Le Mans first timer

[nikster]

Hi

Can anyone help me please. Me and two friends have decided to go to Le Mans for the first time this year. Can anyone tell me which is the best camp site to stay at? A few people have suggested staying at a camp site a few miles away from actual Le Mans is this worth doing or is it more hassle to drive in every day?

We're three girls on our own so security and showers and toilets are a must!

Thanks all

[RobGT81]

Firstly, top lurking. 11 years nearly?
Secondly, 3 girls eh.. Maison Blanche would be best I feel

Seriously though, I don't see the need to camp so far away. Its a lot of hassle, especially on Saturday. The private sites that are by the circuit might be best for you. Pistonheads, SpeedChills, Travel Destinations etc all have secure private camping with showers right by the circuit.

Edited by RobGT81 on Sunday 5th January 17:02

[fatboy18]

It all depends on your budget

Check out the campsite guide at Beermountain.com Not sure the last time the site was updated?

The Pistonheads camping area is a good spot. as your near the main grandstands / start finish line.,
What was your plan for transport, all in one car or individual transport? It can make a big difference on cost

Other sites are available away from the circuit, where they offer to bus you into the circuit and return you to your campsite later.

[allojon]

Or just read previous pages of threads which cover similar questions already.
And ask an expert, one of the official agencies, rather than a predominately blokes forum?
You'll have a great time if you get the right advice.

[ellroy]

allojon said:

You'll have a great time if you get the right advice.

And possibly a better one if you get the wrong advice......

Travel destinations offer decent on site accommodation/food/facilities and with camp security as well.

Not the cheapest mind.

[BeeGT]

I would second the use of a more formal / organised camping area for your first visit as I think you will feel far more secure, that's not to say that Le Mans is remotely hostile or dangerous but if you can afford a private site operated by Travel Destinations, Team Langoustine, Airtrack, Speed Chills or Pistonheads then why not take advantage of it.

I hope you get booked and that your group has an amazing time, your post has given me hope that my daughter (currently only 8) will one day ask her dad for similar advice and catch the Le Mans bug.

Edited by BeeGT on Sunday 5th January 19:45

[fatboy18]

Beausejour is cheapest option, you can just rock up on the day, no need to book and you can also buy your general entrance tickets at the campsite gate.

If Beausejour is full then there is Darion (next door) which is used as an overflow.

Karting Nord is no longer there as it is now part of a new Kart circuit.

Camping Houx is hard to get into (unless you use one of the agency's) but then your price goes up

If you want to do your own thing contact the ACO and see if you can book any of the sites 'on line'

you can also contact the Le mans tourist office, members here have said they are very helpful

My lot have used the Honduras (sorry if I spelt that wrong) campsite (infield of Tet Rouge corner) for the Last couple of years, not cheap but good security for our cars and easy access. However this sold out within 10 days for this year!

Happy to help, I've been attending Le mans on and off since 1982 so sort of know my way around

[nikster]

Thanks everyone, lots of good advice.

[vincegail]

On track private sites, some of them also sell tickets for the ACO sites:
speedchills, airtrack, just tickets, 1st tickets, travel destinations.
http://www.speedchills.com/
Airtrack by Thomas Cook http://www.thomascooksport.com/Motorsports/Le-Mans
www.justticketsandmotoring.co.uk/ken_jtmpricelist....
Pistonheads by 1st Tickets http://www.1st-tickets.co.uk/ph/enquiriesph.html
http://www.traveldestinations.co.uk/motorsport-eve...

ACO tickets:
http://www.lemans.org/en/tickets.html
But you may be better off giving them a call or mail:
Phone : [phone] (0.34€/min)
E-Mail : [e-mail]

Dutch ticket agency:
http://www.tickettravel.nl/index.php/wec/frankrijk...

Le Mans tourist office (as fatboy18 said, very helpful):
http://www.lemanstourisme.com/dnn/menus/Lofficedut...
tel: [phone]
mail: [e-mail]

All the nice campingtickets seem to be spoken for, so your best bet will be the private sites or the tickets they sell for ACO sites.

