Suggestions for LM2019 Stag Weekend
Discussion
I had people from a car manufacturer came here to camp in the garden last year for Le Mans. They wanted to experience it like "real people" was the idea. They won't be back again, of that I am sure. I wouldn't do camping now at my age, but a caravan next to the track or a rented motor home wouldn't faze me. But why go racing if you don't like it? Going back, the newbies wondered what in hell the old biddie was standing outside the toilet blocks for. They soon found out!
There's a lot of assumptions being made here - I've obviously touched a bit of a nerve with many people.
To put things into perspective - I understand the preparation which is needed to have a good time - my stepdad goes each year and his group take 2 cars and a support van full of beer, food, BBQ, etc. etc. - we would be adopting the same approach.
There would be approx. 15 people on the stag do. Of those, there are 3 who aren't motorsport fans/petrolheads. Obviously majority rules, but I want to do my best to ensure that they still enjoy themselves as much as possible.
When I tentatively made the suggestion to the Groom of going to Le Mans, his response was 'brilliant, if I were booking my own my stag, that's exactly what I'd do' - obviously I need to respect his wishes and I know that the rest of the group will be the same.
With regards to his drinking - it's not that he's tee-total. Just that he tends to be spent after 5 pints, whereas the rest of us will just keep going - not that he'll be sober.
I was hoping for some advice on which the best campsites were and any local knowledge of Le Mans itself, but clearly that won't be forthcoming.
To put things into perspective - I understand the preparation which is needed to have a good time - my stepdad goes each year and his group take 2 cars and a support van full of beer, food, BBQ, etc. etc. - we would be adopting the same approach.
There would be approx. 15 people on the stag do. Of those, there are 3 who aren't motorsport fans/petrolheads. Obviously majority rules, but I want to do my best to ensure that they still enjoy themselves as much as possible.
When I tentatively made the suggestion to the Groom of going to Le Mans, his response was 'brilliant, if I were booking my own my stag, that's exactly what I'd do' - obviously I need to respect his wishes and I know that the rest of the group will be the same.
With regards to his drinking - it's not that he's tee-total. Just that he tends to be spent after 5 pints, whereas the rest of us will just keep going - not that he'll be sober.
I was hoping for some advice on which the best campsites were and any local knowledge of Le Mans itself, but clearly that won't be forthcoming.
Only 3 is different they should be able to suck it up for the sake of the groom. The rest of you will be happy.
I still say it’s not a place for non-Petrol heads. On the other hand silverstone Classic has a lot more going on around the track.
Try Club Arnage for info on camping lots of up to date information.
Good luck with a group of 15 you’ll need it. I had a group of 8 one year and you just let them form their own groups, you will soon find out who wants 24 hours trackside racing and who’s not happy in those surroundings and all points in between.
I still say it’s not a place for non-Petrol heads. On the other hand silverstone Classic has a lot more going on around the track.
Try Club Arnage for info on camping lots of up to date information.
Good luck with a group of 15 you’ll need it. I had a group of 8 one year and you just let them form their own groups, you will soon find out who wants 24 hours trackside racing and who’s not happy in those surroundings and all points in between.
ryanMIL said:
There's a lot of assumptions being made here - I've obviously touched a bit of a nerve with many people.
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I was hoping for some advice on which the best campsites were and any local knowledge of Le Mans itself, but clearly that won't be forthcoming.
You do seem to have touched a nerve, a slightly unfair response in my view... there are all types of stag do groups (anywhere in the world!) with a range of behaviours from moderately sensible to complete tw4ts!!---
I was hoping for some advice on which the best campsites were and any local knowledge of Le Mans itself, but clearly that won't be forthcoming.
There is plenty of advice already on here, and other forums (try beer mountain and club arnage) about campsites, relative merits, other top tips etc etc. Have a search. I have been going for quite a few years now - happy to share my knowledge if you like, drop me a PM.
