Is there parking on the tram line ?

[Bobo W]

We'll be staying off site this year so looking at options for how to get to the circuit on race day and avoid being stuck in traffic jams.

Traffic is normally choc a block in and around the circuit so wondering whether there was parking at one of the tram line stations and then we could take the tram into the circuit for the start.

[Bobo W]

Excellent, thanks

Follow up question then. Has anyone done this before on race day? I'm trying to get a feel for how full the car parks get and thus what time we'd need to arrive to ensure a space.

[Bobo W]

We'll be coming from North of Le Mans and then skirting round the East of the city to come in from that side which is why Espal-Arche De La Nature appeals. I had discounted Carrefour on the assumption we would get caught up in all the event traffic just getting there. If this is not the case how would you suggest we get there avoiding the worst of the traffic and is there a limit on time you can park at Carrefour?

[Bobo W]

We'll be travelling to the circuit on the Saturday with a view to kipping in the car over night - to that end we've got circuit parking - now we could spend a few hours crawling along with all the event traffic or enjoy a spot of lunch in Le Mans and then make our way on a leisurely basis to the circuit for the start. By having the car relatively close we can pick it up and drive back into the circuit when the rush has died down.

[Bobo W]

Thanks once again for the advice.

While Carrefour is very close to the circuit is it far enough away not to get caught up in the gridlock around the circuit? So any traffic we'd have to contend with would be normal local Saturday traffic. If it does get really busy around there is there a better direction to approach it from?

[Bobo W]

MadMacMcMad said:

Why not buy a Parc Vert car park pass (circa £45-50 tops) inside the track at the Bugatti circuit. Easy access to everything, 24hr ACO security and you can kip in your car. No brainer.

Tickets are still available. PM me if you can't find any.

It's a toss up between Vert or Blanche for main tribune parking - My issue is just getting there on the Saturday and not getting stuck in traffic hence the discussion about parking at Carrefour prior to the start and then we can move the car to on-circuit parking when everything dies down a bit.

[Bobo W]

lowdrag said:

Bobo W said:

Thanks once again for the advice.

While Carrefour is very close to the circuit is it far enough away not to get caught up in the gridlock around the circuit? So any traffic we'd have to contend with would be normal local Saturday traffic. If it does get really busy around there is there a better direction to approach it from?

Well, as the Irish say, "If I was going there I wouldn't be starting from here". Or in other words, have a look at a map or on Google Earth and plan coming in from the east but avoiding the outer and inner ring road. Me, if I am

were coming down the old N138 (now D338) during race week I always pick up the motorway at Auchan and go south on the A28 to J24 for Parigné l'Eveque and take the first exit on the roundabout to Bois Martin and there turn left to Ruaudin. On arriving at the next roundabout first exit and you are then behind the Mulsanne and later main road which goes past Carrefour. Longer but a damned sight quicker during the race. It takes me 10 mins to get home from St Saturnin on the Friday instead of 45 minutes taking the usual route around past the university and Carrefour.

I'm familiar with the road that leads from Ruaudin to round the back of Carrefour although don't you get caught up with the Parking Vert traffic that is directed along a small stretch of this road just before the bridge over the D323?

[Bobo W]

Thanks Lowdrag, as ever so useful to have a locals view on things

[Bobo W]

MadMacMcMad said:

Bobo W said:

It's a toss up between Vert or Blanche for main tribune parking - My issue is just getting there on the Saturday and not getting stuck in traffic hence the discussion about parking at Carrefour prior to the start and then we can move the car to on-circuit parking when everything dies down a bit.

Parc Vert, but approach from the South West on the D323 then you can drop down to the Stella bar, along the Chemin aux Beoufs under the Mulsanne and Parc Vert is 1/4 mile ahead of you with the TL site on your right.

The North of the circuit is an absolute mare on the Saturday!

Thanks although I would normally avoid the D323 so close to the circuit as getting off at either- the junction signed Vert (which eventually takes you down to the Ruaudin road) or - the junction for Tours, ends up as a car park. As a regular in Houx Annexe and club parking for CLM on the Bugatti circuit, I've got stuck in traffic jams all round this side of the circuit ;-)