First time and going solo...
Discussion
Trying to tick this one off my bucket list by visiting the 2022 event. Planning to for the full week, but still searching for information on campsite opening dates, also I'll be traveling/campervaning solo but ticket sites I've browsed have a condition that 2 GA tickets must be purchased to buy a camping pitch, is there anyway around this? (don't mind paying the extra £92 but it does seem a waste).
Recommendations are welcome for the quieter infield campsites if there is any...
Recommendations are welcome for the quieter infield campsites if there is any...
Prior to Covid the ACO sites opened on the Sunday before, nothing has been said yet on next year. Ticket agencies always want to sell 2 entry tickets per camping pass, buying direct from the ACO should get you round that, but they don’t seem to sell tickets to all the sites, so if you’ve one in mind it’s easiest to go via an agency and swallow the extra cost. I’ve sold on spare tickets on here and outside the gates of the track in the past if you want to get some cash back it’s possible.
If you Google 'public circuit run campsites at Le Mans' you'll geta list of the ACO run sites, the easiest, most reliable and expensive way of buying tickets on these sites is through an agency, it's also possible to buy direct from the ACO but several sites never appear for sale directly from their website.
There are also privately run sites, such as Team Langoustine, Travel Desitinations and the Pistonheads one, these are more expensive again, but have extra facilities, these usually open on the Wednesday, the ACO ones on the Sunday.
The private campsites will likely be quieter, but that's a relative term at Le Mans.
As for recomendations, every site will have someone putting in a good word for it, a lot will depend on what your budget is.
There are also privately run sites, such as Team Langoustine, Travel Desitinations and the Pistonheads one, these are more expensive again, but have extra facilities, these usually open on the Wednesday, the ACO ones on the Sunday.
The private campsites will likely be quieter, but that's a relative term at Le Mans.
As for recomendations, every site will have someone putting in a good word for it, a lot will depend on what your budget is.
All being normal;
Entry and camping tickets can be bought directly from ACO. Particularly for camping or grandstands, having an ACO membership will allow earlier booking on the popular options if you are also straight onto it when ticket sales start. Simple entry tickets can always be bought on the gate as worst case scenario.
I personally find the private campsites not very good value for money with what is offered and often with inflated ticket prices.
Always been an advocate of the off site options with plenty to choose from within a short range of the circuit. Camping, hotels or air b&b. Often offering nicer accommodation for less money than the ‘luxury’ camping.
Entry and camping tickets can be bought directly from ACO. Particularly for camping or grandstands, having an ACO membership will allow earlier booking on the popular options if you are also straight onto it when ticket sales start. Simple entry tickets can always be bought on the gate as worst case scenario.
I personally find the private campsites not very good value for money with what is offered and often with inflated ticket prices.
Always been an advocate of the off site options with plenty to choose from within a short range of the circuit. Camping, hotels or air b&b. Often offering nicer accommodation for less money than the ‘luxury’ camping.
Have been to watch the race many times , I can thoroughly recommend traveling solo. For the very best experience can I suggest contacting the Le Mans Tourist board they are extremely helpful and deal with all your enquires regarding Entrance tickets, grand stand tickets and also on site and off site camp sites. Until recently there services were completely free although I believe they do now charge a small amount but far less than most other travel operators. Can’t recommend them highly enough.
Hi Billy2008, which area are you from. In my experience it’s not difficult to find a like minded bunch to join either on the way or when yo arrive....Le Mansers are a committed and friendly bunch and quite happy to share time which people
As per previous response, all campsites will get a thumbs up from somebody as we all routinely return to our June ‘nesting’ positions. In my experience there are noticeable differences between the sites, I’ve stayed on pretty much all them over the last 40 years.
I’ve used an agent for tickets for 20:years now, yes it’s more expensive but they have to make a living and it ensures I get the site I want with ease and also without number restrictions.
Hope you enjoy it
As per previous response, all campsites will get a thumbs up from somebody as we all routinely return to our June ‘nesting’ positions. In my experience there are noticeable differences between the sites, I’ve stayed on pretty much all them over the last 40 years.
I’ve used an agent for tickets for 20:years now, yes it’s more expensive but they have to make a living and it ensures I get the site I want with ease and also without number restrictions.