Now that you have made things clear, then firstly I would suggest that as a rather green group (and I mean that kindly) I would not do any other than book into 1st Tickets, Team Langoustine or another tour group. life can be pretty brutal on the main camp sites, and ayou are paying for security and comfort. A marquee, private showers and toilets, a bar, breakfast and so on. It really doesn't matter which one you choose really - they are all good and the security is most important for a group not used to thieves and pickpockets. You can sleep at night while the camp site is guarded. Book your tickets and camp sites all together, make sure you arrive Thursday at the latest, go have a look around the circuit to get the layout fixed in your head, and make sure you have included in your package parking at Arnage and Mulsanne, both great viewing sites.
No we have the basics out of the way. There is a tram terminus not far from Tertre Rouge, and that will run until I think 1am, giving you plenty of time to get into town (and the old town next to the cathedral is full of restaurants), get fuilled up, and catch the tram home. Friday would be a good day to explore the town since it is rest day for the drivers, qualifying having taken place on Wednesday and Thursday. That is the day of the big Driver's parade in the afternoon and they now put up two enormous screens since getting close enough to actually see things up close means going early to grab a place. The parade over, a few beers in the bars under the cathedral and then a good meal and then you might even hit the Irish bar in town for a drop of Liffy water.
The village inside the circuit has, in my opinion, now been in the main ruined with everything out of reach , at least in my case, since tshirts can be £50 and don't look at the Richard Mille watches! Take your time, relax, get drunk of course (it wouldn't be a stag weekend if not) but try and take photos to keep the memories alive. I've forgotten the Friday morning pit walk to see all the cars, I've probably missed loads of things out, but even if you are not a dyed-in-the-wool racing fanatic, you cannot help but be impressed by the whole atmosphere of the event.
But I repeat, do not try and do it on the cheap. Book through one of the tour operators. Takes all the weight off your shoulders. There, I hope that has been more informative and helpful. At first, many of us feared lambs to the slaughter.
No we have the basics out of the way. There is a tram terminus not far from Tertre Rouge, and that will run until I think 1am, giving you plenty of time to get into town (and the old town next to the cathedral is full of restaurants), get fuilled up, and catch the tram home. Friday would be a good day to explore the town since it is rest day for the drivers, qualifying having taken place on Wednesday and Thursday. That is the day of the big Driver's parade in the afternoon and they now put up two enormous screens since getting close enough to actually see things up close means going early to grab a place. The parade over, a few beers in the bars under the cathedral and then a good meal and then you might even hit the Irish bar in town for a drop of Liffy water.
The village inside the circuit has, in my opinion, now been in the main ruined with everything out of reach , at least in my case, since tshirts can be £50 and don't look at the Richard Mille watches! Take your time, relax, get drunk of course (it wouldn't be a stag weekend if not) but try and take photos to keep the memories alive. I've forgotten the Friday morning pit walk to see all the cars, I've probably missed loads of things out, but even if you are not a dyed-in-the-wool racing fanatic, you cannot help but be impressed by the whole atmosphere of the event.
But I repeat, do not try and do it on the cheap. Book through one of the tour operators. Takes all the weight off your shoulders. There, I hope that has been more informative and helpful. At first, many of us feared lambs to the slaughter.
To add to the advice above I stayed in an excellent site last year run by a tour company but note it was very quiet. You might want to check what the general set up is. Our neighbours were miserable and it felt like we were inconveniencing them by talking after 10pm.
The tents were jammed together too which didn't help.
The French site I use now is seriously quiet.
Houx Annex I think is the site I first used was one big all night party.
Check Beer Mountain for info on the different sites
The tents were jammed together too which didn't help.
The French site I use now is seriously quiet.
Houx Annex I think is the site I first used was one big all night party.
Check Beer Mountain for info on the different sites
To be fair, you didn't make that additional info very clear in your first post.
If thatsbwhatbthe groom wants, then the others will either have to suck it up, or not come. With such a large group you will no doubt split up into smaller groups anyway.
