Costa del Sol to Le Mans

[smuudge]

Hello PHers. Suddenly my 50th is around the corner. Hoping to do something fun for it next year before I get old and forgetful!

Have done Le Mans many times from UK and also drives to Spain and France over the years.

It’s abit of a bucket list to drive the other way, from Andalucia to Le Mans 24 and then home.

Obviously getting a car there is half the challenge but I wondered if anyone has taken a similar trip and how they went about the journey and if it stacks up as an adventure or living hell!

Cheers
Ben

[sherman]

Do you want to drive to Spain via France from the UK or you could get the boat to Santander and drive from there

[Davwlk]

We've driven to Le Mans and back from Spain 3 times from Alicante, taking 4 days each way and making the journey part of the holiday. It's great and planning is part of the fun.

Routes Taken

Gran Alacant – Le Mans (2011)

Santa Pola – Barcelona 350
Barcelona – Millau 250
Millau – Clermont Ferrand 150
Clermont Ferrand – Le Mans 283
1033 miles

Le Mans – Gran Alacant (2011)

Le Mans – Bordeaux 285
Bordeaux – Andorra 261
Andorra – Zaragoza 192
Zaragoza – Santa Pola 326
1064 miles

Hotels: Barcelona, Millau, Clermond Ferrand, Le Mans (4 nights), Bordeaux, Andorra, Zarragosa

Gran Alacant – Le Mans (2012)

Santa Pola – Tarrega – Andorra 413
Andorra – Limoges 290
Limoges – Le Mans 205
908 miles

Le Mans – Gran Alacant (2012)

Le Mans – Bordeaux – San Sebastian 430
San Sebastian – Teruel 270
Teruel – Santa Pola 205
921miles

Hotels: Andorra (2 nights), Limoge, Le Mans (4 nights), San Sebastian (2 nights), Teruel


Gran Alacant – Le Mans (2014)

Santa Pola – Lleida 311
Lleida – Rocamadour 300
Rocamadour – Tours 230
Tours – Le Mans 63
904 miles


Le Mans – Gran Alacant (2014)

Le Mans – Tours 63
Tours – Clermont Ferrand 238
Clermont Ferrand – Millau 141
Millau – Viladecans (Barcelona) 250
Viladecans – Santa Pola 335
1027 miles

Hotels: Lleida, Rocamadour, Tours (4 nights), Clermont Ferrand, Millau (2 nights), Barcelona

[rlg43p]

Find someone who fancies a road trip from UK to the Costa del Sol and get them to drive your car down there for you to drive back.

[smuudge]

sherman said:

Do you want to drive to Spain via France from the UK or you could get the boat to Santander and drive from there

Driving back really. So yes the boat over makes absolute sense. We really need to reduce the driving time to get to the start point!

[RL17]

Quite a few trips on video starting or ending in Morocco - pretty close to that part of Spain. Garry’s garage etc


Car and how you’re staying at LM would be a big factor

Are there any must do routes over Pyrenees?

Haven’t driven in Spain- would be too hot for my black car with black leather interior and V8 just behind the dash

Toledo sunsets are good, over and under Millay bridge must be on route (nice hotel near there on one of the vids)

Could get a 50 year old Granada or Triumph Toledo and make it a small rally- wouldn’t bother with a Seat Alhambra

Ferry down to Santander a few days in sun before start and 2 or 3 stops and east ferry back to Portsmouth after race?

[Jordan_H]

We drove to North-western Spain (Blanes) after Le Mans this year and then back again last week.

With another driver it's possible to do it in a few days, we took different routes down and back again.

On the way down to spain we stayed in Toulouse and on the way back we stayed in Chartres. It was roughly 8 hours driving a day but driving in France is a complete joy compared to the UK.

[Mykap]

I drive from Costa blanca to LM each year. Usually takes two days with a stop over at the French border. I go via Zaragoza to the Somport tunnel usually. You have the option from Madrid to either go direct to Irun and into France or take the senic route via Zaragoza. Personally I'd take 3 days from The Costa del Sol.

The roads are great in Spain. I'd definitely recommend it as a trip.

This year we stopped over at St Jean de Luz northbound and came back via Somport stopping at the chateau d'arance near the Somport on the way back.

Do it!

[LM240]

Make a lovely road trip spread over 2-3 days each way (or more leisurely depending on time/costs etc).

Might be worth a nice place to stay in Le Mans area (Loire valley) on the Monday. Recharge the battery before heading back. Especially if a tent has been involved in the LM accommodation.

[bennno]

Boat to Spain, night or two in San Sebastián, night in cognac, night in Loire -> Le Mans

[smuudge]

Cheers everyone, There are some great suggestions here.

As the crow flies to get over to Costa Del Sol from Bilbao/Santander, it would put a lot of distance on the journey. I guess it comes down to the amount of time we have. It would likely put a good 3 or 4 days on the journey once we've farted around along the Costas and started heading inland..

I love the idea of crossing Spain up to Zaragosa and some scenic stuff across to the Pyrenees though...that sounds like a proper drive on some stunning roads.


Maybe one option is to shelve the Costas and do something like this...

The ferry to Spain (Bilbao or Santander) Pros/cons? - 1 day
A couple of nights stop at Bilbao/Santander or as above San Sebastion. 2 days
Drive into France, up the coast, 1 or 2 night stop at Bordeaux or Cognac. 2 days
A leisurely drive to LM for the Friday - Mon 4 days
Drive home 1 or 2 days

So 11 days or so....

[Mykap]

The road along the coast from Santander to bilboa is very senic. I wouldn't bother going to Zarragoza...flat and quite boring. I'd recommend chateau Claire de lune near Biarritz as a stop over and then your plan to go to Cognac sounds great. Do a tour of one of the cognac houses, we did Hennessy a few years ago ..brilliant. plenty of planning to do.