LM24 Visiting Le Mans in winter

DCC · 31 Oct 2010, 21:55 (Ref:2783143)

I'm planning a visit to Le Mans this winter (November, December or January) and I would like to learn about your recommendations on what to eat, where to see, what to do, etc. It'll most likely be a one day trip (or two days at most).

Any help is welcome

Tim the Grey · 1 Nov 2010, 15:58 (Ref:2783506)

The most obvious thing is the Museum, next to the circuit main entrance.
Not expensive, and lots to see in there. Well worth a visit.
I visited 'off season' in August, and struggled to find anywhere open! Hopefully, people here can guide you better.

lemansfan · 1 Nov 2010, 16:26 (Ref:2783525)

You must seen the Museum , the Old Town and the Cathedral .

But check before the open Days of the Museum .
http://www.planetware.com/le-mans/au...f-loi-masu.htm

Mal · 1 Nov 2010, 16:43 (Ref:2783530)

If you have a car then take it for a drive from Tetre rouge to Arnage and get a feel to the sheer scale of the circuit.

**Aysedasi** · 1 Nov 2010, 17:59 (Ref:2783581)

I certainly agree with what's been said so far (even though, in all honestly, I've never been to Le Mans out of season - except for the Classic in 02, but I guess that doesn't count....

Certainly the museum - I did that on the Tuesday prior to practice this year - one of those things you just have to do.. As is the drive around all of those parts of the circuit that are normally public roads for the rest of the year.

GT6 · 1 Nov 2010, 21:02 (Ref:2783715)

I would agree that you must drive those parts of the circuit that our nornal roads during the rest of the year, you will fell just smooth the roads are and you will notice the quality of the ride, the museum is also well worth a visit.

If you get a chance visit the tourist information in the town near the cathederal and as you walk around you will see the brass plates set into the pacements with the hands and names of all the great drivers.

**batmobile** · 1 Nov 2010, 21:24 (Ref:2783727)

Well, if you want to visit Le Mans in winter, not so much activity, because it's not a big town. Also, depends what you like to visit. If you come especially for the mechanical site, of course all is said: Museum, a visit inside the circuit and then drive on the public part of the circuit. But if you are a bit interested in history, you can visit the old town ( about 15th century and above ) : some places : http://www.lemanstourisme.com/dnn/me...3/Default.aspx and in the center as GT6 says, the drivers and their fingerprints : http://www.lemanstourisme.com/dnn/me...6/Default.aspx.
To eat, some restaurants in the old town , depends of what you look for.

Tim the Grey · 1 Nov 2010, 23:03 (Ref:2783788)

I forgot that bit. We took the time to 'do' a lap. Then I nearly got 'done' by a French m'cycle cop, for doing a U when aparently I shouldn't... I played dumb, and he shook his head, and all was OK. But driving down to Mulsanne has to be done.

racerkeke · 2 Nov 2010, 00:40 (Ref:2783837)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

But driving down to Mulsanne has to be done.

Just keep in mind that the chicanes aren't accessible -- so what you are seeing is "the old course". May I suggest you do not do it during morning or afternoon rush hours, lest you be held up by some old duffer in a 2CV en route to his seniors' card game at the Mulsanne community centre.

keke

**Bentley03** · 2 Nov 2010, 07:08 (Ref:2783888)

I went to Le Mans in late November or early December a few years back (the year Tertre Rouge was reprofiled, I posted a gallery of photos on here), and as Batmobile says, there's not a great deal going on at that time of year.

It really comes down to what has been recommended already: museum, old town (my Restaurant recommendation would be the Auberge des 7 Plats), cathedral. We found some decent bars scattered across the central part of the city, and some dodgy/quirky bars towards the station.

If you haven't been to the circuit before, make sure you go in and take a walk around. From the main entrance, a round trip to Tertre Rouge (turn left at the main entrance and keep walking, don't cross over the Dunlop Bridge) and back will take you about an hour or so. A tour of the pit straight will take rather less. But, whatever you do, you must go into the circuit and explore. You'll feel the magic as you walk around, even when it lies dormant. And, you'll have the place pretty much to yourselves.

I have also parked up in the area where the public road rejoins the permanent part of the circuit at the Porsche Curves enclosure and walked as far as the Ford Chicane and back (on the track itself). I suspect we weren't supposed to do this..........

Tim the Grey · 4 Nov 2010, 00:45 (Ref:2784696)

I work on the principle that if they don't say you can't, you can!

**Bentley03** · 4 Nov 2010, 06:17 (Ref:2784760)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

I work on the principle that if they don't say you can't, you can!

Even when there are metal railings across the road?

DCC · 12 Nov 2010, 20:37 (Ref:2789335)

Guys, sorry for the very late reply. First thank you all for your advices. After the first message I dealt with the last minute works for the French visa and now I'm in France and I'm planning to stay here till February (That's why I couldn't write anything, I was quite busy).

For Le Mans, I'm planning to visit the permanent track and the museum. I also want to take a ride on the public roads if I can rent a car. (Hope there are places to rent cars in Le Mans or I'll be walking all the way...)

As for the town center I've noted your advices and I'll also examine the links above.

Thanks again everyone.

lemansfan · 12 Dec 2010, 14:00 (Ref:2803286)

http://www.lemans.maville.com/actu/g...leriePhoto.Htm

Found this Winter Pics from the Area around Le Mans .

**Aysedasi** · 12 Dec 2010, 16:50 (Ref:2803335)

Hopefully not like that next June!

Gingers4Justice · 12 Dec 2010, 17:45 (Ref:2803354)

If it snows, please take pictures.

I've decided that I simply must have a snow-ball fight on the Mulsanne Straight before I die

DCC · 15 Jan 2011, 22:02 (Ref:2816209)

Just came back from Le Mans. What an experience!

Seen Le Vieux Mans, ate "les rilettes", visited the museum, bought books and posters from the boutique and (guess what) DROVE THREE LAPS FROM TERTRE ROUGE TO ARNAGE (including one lap at night) OH MY GOD!!!

From Tertre Rouge to the roundabout between Playstation and Michelin chicanes the road is a bit crowded, but after that it's just you and Le Mans! Braking hard from +100 km/h when turning left into Indianapolis has to be done. What a feeling man!

Today I became a pilgrim!

Simmi · 15 Jan 2011, 22:43 (Ref:2816216)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCC

Today I became a pilgrim!

So will you be visiting Le Mans in the summer?

DCC · 15 Jan 2011, 22:49 (Ref:2816218)

I think I must...

lemansfan · 16 Jan 2011, 17:09 (Ref:2816417)

Good to hear that you enjoy your Trip .

Steve Tarrant · 16 Jan 2011, 22:14 (Ref:2816533)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCC

I think I must...

GT6 · 17 Jan 2011, 08:34 (Ref:2816644)

I think you may find the roads a little different during June, for some reason 100,000 plus brits decend on the place and they close some of the roads for a few cars to race around for 24 hours

Le Vieux · 17 Jan 2011, 08:47 (Ref:2816651)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT6

I think you may find the roads a little different during June, for some reason 100,000 plus brits decend on the place and they close some of the roads for a few cars to race around for 24 hours

....and not just for racing. Mulsanne to Arnage is now closed all day to all traffic for several days before the big event.

100,000? The best estimate I've ever read put us as "only" 60,000 strong.

GT6 · 17 Jan 2011, 18:52 (Ref:2816940)

me exagerate never in a million years

I am sure that in the bentley period a few years ago there were close to that number but I do like to round to the nearest 100k

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