If you don't mind carnage, then an ACO site is fine. But take your own bog roll and don't leave it late for the morning trip to the loo. Also be prepared for it to be a bit like the hunger games. Houx annexe is fine. I think it has the best location for getting to all parts of the circuit. BSJ is a muddy field at the best of times and it takes a long time to get anywhere other than the Porsche curves. There are also plenty of private sites near Houx annexe, such as Thomas cook, where security and facilities will be much better. But they are pricey.
Talking of pricey, the fairground requires a remortgage. And beer is considered expensive at €9 a pint (I live in London so nothing surprised me when it comes to drinks prices).
The concerts were good this year but are usually some French s
te you've never heard of. JQ was a bonus- he had been booked to play the arena next door but didn't sell out, so they moved it to the track. But don't expect this every year. Likewise with the weather- we have been exceptionally lucky for the last 2 years. But when it rains, it can be tough.
If thatsbwhatbthe groom wants, then the others will either have to suck it up, or not come. With such a large group you will no doubt split up into smaller groups anyway.
If you don't mind carnage, then an ACO site is fine. But take your own bog roll and don't leave it late for the morning trip to the loo. Also be prepared for it to be a bit like the hunger games. Houx annexe is fine. I think it has the best location for getting to all parts of the circuit. BSJ is a muddy field at the best of times and it takes a long time to get anywhere other than the Porsche curves. There are also plenty of private sites near Houx annexe, such as Thomas cook, where security and facilities will be much better. But they are pricey.
Talking of pricey, the fairground requires a remortgage. And beer is considered expensive at €9 a pint (I live in London so nothing surprised me when it comes to drinks prices).
The concerts were good this year but are usually some French s
te you've never heard of. JQ was a bonus- he had been booked to play the arena next door but didn't sell out, so they moved it to the track. But don't expect this every year. Likewise with the weather- we have been exceptionally lucky for the last 2 years. But when it rains, it can be tough. I may be able to give advice as I've just come back from my own stag at Le Mans with 13 people.
I'd been twice before and wanted to go again, the only way I could get permission was to make it my stag. Out of our group two others had been before, another three were motor racing fans but knew little about Le Mans, and the remainder were along for the ride with no idea of what to expect (including three women, one of whom is an F1 fan).
Even though it was my stag I organised it. Herding 12 other cats was always going to be tricky so I kept it simple: Travel Destinations at Porsche Curves site. I've used them before and knew what to expect, mostly that there would be little setup and all facilities are there as we want it: security, pre erected tents for some of us, bar with €5 beers on tap, TVs, clean toilets and showers, band playing on two nights.
We didn't even drive, instead getting the train from London.
And everyone had a brilliant time, all saying they'd love to come back. Everyone took time to understand the race, everyone enjoyed watching it. We went Thursday, left Monday. Over that time as a group we were together as one about 50% of the time, which was fine. With WhatsApp everyone knows where everyone else is so people can choose what they want to do.
Also on the Friday we went into town for lunch and were still out until the early hours. There's enough bars and pubs in and around the main square to keep everyone happy.
But of course all of this has a cost. For the camping and train travel it was £430 or £480 per person depending on pre erected tents or bring your own.
If people can afford it then go for a tour company offering, it will be fun but takes out the hassle for a large group.
I'd been twice before and wanted to go again, the only way I could get permission was to make it my stag. Out of our group two others had been before, another three were motor racing fans but knew little about Le Mans, and the remainder were along for the ride with no idea of what to expect (including three women, one of whom is an F1 fan).
Even though it was my stag I organised it. Herding 12 other cats was always going to be tricky so I kept it simple: Travel Destinations at Porsche Curves site. I've used them before and knew what to expect, mostly that there would be little setup and all facilities are there as we want it: security, pre erected tents for some of us, bar with €5 beers on tap, TVs, clean toilets and showers, band playing on two nights.
We didn't even drive, instead getting the train from London.
