Club Arnage

OK,

This is the list of the campsites - can you offer to provide a few words and pictures to the site that you are staying on this year so that we can incorporate into next year's guide.

I can update the list here if we can get a few volunteers?

Arnage - Dukla
Beausejour
Blue Nord
Blue Sud
Dairon
Expo
Houx Annex
Houx - Aricus
Epinettes
Interior Musee
Karting Nord
Maison Blanche
Mulsanne
Pincenardiere
Tertre Rouge

What's the deadline for this? We're on Epinettes this year now we are officially MB refugees and arriving on the Sunday 12th .... Can give you a rundown then if not too late.

think he's getting ahead for the 2017 guide, which isn't a bad idea - update when it's still fresh

Happy to do so - once I get there on the Fri and meet up with the team (when I know where I am going!)...

...seriously though - happy to suggest updates as culled from my experiences and those around me.

Some of my past work The Black Sea or bust Tour (http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=68099) and The Balkans (http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?t=44197) to give you a flavour.  I can be serious as well (http://forum.difflock.com/viewtopic.php?p=438116#438116)  8)

Jason,

Yes, that's exactly the idea, capture the knowledge this year and use for next year's guide.

Aricus

I'll be on Expo as soon as it opens, so I guess I could cover that one.

In that case, put me down for Epinettes then .....  ;D

Who else can spare a few minutes?

All we need is a few words and some paragraphs - my suggestion is:

• facilities toilets/shops/bars/water,
  access by car and foot to the track,
  mood and kind of campers,
  security,
  ground - level wet/dry/hard
  desirability -

Great - so, this is the names and sites - have I missed anyone?

Arnage - Dukla
Beausejour
Blue Nord
Blue Sud
Dairon
Expo - Pilgrim
Houx Annex
Houx - Aricus
Epinettes - JDS
Interior Musee
Karting Nord
Maison Blanche
Mulsanne
Pincenardiere
Tertre Rouge

I can have a go at Blue Nord as im probably the only sober one on it  :)

3 words that don't go together, Bleu, Nord, sober.   ;)

Lofty and I can do Beausejour.

I can do Mulsanne.

If Garage Vert was on your list I would consider offering my services to do that, but seeing as it's not listed, maybe I'll just keep my opinions to myself?!

Tink,

Yes please - I will add Garage Vert - not sure how it fell off!

Aricus

Updated list - thanks!

Arnage - Dukla
Beausejour - Bonio
Blue Nord -  NorwayNick
Blue Sud
Dairon
Expo - Pilgrim
Garage Vert - Tink
Houx Annex
Houx - Aricus
Epinettes - JDS
Interior Musee
Karting Nord
Maison Blanche
Mulsanne - slash
Pincenardiere
Tertre Rouge

Have I missed anyone or campsites?

Is anyone able to help with the others?

Aricus

Hi Nick,
           Thanks that lets me off the hook  ;D I can consult about tenting and flag pole erections   if you like  :D
Phil

Hi Phil, thanks all input welcome, best chairs to sleep in could be a new section ;D

I will do some chair testing if you are short of volunteers, I am known across the globe as more than capable of sleeping in a chair...


>Martini...LB

I'll do Terte Rouge campsite.

Updated - we have a few omissions - is anyone on any of the others?

Arnage - Dukla
Beausejour - Bonio
Blue Nord -  NorwayNick
Blue Sud
Dairon
Expo - Pilgrim
Garage Vert - Tink
Houx Annex
Houx - Aricus
Epinettes - JDS
Interior Musee
Karting Nord
Maison Blanche
Mulsanne - slash
Pincenardiere
Tertre Rouge - Rhin0

have I missed anyone who has offered?

Aricus

We have omissions - can anyone help?

Aricus

Although already covered, I'm in Epinettes this year but am happy to add as required.

Hi can do houx annexe

Nordic,

Thanks!

Aricus

As per Werner's post in the guide thread, he sees the guide taking it's last bow in 2016 but things like the campsite info remaining relevant and being maintained in the Wiki. So in that vein, as promised some weeks back, here is my update for the Epinettes (or Epilepsy as it's colloquially become known!) campsite:

Epinettes review (update on the current CA Wiki entry):

Epinettes was introduced as a new site in 2015 to replace some of the space lost by the scaling back of Maison Blanche. The entrance is via a large red steel gate situated south of the entrance to Houx and Houx Annexe on the opposite side of the road (ensure that you do not try to enter the private campsite just before it). There is a large sign on the entrance confirming it is the official Epinettes campsite.

