Just turning up

[Rs2oo]

I have attended every year since 2005 (THE hot one). Never really bothered to find out but........I will 95% not be attending this year due to family stuff but, there is a very small chance that I could jump in my van and go last minute dot com. I see many cars parked on the grass verge outside the Houx Annex for example, some actually stick tents up behind their cars/vans and do it off-site on the verge. I have never seen anyone moved on or towed or ticketed. Does anyone know the law as regards to this possible illegal parking etc and if the Feds want to be all official, can I get clamped/towed/ticketed for this in France ? I know I could bite the bullet and buy a Beausejour ticket for £40 but I have my reasons not to camp there. Any advice from people who know please. Many thanks.

[indyxe]

I Was on Houx in 2014 and 2016, just by the fence by the road. By Friday night the verge is full of cars and campers, never seen anyone moved on so I take it the authorities just tolerate it or they don't have the logistics to uplift every car and camper.
I think personally I would prefer to be on a campsite though, even beausejour at a last resort.

Why not buy a parking ticket for parking Vert or similar then you will have in circuit parking and you can have a kip in the back of your van when needed. and if you don't go its only 40 euro down the drain.

[E36GUY]

I'm not 100% on this but there was talk that even Beausejour camping had sold out last year so I wouldn't chance it. At the very least I'd buy a parking blue/red/green and kip in the back of the van. They dont let you put up tents in those car parks but I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to sleep in the back of your van. Parking tix are about €30 and if you can't go, I doubt you'd have any problem selling it on closer to the event.

[Rs2oo]

E36GUY said:

I'm not 100% on this but there was talk that even Beausejour camping had sold out last year so I wouldn't chance it. At the very least I'd buy a parking blue/red/green and kip in the back of the van. They dont let you put up tents in those car parks but I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to sleep in the back of your van. Parking tix are about €30 and if you can't go, I doubt you'd have any problem selling it on closer to the event.

Thanks mate

[Frexit]

Beausejour has been full up for those like me who turn up with a camping ticket on Friday night and we have been shunted off to some sodden field where we watched countless people getting stuck in the mud, and then saw the Manitou which came to retrieve them getting stuck too.
The weather plays a huge part , but the French certainly pitch up all along the road leading from Beausejour to the track.

[MadMacMcMad]

Personally I wouldn't risk it.
It only happens once a year, why cause yourself unnecessary pain.
Buy an allocated pitch in Bleu Nord/sud. One of the better public sites and still available.

If you are planning to turn up on Friday, don't use Beau as you may get a really crap pitch way at the back (If it's wet, you might not get out!!) or turned away.
IMHO But I've only been going 26yrs.

[L99JKB]

I would never make the journey without a pitch. There has been a tightening up on a few things at LM in recent years, the illicit camping on verges may soon be one of them. We had to smuggle glass bottles in under the bonnet of a BMW i3 last year. The glass bottle ban was often threatened but never enforced, until last year. Good job the security didn't realise the engine in my friends i3 wasnt under the bonnet!
Beausejour isn't the best campsite that's for certain. I myself have vowed that if that was all thats available, I'd rather stay home!

[t1grm]

Why not park up at the park and ride by the university and sleep in the van? It's cheap as chips and the parking ticket includes the tram to the circuit.