And everyone had a brilliant time, all saying they'd love to come back. Everyone took time to understand the race, everyone enjoyed watching it. We went Thursday, left Monday. Over that time as a group we were together as one about 50% of the time, which was fine. With WhatsApp everyone knows where everyone else is so people can choose what they want to do.
Also on the Friday we went into town for lunch and were still out until the early hours. There's enough bars and pubs in and around the main square to keep everyone happy.
But of course all of this has a cost. For the camping and train travel it was £430 or £480 per person depending on pre erected tents or bring your own.
If people can afford it then go for a tour company offering, it will be fun but takes out the hassle for a large group.
lowdrag said:
just wanting to get pissed, doing so, falling down, getting pick-pocketed, forgetting to hide everything on the camp site and losing their passports, credit cards, and all their money. You will arrive on the Thursday, erect the tents (if you can) then go into town to the bars. You'll come back on the tram (which I think finishes at 1 am) or walk it. Someone will of course have lost/forgotten his camping site passes. You'll head for the circuit bar, probably still half-cut, then find somewhere to sleep it off.
None of what you've described is unique to non-fans of racing. I've seen plenty of these kinds of stories written here and on Beermountain from those supposedly there for the race.I think it's a bad idea, but not from the "no more drunk Brits" perspective. I just think the group will have a pretty mediocre time compared with something that they can all get involved with and enthusiastic about.
Number one rule of stag parties (and Lord knows I've been to enough of them) is that you want everyone to have a good time, with the possible exception of the groom in some circumstances. Taking everyone on a massive trip to the middle of France for something that doesn't remotely interest them just sounds like a rubbish stag.
OP - stag do at Le Mans is a great idea and ignore all the negativity, the weekend will be enjoyed by all.
Getting all topical, Le Mans is a bit like Brexit, in that, it means different things to different people, so it doesn't matter whether you're interested in motor racing or not everyone is guaranteed to get a lot out of the weekend.
IMHO it's about meeting up with old friends, making new ones, the journey, camping , ambience and a sense of, as Dickie Meaden very succinctly put it in last months Motor Sport, "like coming home".
Now while I'm a big motor racing fan, that element of the weekend is incidental to my overall enjoyment in fact there has been many a year when it's been too damned hot or wet for that matter that we ended up seeing barely any racing but still had the best of times.
Having said that it's not like it used to be for stag do's so no ladies dancing with snakes, bungee jumping or most disappointingly no ready-stop-death, even the Drambuie crepe bar has gone. At least there's a few trees left to sellophane the groom to though.
Getting all topical, Le Mans is a bit like Brexit, in that, it means different things to different people, so it doesn't matter whether you're interested in motor racing or not everyone is guaranteed to get a lot out of the weekend.
IMHO it's about meeting up with old friends, making new ones, the journey, camping , ambience and a sense of, as Dickie Meaden very succinctly put it in last months Motor Sport, "like coming home".
Now while I'm a big motor racing fan, that element of the weekend is incidental to my overall enjoyment in fact there has been many a year when it's been too damned hot or wet for that matter that we ended up seeing barely any racing but still had the best of times.
Having said that it's not like it used to be for stag do's so no ladies dancing with snakes, bungee jumping or most disappointingly no ready-stop-death, even the Drambuie crepe bar has gone. At least there's a few trees left to sellophane the groom to though.
Bobo W said:
IMHO it's about meeting up with old friends, making new ones, the journey, camping , ambience and a sense of, as Dickie Meaden very succinctly put it in last months Motor Sport, "like coming home".
Yeah, that’s a great definition of a stag do, hmm.....As other posters have said, there are already plenty of pissheads, we don’t need even more.
David W. said:
If the stag really likes it just remind he to sort his family planning so little Jane or Jonny’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd birthday doesn’t coinside with the middle of June!
DW
+ that or get married or marry someone with a birthday around then - usually the weekend with longest days/shortest nights (and avoid early July for Classic if it goes too electric in 10-15 years time!)DW
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