Buying near Le Mans?

[Doofus]

As part of our plan to move permanently to France, I'm considering a house within about 4 or 5km of the Circuit de Sarthe (Mulsanne side).

Given I have no interest in motor racing will we be driven mad with noise during the summer, or are events relatively few?

[Panamax]

Doofus said:

As part of our plan to move permanently to France....

OT but may I enquire how that will be achieved? Are you French, do you have a French wife or some other means of entry?

[Panamax]

Doofus said:

Given I have no interest in motor racing will we be driven mad with noise during the summer, or are events relatively few?

It will be mayhem through the week of the 24hrs, obviously peaking into that weekend. The Classic attracts a smaller crowd but can nonetheless get pretty busy. There's also a motorcycle Grand Prix that attracts a crowd but it runs on a shorter, internal circuit so doesn't impact the surrounding roads in the same way.

[Doofus]

Panamax said:

Doofus said:

As part of our plan to move permanently to France....

OT but may I enquire how that will be achieved? Are you French, do you have a French wife or some other means of entry?

Ten year residence card and independent means.

[Doofus]

Panamax said:

It will be mayhem through the week of the 24hrs, obviously peaking into that weekend. The Classic attracts a smaller crowd but can nonetheless get pretty busy. There's also a motorcycle Grand Prix that attracts a crowd but it runs on a shorter, internal circuit so doesn't impact the surrounding roads in the same way.

Thanks

[rdjohn]

There are plenty of trackdays on the Bugatti circuit also, plus the Porsche experience centre. You will probably hear the noise when outside, I doubt at a level you could not tolerate.

I have not seen Lowdrag on here recently, but he lives in Mulsanne and so in a perfect position to give you advice. He knows everyone and everything Le Mans related.

The whole place comes alive for the big races, but the Moto 24-hours can be a real pain for residents. eg. killing and roasting a local farmer’s sheep over burning pallets.

[Doofus]

rdjohn said:

There are plenty of trackdays on the Bugatti circuit also, plus the Porsche experience centre. You will probably hear the noise when outside, I doubt at a level you could not tolerate.

I have not seen Lowdrag on here recently, but he lives in Mulsanne and so in a perfect position to give you advice. He knows everyone and everything Le Mans related.

The whole place comes alive for the big races, but the Moto 24-hours can be a real pain for residents. eg. killing and roasting a local farmer’s sheep over burning pallets.

Thank you. I had thought Lowdrag was further away than that.

I'm beginning to think that deliberatley putting ourselves in a compromised location is asking for trouble...

[Panamax]

Doofus said:

Ten year residence card and independent means.

Thanks. I just googled the subject. Interesting. I would be interested to know if you are able to recommend any particular agency/intermediary to assist with obtaining such a card.

[Doofus]

Panamax said:

Doofus said:

Ten year residence card and independent means.

Thanks. I just googled the subject. Interesting. I would be interested to know if you are able to recommend any particular agency/intermediary to assist with obtaining such a card.

We've had a second home on the Charente/Dordogne border (not enough land for us to live in permanently) for almost twenty years, and we're dealing directly with our local mayor.

Rules changed this year, and you now have to pass a written and oral language test to get your card. A1 (roughly primary school level) for a five year long stay visa and B1 (secondary) for the ten year residence.

Several MPs are trying to get concessions on the 90/180 rule for Brits (and other non-EU citizens) who own second homes in France. If that happens, we may not bother with the full residency.

[hidetheelephants]

Sounds like a terrible idea tbh, unless the property is free or very cheap subjecting yourself to being in the motor racing equivalent of a tourist trap is masochism.

[Doofus]

hidetheelephants said:

Sounds like a terrible idea tbh, unless the property is free or very cheap subjecting yourself to being in the motor racing equivalent of a tourist trap is masochism.

That's the conclusion to which we are arriving.

[ettore]

Doofus said:

hidetheelephants said:

Sounds like a terrible idea tbh, unless the property is free or very cheap subjecting yourself to being in the motor racing equivalent of a tourist trap is masochism.

That's the conclusion to which we are arriving.

Extraordinary over-reaction. You’re away from the circuit and it’s only really one weekend a year for the main race and, even then, it’s hardly like receiving the hordes from hell.

Extraordinary really.

[Doofus]

ettore said:

Extraordinary over-reaction. You’re away from the circuit and it’s only really one weekend a year for the main race and, even then, it’s hardly like receiving the hordes from hell.

Extraordinary really.

Well that was my question: is it just one weekend a year? Seems not.

[paddy1970]

Outside of Le Mans week, the circuit hosts relatively few major events - perhaps 5-8 significant race weekends throughout the year, mainly concentrated in spring and summer.

At 4-5km distance, the noise will be noticeable during these events but not overwhelming for most people. The sound travels differently depending on weather conditions and your specific location relative to the track.

[Doofus]

paddy1970 said:

Outside of Le Mans week, the circuit hosts relatively few major events - perhaps 5-8 significant race weekends throughout the year, mainly concentrated in spring and summer.

At 4-5km distance, the noise will be noticeable during these events but not overwhelming for most people. The sound travels differently depending on weather conditions and your specific location relative to the track.

Thank you. I'm aware the landscape is flat, which is why noise carrying is a concern.

[Mr Magooagain]

I live around 15 KLM’s from a circuit and can hear track days easy enough and particular bikes. Doesn’t bother me as I’ve done many track days there and I like cars etc.

What’s worse noise where I live (Charente) is the jet trainer planes nearly every day at some time of the day or night around 6 days a week.

[ettore]

Doofus said:

Well that was my question: is it just one weekend a year? Seems not.

One disruptive weekend yes, and even so, really quite tame.

Other events you will barely notice bar the odd bit of noise (which iif you’re here, should be a jolly good thing).

Le Mans is also, literally, the very best motor racing event in the world, so should be a major plus!

[Doofus]

ettore said:

Doofus said:

Well that was my question: is it just one weekend a year? Seems not.

One disruptive weekend yes, and even so, really quite tame.

Other events you will barely notice bar the odd bit of noise (which iif you’re here, should be a jolly good thing).

Le Mans is also, literally, the very best motor racing event in the world, so should be a major plus!

Like I said, I have zero interest in motor racing.

[ettore]

Doofus said:

Like I said, I have zero interest in motor racing.

Well it would have to literally bring you out in a rash to cause concern here.

Buy the house!

[Vsix and Vtec]

If you're not into motorsport, what is it that makes you considered Mulsanne over just getting something bigger in the Dordogne? Personally I adore the 24hr and the Classic, and my partner and I have often toyed with the idea of having a house in Arnage (we fell in love with the main street down from Le Ruisseau to Boulangerie Feuillette) but obviously I'd be there BECAUSE of the events, rather than inspite of them.