How far away do you stay from the circuit

[butaclor]

Have friends that are booking a nice hotel for next year's event. However it is an hour away by motorway and an hour and a half by more enjoyable roads. One of our party is looking to buy in the same area and thinks this will be a good base for our annual pilgrimage. How far away from the circuit do regular visitors to Le Man's stay ?

[M1keH]

We always try and stay in town now, and get the tram in. It's just so easy!

We stayed at a friend's place about ten years ago where the distance was similar to that you described; an hour on the motorway or add half hour for the scenic route. The reality is that it was just that bit too far and the 'commute' spoilt the enjoyment of the weekend.

[DS240]

I’d agree anything 30-45 mins plus would make it a bit more of a chore coming and going if you plan to dip in and out of the race.

We stay just south of the circuit but it is only 15mins drive to the car park entrance. Rarely get bad traffic getting in.

I’m a big fan of doing LM this way rather than circuit camping.

[//j17]

You should stay within range of 91.2FM at all times.

[leyorkie]

I live south of the circuit around 30/40 mins drive depending on traffic.
If you book a reserved parking space on Expo it takes away the stress of finding somewhere to park each time you get back to the circuit.
However far you travel it’s around the circuit where you get held up so even if your 15 minutes away you still have to negotiate the trackside traffic.
Advantages not busy, clear roads, restaurants available, secure locations.

I know of a group who stay in Laval every year and it works for them.

Can you give the approximate location and I may be able to add to this post.

Yorkie
PS could put you in touch with some nice properties and there’s one locally for sale from a PH
Member

Edited by leyorkie on Tuesday 16th July 12:51

[butaclor]

leyorkie said:

I live south of the circuit around 30/40 mins drive depending on traffic.
If you book a reserved parking space on Expo it takes away the stress of finding somewhere to park each time you get back to the circuit.
However far you travel it’s around the circuit where you get held up so even if your 15 minutes away you still have to negotiate the trackside traffic.
Advantages not busy, clear roads, restaurants available, secure locations.

I know of a group who stay in Laval every year and it works for them.

Can you give the approximate location and I may be able to add to this post.

Yorkie
PS could put you in touch with some nice properties and there’s one locally for sale from a PH
Member

Edited by leyorkie on Tuesday 16th July 12:51

Location as I understand it is north west of Alencon. We normally stay around Fresnay / Due so know the area reasonably well and don't mind the drive which is typically 45 mins .
For the classic a few people seem put off by more than an hour's drive ,each and every to they're own . Personally don't mind our normal drive but over the hour seria but too far.

[leyorkie]

Being north just means you have to get round the town to get to the circuit easier from the south but it was not a conscious decision it just happened that we are where we are.

[StevieBee]

butaclor said:

an hour away by motorway and an hour and a half by more enjoyable roads.

May be just me but that seems too far away to really get into the whole Le Mans thing. That's like having weekend tickets for DTM at Brands Hatch and booking a hotel in Cambridge or thereabouts.

Each to their own but I'd camp on one of the roundabouts that forms the chicanes on Mulsanne if I could.

[The Leaper]

I have stayed at hotels in Alencon and Falaise, both of which are really no problem although a distance from the circuit. In both cases motorway access is good so a fast journey.

Note that I have always slept in the car on Saturday night so no issues about drinking and then leaving/returning to the circuit. Partly for that reason I have always book a dedicated parking spot in Parking Blanc which is also very handy for the circuit entrance and the nearby tribune.

R.

[chrisring]

I stay about 70 yards away from the track at Mulsanne corner!

[Nigel_O]

We generally stay about 50 feet away from the fence at Porsche Curves - I wouldn’t stay anywhere where I couldn’t wander out of the tent and see the track within a couple of minutes

[Some Gump]

You're all mad in the heed. Camping trackside IS le mans.

[Trackdayguy]

less than 100 yards. Travel Destinations, Porsche Curves

[wsn03]

About a 3 minute bicycle ride away

[bort]

Have stayed as far away as Sees normally around Beaumont good accomodation, can't beat having our own facilities . Decent restaurants around too .Drive to the circuit is all part of our week / weekend .

[gt6]

Stay in an on site campsite or you will miss the whole point of le mans, no traveling, a few minutes from trackside, no hour plus car journey in slow moving traffic jam, a base to catch some sleep, a campsite full of similar sportscar fans, all can drink, cheaper than hotel, decent BBQ food in campsite, can attend all the various events, not sure what the advantages of staying away from the circuit are but perhaps there are a few but if you are that bothered by them you are missing the point of spending a week at le mans.

[DS240]

gt6 said:

Stay in an on site campsite or you will miss the whole point of le mans, no traveling, a few minutes from trackside, no hour plus car journey in slow moving traffic jam, a base to catch some sleep, a campsite full of similar sportscar fans, all can drink, cheaper than hotel, decent BBQ food in campsite, can attend all the various events, not sure what the advantages of staying away from the circuit are but perhaps there are a few but if you are that bothered by them you are missing the point of spending a week at le mans.

-Wash car
-Pack bag
-Get on ferry
-Drive to house (15mins from track, straight into parking expo, walk 10mins to grandstand or go wherever)
- Park securely
- Unpack.. look at comfy bed I’ll be sleeping in.
- Nice private bathroom to use.
- Whenever I leave house, lock door nothing getting stolen.
- Go to choice of bars in the village and later a choice of restaurants. Could have a bbq if I wanted next to the river.
- Nice atmosphere with all the other LM regulars in the village.
- Get bits at supermarket or bakery if needed.
- Come and go from circuit as much as I want. Drive easily to other corners also.
- When I want rest, I have nice house/bed to do so. No cars, no euro techno soundtrack, no pissed knobheads or worry about mad driving near tents.
- Crap weather, close the windows.

I’ve eaten proper food all weekend and had drink at decent prices, easy access to circuit.

All this cheaper than any ‘private’ camp site at the circuit also.

I wouldn’t do it any other way.

But that’s the beauty of Le Mans. So many different ways to enjoy it for each persons ‘perfect’ trip. No right or wrong, just different.

[hyper jay]

we go to Lemans so we stay on the Bugatti circuit …. Garage Vert great site

[gt6]

DS240, sounds like you have a good set up and as you said most of us have, over time, sorted the trip out to suit our needs and likes, I enjoy meeting all my friends on Tertre Rouge every year, and hopefully will always camp there, our extended group would need a massive house to stay in.