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Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Tue, 23 Aug 2016, 1:40 pm
by Admin
We were planning on having a trip to Le Mans Classic in 2016 but due to illness and car breakdowns the numbers dropped below the number we wanted to make it a proper road trip across France. So, we've moved it forward to the next one in 2018. The event is on the weekend of the 6th-8th July but a couple of us are going out on the 4th July and returning on the 12th July, making it a nice little holiday. We will be using the Portsmouth to Caen ferry which gives us the minimum driving time in France (about 2 hours to the campsite), but you are more than welcome to choose your own way of getting over the channel. I'll list some options further down this post.

We've done lots of research into all the camping options both on and off the circuit, and come up with what we believe to be the best value option. Having taken advice from our friends in the Scimitar Club who have been attending the Le Mans Classic for the last 13 years, we've decided that an off-site campsite is the best value option. It's located approx 12 kms away from the track, and depending on which car park you want to park in will take between 15 to 30 mins to get to the track. It's a municipal campsite, so it's very cheap at just €9 per night, €2 for access to the toilets and showers, a €2 booking fee and a 22 cents a day tourist tax. So an 8 night stay for 2 people costs €93.52

It's located in a small town South West of Le Mans called La Suze-sur-Sarthe and it has the two municipal swimming pools right next door, both inside and outside options. The river La Sarthe runs along the side the campsite and as it's in the town it's got the towns shops and restaurants all nearby. There are also hiking trails, a picnic area and petanque at the site. You must arrive before 21:00 on the day of arrival.

Here are some pictures of the site and La Suze-sur-Sarthe (which apparently don't do the place justice):
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To book your pitch on the campsite click here: http://www.lasuze.fr/tourisme/laire-de-camping-cars/

We've booked with Brittany Ferries on the Portsmouth to Caen route, and it's cost £408.00 for two people with a car and Portafold, travelling out on the 4th of July at 08:15 and returning on the 12th of July at 16:30. If you want to car share, it costs £468 for 3 adults and £528 for 4 adults.

You can book with Brittany Ferries here: http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/

A few of the other travel options are:

Channel Tunnel: £353.00 return ticket for two people, with a drive time of 4 hours 10 minutes to the campsite.
DFDS Dover to Calais: Anywhere between £128 and £299 for a return ticket for two people, with a drive time of 4 hours 20 minutes to the campsite.
P&O Dover to Calais: Anywhere between £136 and £381 for a return ticket for two people, with a drive time of 4 hours 20 minutes to the campsite.
DFDS Newhaven To Dieppe: A good value alternative with a return crossing (for two people) coming in at £195.50. Drive time 3 hours to the campsite.


Le Mans:

Tickets for the actual event can be bought on the Thursday at the track box office for €60 and paddock passes can be bought for €25 (2016 prices).

If you're interested in joining us for all, or part of, our Le Mans Classic adventure get in touch.


European recovery/relay breakdown would be highly recommended.

Things you'll need with you to drive legally in France:
:arrow: Passport
:arrow: Driving Licence
:arrow: V5 Log book
:arrow: Insurance Certificate
:arrow: Breakdown Cover
:arrow: MOT
:arrow: Hi-Viz Vest
:arrow: GB badge (car & caravan)
:arrow: Spare glasses
:arrow: Spare bulbs
:arrow: Headlamp convertors
:arrow: Warning Triangle
:arrow: Regarding breathalyzer's; even if you don't have them the French police can't fine you as it's not been brought into law. 'As of the 25th January 2013 a driver can not be penalised for not carrying one. The fine has been postponed indefinitely.' I'm going to save my money and not bother!

Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2017, 4:13 pm
by Admin
Where we're staying for our Le Mans Classic/France holiday trip:
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Thu, 30 Nov 2017, 8:03 pm
by Admin
The cost of this holiday to France has come in at approx. £293 per person (based on two people in a car) for an 8 night stay with Le Mans Classic in the middle. That's including the return ferry from Portsmouth to Caen and everything else I can think of, except for road tolls, petrol, food and drink.

Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2018, 12:52 am
by Admin
Should you want to bring the cost of the holiday down considerably you can use the DFDS Newhaven to Dieppe ferry, which comes in at about £195.50 for a return ferry with two people, including car and Portafold.

That makes the whole 8 day holiday come in at approximately £192.18 per person, including Le Mans Classic tickets and camping.

Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 4:34 pm
by Admin
Wow, wow, wow. What a fantastic trip!

We had an absolute blast. Scorching hot sun in the 2018 heatwave, French lager, baguettes, automated pizzas, the VinMog club, incredibly hospitable bar owners. All-in-all, a great 8 days.

A big thanks to Sharon, Ray, John & Anna, and to Geoff & Barbara for all their advice and tourism tips.

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The river Sarthe that runs alongside the campsite:
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A donkey wearing pyjamas walks through the campsite. An everyday occurrence in France.
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The town square in La Suze:
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Why do we not have these in the UK? They taste really good as well!
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 5:52 pm
by Admin
John's truck parked up next to the Dunlop bridge:
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A Raymondo selfie, in the good days before his very French addiction had taken hold of him:
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Some night shots from the Porsche curves. Fantastic atmosphere up there, late at night with BBQ's everywhere and the noise of the cars.
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Just to prove Alfred made it there:
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 5:53 pm
by Admin
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Standing in the paddocks at 2am while the cars are being driven around is an absolute one-off. It's proper organised chaos, that you would only see in France. Cars, whistles, mopeds, people trying to get runs over, madness.
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 5:57 pm
by Admin
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John posing with his truck:
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Now the subject gets serious. Ray developed a habit while we were away, an addiction, to baguettes. To the point that when all the boulangeries were closed he started getting the sweats. Then we found this 24 hour baguette dispensing machine in the square:
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 5:59 pm
by Admin
The Abbey at Solesmes (Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes):
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Solesmes:
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En-route to the centre of Le Mans:
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Le Mans city. Some fantastic old buildings:
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Re: Le Mans Classic - 6th-8th July 2018

Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2018, 6:03 pm
by Admin
Cathedral of Saint Julian of Le Mans:
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Watch out for the new film starring Matt Damon all about the Ferrari versus Ford Le Mans story. This is the set they were building while we were there:
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At the Le Mans museum:
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My favourite car in there:
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