Hope you enjoy it
I would suggest you look at all the agents and private sites, not all agents demand to sell two tickets it really is a matter of checking them out. Look at Beermontain website for a full list and some of the other sites which provide advice on campsites.
As for Private sites agin look at all the sites not all that are listed some offer solo traveller pitches and again dont iinsist on two tickets per pitch.
All i would say is do your research and find the best option which fits your individual needs.
As for Private sites agin look at all the sites not all that are listed some offer solo traveller pitches and again dont iinsist on two tickets per pitch.
All i would say is do your research and find the best option which fits your individual needs.
I have been in various scenarios.
For security (stuff being nicked), lack of hassle etc for a first attempt my recommendation would either be Lycian private site with them putting up a tent on Porsche Curves, or join a group.
With Lycian they have the lot - catering on site, decent bathrooms, trackside viewing, loads of help, bus to the stadium etc.
I used it once, and while not my ideal way of doing things if I was ever going on my own again I'd use them again - its one stop away from a trackside hotel, with a lot of hassle removed and much peace of mind.
I would consider using them as a starting base, then explore away. At some point you will decide what you want as an ideal set up and you can do that the next time. I discovered a remote site tucked away from it all and that became my place, but I did need to explore to reach that point.
For security (stuff being nicked), lack of hassle etc for a first attempt my recommendation would either be Lycian private site with them putting up a tent on Porsche Curves, or join a group.
With Lycian they have the lot - catering on site, decent bathrooms, trackside viewing, loads of help, bus to the stadium etc.
I used it once, and while not my ideal way of doing things if I was ever going on my own again I'd use them again - its one stop away from a trackside hotel, with a lot of hassle removed and much peace of mind.
I would consider using them as a starting base, then explore away. At some point you will decide what you want as an ideal set up and you can do that the next time. I discovered a remote site tucked away from it all and that became my place, but I did need to explore to reach that point.
Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 26th October 14:37
Just bumping this one as it's nice to hear that going solo is 'a thing'.
I'm going for the first time this year, alone, and cannot wait. Quite happy being and staying alone for the weekend, life is non stop at home so relatively speaking this'll be a quiet weekend with a bit of breathing space! My getaway last year was a week in the middle of nowhere on Skye, so this'll be quite the contrast...
I've booked a solo pre-erected tent with Lycian. Being on a 'gated' site was important to me, TD had sold out of all but the Flexhotel and the price was obscene, the tent with Lycian was about 20 times cheaper!
Sailing over from Portsmouth on Wednesday morning and sailing back on Monday morning. I've never driven abroad before so that'll be part of the fun too!
I'm going for the first time this year, alone, and cannot wait. Quite happy being and staying alone for the weekend, life is non stop at home so relatively speaking this'll be a quiet weekend with a bit of breathing space! My getaway last year was a week in the middle of nowhere on Skye, so this'll be quite the contrast...
I've booked a solo pre-erected tent with Lycian. Being on a 'gated' site was important to me, TD had sold out of all but the Flexhotel and the price was obscene, the tent with Lycian was about 20 times cheaper!
Sailing over from Portsmouth on Wednesday morning and sailing back on Monday morning. I've never driven abroad before so that'll be part of the fun too!
ch37,
I've been to LM24 several times by myself and also with others. Solo is fine. I've always used Parking Blanc, slept in the car on Saturday night and has seat in Raccordiment which is the excellent viewing stand near the car. Other nights (Friday and Sunday) I've stayed in an out of town hotel.
One thing I feel you should be aware of as this is your first time abroad with your car is that if you have UK fully comp cover it is likely to include insurance when abroad BUT this will be the legal minimum required for France. It will not be fully comp while you are in France. So whenever I drive abroad I always check what cover I have and pay for fully comp whilst abroad. Usually for past LM24 trips the cost is about £50.
Also, get yourself a pocket radio and headphones so you can listen to the fab Radio Le Mans. Without this you will have difficulty following the race and whose leading what class etc. and what else is going on.
R.
I've been to LM24 several times by myself and also with others. Solo is fine. I've always used Parking Blanc, slept in the car on Saturday night and has seat in Raccordiment which is the excellent viewing stand near the car. Other nights (Friday and Sunday) I've stayed in an out of town hotel.