Edited by vincegail on Sunday 5th January 20:26

[matboyslim]

nikster said:

Hi

Can anyone help me please. Me and two friends have decided to go to Le Mans for the first time this year. Can anyone tell me which is the best camp site to stay at? A few people have suggested staying at a camp site a few miles away from actual Le Mans is this worth doing or is it more hassle to drive in every day?

We're three girls on our own so security and showers and toilets are a must!

Thanks all

Ive sent you a message Nikki come stay at the bounty

www.bountylemans.com

we have all of the above!

[SEE YA]

I am camping there are well, looks nice and safe.
I found out about it on BEERMOUNTAIN.

Edited by SEE YA on Sunday 5th January 21:13

[LC2]

Not sure if the PH site through 1st Tickets ( http://www.1st-tickets.co.uk/ph/enquiriesph.html ) is still open for booking, but if it is, then it's secure, has showers and more loos than the whole of the rest of Blue Nord.
Oh, and they cook breakfast and dinner for you too.

[gt6]

Do not worry about not being a bloke, the percentage of female le mans fans seems to rise each year, yes you will be out numbered at all the sites but suggest like others that you either book an organised site or try to pick up a ticket on the more expensive sites, these will be sold out at the ACO but always a few for sale closer to the race as peoples plans change, so if you want a secure site with all the facilities but don't want to pay to much leave it to April/May and keep an eye on the various forums for unwanted camping tickets, check here, beermountain, club arnarge and ten-tenths you will get something better than the yellow sites which never sell out and are available when you arrive. Read the reviews on Beermountain as suggested they have reviews on all the sites both on and off circuit decide what your ideal site is and hold out for that if you can

[//j17]

There are a 3 basic camping options:

1. Public on-site.
2. Private on-site.
3. Private off-site.

On-site are owned/operated by the ACO and in/around the circuit so no need to worry about driving once you're there. The Beausjour site's a bit of a trek from the center of things unlike the other sites and is low-lying/poorly drained which can cause issues if it's wet.

A public on-site camping pass gets you a camping space, minimal security on the gate and shower/toilet facilities that are generally clean but shared say 100/1 (1 toilet/shower per 100 campers - though see note below).

Private on-site gets you access to a fenced-off area inside a public site. This costs more but in return you get things like additional, bi-lingual security on 'your' gate, your own showers/toilets on more like a 50/1 ratio and usually additional facilities like a marquee/TVs showing the race/optional catering.

Private off-site is just a standard camp site somewhere near Le Mans. It's going to be a lot more peaceful - not just the lack of car noise but also no risk of camping next to a group there to pump out dance music 24/7. On the flip side you have to drive to/from the circuit which limits the drinking (the French drink drive limit's a lot lower than ours so if you want to be 100% legal....) and also means a lot of time queueing to get in/out of car parks.


Note on Showers/Toilets for Ladies
The mix of men/women camping at Le Mans is probably 1 woman for every 1,000 men but the ACO put the same number of men/laddies toilets and showers on each site. For the men this means queues and usually jumping in the ladies if they are free. For the ladies it means more or less walking up and straight in!

[Dave200]

//j17 said:

A public on-site camping pass gets you a camping space, minimal security on the gate and shower/toilet facilities that are generally clean but shared say 100/1 (1 toilet/shower per 100 campers - though see note below).

How people's perceptions of Le Mans change... This was absolutely acceptable for 99% of campers only a few years ago, yet now people look down their noses at this part of the experience.

[SEE YA]

Well I wanted a safe campsite, with Security for my son and I plus my car.
I am paying a fair price this year camping with meals include in the price I will judge it all after the event. If no good will try another campsite next year.

The good thing about LeMans, there is so much choice camping wise. It all depends on what you want and your pocket.

Edited by SEE YA on Wednesday 8th January 14:42

[cn7k7]

I would certainly recommend staying of site so as to enjoy the whole event. Most cap sites are OK and Le Mansers are generally a friendly and helpful lot, especially the Brits as we all look out for each other an have a party. I've been going most years since 1979 and never had any issues. There are certainly many more females these days as the facilities have improved somewhat. Garage Verte is a good small site right in the circuit....but you'll probably need to use an agent to get them