans. I know which I would choose, just as I have done all over France for the last 30 years and more.

Excellent. This is what I wanted to hear!

This one is along the lines of what you were describing Google Maps Link

[L500]

Bobo W said:

That route looks suspiciously familiar although not the 14th time you've done it?

Ha haa. Just seen this Mr H. It's our route each year but whether we always find it is a different matter!

[Skywalker]

We had lunch in Putanges Ponts Ecrepin today. The Lion Verd has it’s 14€ Menu Terroir (menu du hour) and also a 25€ & 32€ formules - however as it is market day on Thursday we got some galleries with ham & cheese from the little man with his food trailer and ate those sat looking at the river watching the world go by.
Excellent value - 2.50€ per galette.

The hotel was excellent but we just fancied a snack today.

All things to all people I guess.

[lowdrag]

I have to smile at predictive texting! I used to sit outside the hotel in the early morning after getting off the ferry and do a bit of fishing. The hotel used to have a lobster tank but that finished years ago sadly, about the time that the children took over from the parents. If you ever feel like pushing the boat out the food is really good there, and always has been. Glad you enjoyed your "galleries"

[Skywalker]

lowdrag said:

Glad you enjoyed your "galleries"

;-)
The gift of auto-correct keeps on giving.

We last ate there (Lion Verd) last summer and had an idyllic lunch, and would recommend it

[onemorelap]

Bit of a bump as its my 4th time and want to get away from the N28 for part of the route.

I like the idea of getting off at Rouen then finding a route on quieter roads from there.

Just wanted to ask what the situation is with the Rouen emission zone, last visit was in 22 and i didn't even know there was a zone tbh but looks like there are now enforcement cameras or your have to buy or sticker or something?

Anything to worry about?

[Truckosaurus]

You need a Crit'air sticker to show what group your emissions are (about 4 euro from the French government).

There are rumours of there being some cameras in the future, but currently you have to be manually stopped. The locals don't seem to care about driving non-compliant cars (either through ignorance or general disregard for authority).

If you are the type to be worried about being law abiding then it is easily bypassed.

[MicMax27]

I’m going the other way, Roscoff to Le Mans on the weds morning. So if anyone has any tips for that route, I’m all ears. Also, would I need a Crit air sticker?

[LawrieC]

The traditional route has to be motorway to Rouen, and N138, or whatever they call it now, to the Le Mans by-pass.

Use the peage if you're in a hurry, but I usually reach Alencon about the time supermarkets open, and be set-up with a good lunch and a Pinot Noir at noon.

I've towed the caravan at their legal limits, but you really do piss petrol to save 20 minutes. And I don't hurry back either.

On last years holiday, we took two days to reach Le Mans, by motorway! with frequent stops, as the Mrs doesn't travel well. It was still good