One thing I feel you should be aware of as this is your first time abroad with your car is that if you have UK fully comp cover it is likely to include insurance when abroad BUT this will be the legal minimum required for France. It will not be fully comp while you are in France. So whenever I drive abroad I always check what cover I have and pay for fully comp whilst abroad. Usually for past LM24 trips the cost is about £50.
Also, get yourself a pocket radio and headphones so you can listen to the fab Radio Le Mans. Without this you will have difficulty following the race and whose leading what class etc. and what else is going on.
R.
The absolute bible for Le Mans is here.
http://clubarnage.com/caguide/
If you ( or anyone else who downloads ) -please donate at least the minimum considered donation to a very worthwhile cause.
(There are thousands and thousands of hours that went into this.)
Edit - I should say - there are plenty of friendly folk there.
Get a few crate full of beers - offer a case of 6 for a couple of ice cold ones ( enough pennies out there to keep beer cold ) - be friendly and make friends.
You will 99 times out of 100 be welcome.
Heck... one year before camping areas were squared off - a yank (serving in Germany) rucked up the night before the big race - and had no-where to camp. ( a lot of folks decided they needed to peg off 1/2 acre ). - and we made room for him
Turned out is was the year that GM brought a fair few Corvettes across the pond and could do with a camera car. He was exstatic.
Have made so many friends over the decade or two.
Just watch out for the t
ts ( somehow - rather affluent - and arrogant ) - that the believe it is their God given right to shatter bottles of 33' on the ground - and make life hell for the pickup crew.
Before Covid - 250,000 people would attend Le Mans.
The majority will be British
If you expect that 80,000 British people will be the scum of the earth ( despite being affluent ) - look for the behaviour of trashing the place.
If you venture to the swimming pool - only budgie smuggles are accepted.
Do not take glass into the track. Enough tts have ruined that for everyone else.
Just clean up your st - to make it more spotless than before you arrived.
When the gypsies arrive to do the clean up - do not burn your tent or salt the earth. If you need to stay in it for the Sunday night - they will leave you alone.
Don't take valuables. Do not speed ( far too many police and they do not take st from you )
think on it from their POV - Their home is not your dustbin or racetrack.
Just be polite, respectful, treat the place as if it was you were visiting a well loved family member's home.
And again reach out to your fellow camp-mates - odds are the welcome newbies.
Just avoid tts.
http://clubarnage.com/caguide/
If you ( or anyone else who downloads ) -please donate at least the minimum considered donation to a very worthwhile cause.
(There are thousands and thousands of hours that went into this.)
Edit - I should say - there are plenty of friendly folk there.
Get a few crate full of beers - offer a case of 6 for a couple of ice cold ones ( enough pennies out there to keep beer cold ) - be friendly and make friends.
You will 99 times out of 100 be welcome.
Heck... one year before camping areas were squared off - a yank (serving in Germany) rucked up the night before the big race - and had no-where to camp. ( a lot of folks decided they needed to peg off 1/2 acre ). - and we made room for him
Turned out is was the year that GM brought a fair few Corvettes across the pond and could do with a camera car. He was exstatic.
Have made so many friends over the decade or two.
Just watch out for the t
ts ( somehow - rather affluent - and arrogant ) - that the believe it is their God given right to shatter bottles of 33' on the ground - and make life hell for the pickup crew.Before Covid - 250,000 people would attend Le Mans.
The majority will be British
If you expect that 80,000 British people will be the scum of the earth ( despite being affluent ) - look for the behaviour of trashing the place.
If you venture to the swimming pool - only budgie smuggles are accepted.
Do not take glass into the track. Enough t
ts have ruined that for everyone else.Just clean up your s
t - to make it more spotless than before you arrived.When the gypsies arrive to do the clean up - do not burn your tent or salt the earth. If you need to stay in it for the Sunday night - they will leave you alone.
Don't take valuables. Do not speed ( far too many police and they do not take s
t from you )think on it from their POV - Their home is not your dustbin or racetrack.
Just be polite, respectful, treat the place as if it was you were visiting a well loved family member's home.
And again reach out to your fellow camp-mates - odds are the welcome newbies.
Just avoid t
ts.Edited by Jenny Tailor on Tuesday 8th February 22:40
Jenny Tailor said:
The absolute bible for Le Mans is here.
http://clubarnage.com/caguide/
If you ( or anyone else who downloads ) -please donate at least the minimum considered donation to a very worthwhile cause.
(There are thousands and thousands of hours that went into this.)
Edit - I should say - there are plenty of friendly folk there.
Get a few crate full of beers - offer a case of 6 for a couple of ice cold ones ( enough pennies out there to keep beer cold ) - be friendly and make friends.
You will 99 times out of 100 be welcome.
Heck... one year before camping areas were squared off - a yank (serving in Germany) rucked up the night before the big race - and had no-where to camp. ( a lot of folks decided they needed to peg off 1/2 acre ). - and we made room for him
Turned out is was the year that GM brought a fair few Corvettes across the pond and could do with a camera car. He was exstatic.
Have made so many friends over the decade or two.
Just watch out for the tts ( somehow - rather affluent - and arrogant ) - that the believe it is their God given right to shatter bottles of 33' on the ground - and make life hell for the pickup crew.
Before Covid - 250,000 people would attend Le Mans.
The majority will be British
If you expect that 80,000 British people will be the scum of the earth ( despite being affluent ) - look for the behaviour of trashing the place.
If you venture to the swimming pool - only budgie smuggles are accepted.
Do not take glass into the track. Enough tts have ruined that for everyone else.
Just clean up your st - to make it more spotless than before you arrived.
When the gypsies arrive to do the clean up - do not burn your tent or salt the earth. If you need to stay in it for the Sunday night - they will leave you alone.
Don't take valuables. Do not speed ( far too many police and they do not take st from you )
think on it from their POV - Their home is not your dustbin or racetrack.
Just be polite, respectful, treat the place as if it was you were visiting a well loved family member's home.
And again reach out to your fellow camp-mates - odds are the welcome newbies.
Just avoid tts.
An odd reply, I agree with some of what you’ve written but feel you have exaggerated the number of Brits at over 50% and a the number of idiots.....there truly are some idiots but the majority of Brits, and people attending, really are not. Mad Friday attracts plenty of lunacy and too much of a stag night type behaviour but again it is the minority that are unable to hold their drink and the sun gets to them!.....typical of some British tourists. I just avoid the area and head to The Great British welcome or a drive out to visit one of the many villages in the area http://clubarnage.com/caguide/
If you ( or anyone else who downloads ) -please donate at least the minimum considered donation to a very worthwhile cause.
(There are thousands and thousands of hours that went into this.)
Edit - I should say - there are plenty of friendly folk there.
Get a few crate full of beers - offer a case of 6 for a couple of ice cold ones ( enough pennies out there to keep beer cold ) - be friendly and make friends.
You will 99 times out of 100 be welcome.
Heck... one year before camping areas were squared off - a yank (serving in Germany) rucked up the night before the big race - and had no-where to camp. ( a lot of folks decided they needed to peg off 1/2 acre ). - and we made room for him
Turned out is was the year that GM brought a fair few Corvettes across the pond and could do with a camera car. He was exstatic.
Have made so many friends over the decade or two.
Just watch out for the t
ts ( somehow - rather affluent - and arrogant ) - that the believe it is their God given right to shatter bottles of 33' on the ground - and make life hell for the pickup crew.Before Covid - 250,000 people would attend Le Mans.
The majority will be British
If you expect that 80,000 British people will be the scum of the earth ( despite being affluent ) - look for the behaviour of trashing the place.
If you venture to the swimming pool - only budgie smuggles are accepted.
Do not take glass into the track. Enough t
ts have ruined that for everyone else.Just clean up your s
t - to make it more spotless than before you arrived.When the gypsies arrive to do the clean up - do not burn your tent or salt the earth. If you need to stay in it for the Sunday night - they will leave you alone.
Don't take valuables. Do not speed ( far too many police and they do not take s
t from you )think on it from their POV - Their home is not your dustbin or racetrack.
Just be polite, respectful, treat the place as if it was you were visiting a well loved family member's home.
And again reach out to your fellow camp-mates - odds are the welcome newbies.
Just avoid t
ts.Edited by Jenny Tailor on Tuesday 8th February 22:40
I think you can generalise camp sites by behaviour for sure, Houx and in particular Houx Annexe seems to attracts a certain behaviour (some ended up in Garage Vert a couple of years ago and they really weren’t suited) but the experience of what you want and where to stay comes with time
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