From Caen to Le Mans
Discussion
We went from Portsmouth > Cherbourg for the 24hr called in at Sainte-Mère-Église for a coffee and a look at the Parachutist hanging from the church steeple, then onto St. Lo > cross county to Sillé-le-Guillaume, hit a route barrée which sent us on a bit of a diversion but ok though.
Then towards Saint-Saturnin and into Le Mans took us a while but we had time so no probs cracking countryside and some good supermarkets on route to stop for supplies beware of the radar traps though as there are a few on that route.
Then towards Saint-Saturnin and into Le Mans took us a while but we had time so no probs cracking countryside and some good supermarkets on route to stop for supplies beware of the radar traps though as there are a few on that route.
Yes. Just follow the road from Cherbourg to Caen then the route above. Or, if you have a map book, half the fun is planning a route yourself not following main roads but only D roads. Two minutes with Google Earth gave me Caen - St lô - St Jean-d'Elle - Caumont-sur-Aure - Les Monts d'Aunay - Bonnemaison - Le Hom - you can do the rest yourselves in a few minutes. No GPS will give you back roads like these.
Of course, if you find this difficult, Cherbourg to Caen then pick up the motorway to Le Mans or the old Route Nationale. Plenty of McDonalds on that one, but on the back roads you never know when you might find a little restaurant you will remember for the rest of your life.
Of course, if you find this difficult, Cherbourg to Caen then pick up the motorway to Le Mans or the old Route Nationale. Plenty of McDonalds on that one, but on the back roads you never know when you might find a little restaurant you will remember for the rest of your life.
Edited by lowdrag on Tuesday 21st June 07:30
Thanks lowdrag. Funnily enough I was just about to search back for your previous posts about this route as I’m planning ours for the Friday morning.
A query…is it still an 80kph National limit on some/all of the route, or have these enlightened departments relaxed back to 90?
It makes all the difference to driving enjoyment on RN roads!
A query…is it still an 80kph National limit on some/all of the route, or have these enlightened departments relaxed back to 90?
It makes all the difference to driving enjoyment on RN roads!
That is a question that is difficult to answer because each department has made up its own mind. La Sarthe is 90kph/56mph - BUT - remember that since Brexs
t they can no longer send you a fine if you set a fixed camera off. not that I would encourage you to do so of course - ahem. Only the major roads are 90 though and the rest can be anything from 30kph to 80 kph. When I leave my house to go to the golf at Mulsanne I have this performance over 10 kms:-
80 -70 50 - 80 - 50 - 70 - 50 - 40 - 50 - 90 and that is only six ruddy miles!
The route I have posted I have never seen the BiB so I wouldn't worry too much - famous last words. They are sometimes outside of Caen so at first be careful, but once clear of Caen I have never seen any radars, and until last year I was using the route five times a year. HTH
t they can no longer send you a fine if you set a fixed camera off. not that I would encourage you to do so of course - ahem. Only the major roads are 90 though and the rest can be anything from 30kph to 80 kph. When I leave my house to go to the golf at Mulsanne I have this performance over 10 kms:-80 -70 50 - 80 - 50 - 70 - 50 - 40 - 50 - 90 and that is only six ruddy miles!
The route I have posted I have never seen the BiB so I wouldn't worry too much - famous last words. They are sometimes outside of Caen so at first be careful, but once clear of Caen I have never seen any radars, and until last year I was using the route five times a year. HTH
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 20th June 15:14
Did the Lowdrag route yesterday in the Splitty and it was very good. Spent some of it held up by a timber lorry, combined harvester and tractor while I held up a Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Cobra. Thanks for the aural experience when you came past.
Edited by Spydaman on Tuesday 5th July 15:51
Edited by Spydaman on Tuesday 5th July 15:52
We did this for the Classic a few years ago, weekend was ruined for me byt it being 35ish every day, damn shame.
But journey was very easy, ferry was smooth, but it does take 6 hours, you can sleep but I struggled.
Only issue was hte plethora of immigrants trying to jump on lorries etc in Caen itself or the town right near the port, they appeared out of nowhere and were trying to open doors, it was a bit odd and dangerous at times.
But journey was very easy, ferry was smooth, but it does take 6 hours, you can sleep but I struggled.
Only issue was hte plethora of immigrants trying to jump on lorries etc in Caen itself or the town right near the port, they appeared out of nowhere and were trying to open doors, it was a bit odd and dangerous at times.
I've used Portsmouth - Caen for over thirty years and the last time security was far higher with submachine guns in evidence, but while I saw a shady character or two before you get to the shops and restaurants none were in evidence once inside the port area. And I'm sorry, Luke but controlling the temperature is beyond my pay grade.We could make a fortune though inventing air-conditioned tents I suppose.
I am only sharing my experience of one trip to LM Classic a couple of years ago, quite a few people in the small town near the port running with trucks, grabbing wing mirrors etc, and large groups sitting on some open grass just out of town, clearly all looking for an opportunity.
Not as bad coming home, but they seemed to be very aware of times stuff was leaving as they appeared again near boarding time, and the checks being done on lorries were very strict, not so much on cars.
Was unlucky with weather really, was stupid hot, and in my experience the ticketing system was damned confusing, I eventually worked it out, but needed several different tickets and passes, is surely easier to do it in one shot somehow!
Not as bad coming home, but they seemed to be very aware of times stuff was leaving as they appeared again near boarding time, and the checks being done on lorries were very strict, not so much on cars.
Was unlucky with weather really, was stupid hot, and in my experience the ticketing system was damned confusing, I eventually worked it out, but needed several different tickets and passes, is surely easier to do it in one shot somehow!
2022 was my first visit to the Classic as it was a “bucket list” thing, although I’ve done the 24hrs for 8 yrs in a row. The more relaxed vibe was great as was the range of cars racing although it’s no where near as organised as the Goodwood Revival IMO.
I especially wanted to do a parade lap session which I did and whilst expensive, we were fortunate enough to get a pretty clear session (having somehow started right at the back) so we saw some pretty impressive speeds along the parts of the Mulsanne straight - it’s not cheap to do, but I had unexpected particular personal reasons that 2022 was so important to do things like this. I also liked seeing the Porsche 962s etc. racing which I’d not seen before.
The weather was typical with 3 seasons in one day but I’ll admit I was pleased we escaped the heatwaves as I was glamping.
Using Portsmouth - Caen is great for us and security is definitely improved on previous years at Caen although we’ve been spoilt pre-Brexit with unrestricted access to mainland Europe, but we’ll get used to it. My dilemma for 2023 is whether I do the 24hrs or the Classic as I doubt I’ll get 2 passes from my MrsC
I especially wanted to do a parade lap session which I did and whilst expensive, we were fortunate enough to get a pretty clear session (having somehow started right at the back) so we saw some pretty impressive speeds along the parts of the Mulsanne straight - it’s not cheap to do, but I had unexpected particular personal reasons that 2022 was so important to do things like this. I also liked seeing the Porsche 962s etc. racing which I’d not seen before.
The weather was typical with 3 seasons in one day but I’ll admit I was pleased we escaped the heatwaves as I was glamping.
Using Portsmouth - Caen is great for us and security is definitely improved on previous years at Caen although we’ve been spoilt pre-Brexit with unrestricted access to mainland Europe, but we’ll get used to it. My dilemma for 2023 is whether I do the 24hrs or the Classic as I doubt I’ll get 2 passes from my MrsC
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff