Thinking of going early - What to do?
Discussion
We normally go to Le Mans on the Tuesday or Wednesday, this year we have a house booked from Tuesday but are now wondering about going down on the Saturday. We've done the scrutineering in town before so not too bothered about doing that again. Anyone else make a longer trip of it and stop anywhere else on the way down? Just looking for some ideas really.
On way to classic this year, we went a bit further down to the Loire close to Saumur. It’s a lovely area.
We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks.
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. A large old abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and meal was very good. The real novelty was walking around the abbey at night, void of tourists, after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would stay/eat again. Though tons of other options in the area.
We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks.
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. A large old abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and meal was very good. The real novelty was walking around the abbey at night, void of tourists, after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would stay/eat again. Though tons of other options in the area.
RL17 said:
Did a detour past Honfleur over Pont de Normandie and Honfleur and over to Pegusus Bridge and the Normandie beaches area just 2 hours north of Le Mans on way down the over year.
Did that on the way back last year.My best ever long le Mans trip was ferry to Santander and cross the Pyrenees and drive up through France.
We stayed
one night in Spain in the foothills, in a place called Biescas
Then France
a night 50 miles north of Pau, then another night in Cognac then on to Le mans
A fantastic trip
Despite going to the 24hrs since the late nineties I've never had a good look around the Old Town in Le Mans - that's what I would do with a spare day.
Maybe have a good look around the circuit Museum before the crowds arrive.
I wonder if your ticket would get you into the circuit, and you could have a look at the teams setting up.
Maybe have a good look around the circuit Museum before the crowds arrive.
I wonder if your ticket would get you into the circuit, and you could have a look at the teams setting up.
The museum at Manoir de l'Automobile is worth a look a few hours to the west if it takes your fancy.
LM240 said:
On way to classic this year, we went a bit further down to the Loire close to Saumur. It’s a lovely area.
We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks.
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. A large old abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and meal was very good. The real novelty was walking around the abbey at night, void of tourists, after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would stay/eat again. Though tons of other options in the area.
All of this. Every year when I go to Le Mans, I pop down to Saumur too, as well as having had some holidays there.We specifically went to have a look around the tank museum (musee des blindes). Well worth a look if interested in tanks.
We stayed at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud. A large old abbey with an interesting history. They have a nice hotel within the grounds and Michelin starred restaurant. Accommodation lovely and meal was very good. The real novelty was walking around the abbey at night, void of tourists, after dinner (and a bit tipsy). It was a unique way to walk off the dinner, something a bit different.
If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend there and would stay/eat again. Though tons of other options in the area.
There's the whole wine producer "strip" at St-Hilaire-St-Florent too.
Truckosaurus said:
Despite going to the 24hrs since the late nineties I've never had a good look around the Old Town in Le Mans - that's what I would do with a spare day.
Maybe have a good look around the circuit Museum before the crowds arrive.
I wonder if your ticket would get you into the circuit, and you could have a look at the teams setting up.
The entry ticket should certainly get you in on Tuesday. It'll give you free access to the museum as well. On the Tuesday we always take a drive around the circuit. We also did the pitwalk on Tuesday, so much better than on Friday as there's hardly anyone in there! Maybe have a good look around the circuit Museum before the crowds arrive.
I wonder if your ticket would get you into the circuit, and you could have a look at the teams setting up.
FredericRobinson said:
Yup, changed last year, gains a support race this year (Ligiers)
Now that would be good. Named support races (so far) means good old Group C's again plus GT's and early Bently blowers etc - https://www.peterauto.fr/en/2022/spotlight-on-the-...
DickyC said:
In one of the parks in Le Man is a monument to Louis Zborowoski, he of Chitty Bang Bang fame. Le Mans circuit didn't want a monument to a driver who died racing, so it went into the town.
Is there much of a connection? Was a DNS for 1921 Grand Prix there in a Sunbeam (part of the catchily named team/company that included Talbots and Darracq cars).
Probably too young for pre-war races when Hunaudieres used both ways in different years and the greater straights (now D304) on the road to La Chartre were part of the circuit.
Maybe testing with Lionel Martin in year before 2022 Grand Prix?
RL17 said:
DickyC said:
In one of the parks in Le Man is a monument to Louis Zborowoski, he of Chitty Bang Bang fame. Le Mans circuit didn't want a monument to a driver who died racing, so it went into the town.
Is there much of a connection? Was a DNS for 1921 Grand Prix there in a Sunbeam (part of the catchily named team/company that included Talbots and Darracq cars).
Probably too young for pre-war races when Hunaudieres used both ways in different years and the greater straights (now D304) on the road to La Chartre were part of the circuit.
Maybe testing with Lionel Martin in year before 2022 Grand Prix?
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