Site overall: Good facilities (toilets/showers) and in line with all official ACO sites these days, well cleaned and stocked with toilet paper etc. Flat ground with a circular gravel roadway around approx 50% of the site. The standard ACO 7x5 marked (but unnumbered in 2015/16) pitches and these are allocated on arrival - the idea appears to be that the staff try and put motorhomes together, then tents etc. The whole thing was a little chaotic on day one, but they soon got the process down to a fine art. Late comers (and BSJ overflow) were put in a wooded and very muddy area to the right of the entrance - you would be quite upset if that was your allocated area - no facilities and what was, effectively, a swamp.

Access: Epinettes is easy to navigate to and from by car - accessed by the same routes as Houx by following the “Vert” camping signs. As a result you have to run the same guantlet of Houx Roundabout area on Mad Friday - keep windows up and doors locked unless you want to get wet. It is also approx. 5-8 mins walk from the Antares tram stop making it ideal for those people wishing to arrive via train/public transport.

Getting around: It is quite well situated with Terte Rouge being approx. 15 minute walk (past the entrance for Houx & Houx Annexe) and the paddock approx. 15-20 mins walk through Houx and under the Bugatti track tunnel. If you want to get into town for scrutineering or the drivers parade, the tram is 5-8 mins walk away from the entrance. There is a stop outside the entrance for the Line 6 ‘Petit Train’ if your legs aren’t up to the walk. A bike is useful but by no means essential. It’s about a 30-40 min walk to Beausejour/Porsche Curves.

Tickets: 95 € (2016)
For cars and campervans
Marked but unnumbered pitches

Entrance gate: 47.951683, 0.218157

I can't update the wiki, so I leave this here for someone who can to make the changes.

To add to JDs's write up - thank you

There is power available from adjacent to the toilet block(s) for those with extension leads.

Nothing to add.  Good summary.

This was the 2nd year we were in Epinettes, the wooded area at the entrance was equally as wet last year and also used, so not sure it was just an overflow area.  Traditionally we have been in Expo and I think Expo is marginally nearer the track, it certainly feels less distance without all the steps to cross under the Bugatti circuit. However Epinettes does have a much greater choice of entrances to the circuit.

Agreed re Epinette. I would add to "getting around" that there is another small pedestrian circuit entrance between Houx and Houx Annexe that takes you directly through the tunnels under the Bugatti circuit and pops you up at the Dunlop bridge - v.handy. Ticket price quoted is, I think the full rate without ACO membership discount. On access, perhaps worth also making the point that you can get to it via Arnage/BSJ roundabout as well as from Vert signage. To tap into the power at the loo block you need a) to be there early and b) have a long lead!

MG Mark

Garage Vert

Access We arrived on Sunday afternoon and the campsite was already open. Finding the entrance is a bit tricky - as you come in to the circuit from the mulsanne, you will pass the tram stop and the stadium on your right. There is a pedestrian entrance to garage vert straight ahead of you (which only opens to pedestrians on Wednesday) but the main/vehicle entrance to the campsite is hidden away, off to the right. It is a shared entrance with hunaudieres campsite. It is also worth noting that both the pedestrian and vehicle entrances are locked shut from sunday night, so after the race has finished the only way to get off the campsite is to head towards houx.

Proximity The site provides good, quick access to various parts of the track. Getting to the Dunlop bridge is a 5/10 minute walk through the tunnels under the Bugatti Circuit. Similarly, getting to the inside edge of the Dunlop Essess is a 5/10 minute walk, where you can get some great views of the cars emerging from under the Dunlop bridge and snaking down through the esses. You can just about see a screen from here. Tetre Rouge is about 10/15 walk where there is also a screen (although didn't appear to work during practice or qualifying). The outside of the dunlop esses can be reached in 15/20. The pit straight is probably a solid 30 minute walk, but most of this can be done trackside if you join the circuit by the dunlop bridge. One of the best things about Garage Vert though is the proximity to the tram stops - 5 minutes walk from the campsite which is ideal if you want to pop into town for scrutineering, drivers parade, or even if you just want to pop down to the Carrefour without taking the car. Being so close to Tetre Rouge also means you're only a short walk away from the Tetre Rouge bar which offers cold beer and TV screens which were showing the football this year if that's your thing and it's a tournament year. 

Facilities The facilities are generally good. There's a plumbed in toilet block which is kept relatively clean. Unfortunately there is only one throne in the gents, although there was generally always toilet paper! There are more toilets by the pedestrian entrance but these don't open until Wednesday. There are half a dozen showers which were generally clean and the ones I used tended to be scalding hot.

Atmosphere More of a sedate atmosphere than some of the more party-centric campsites like Houx or Bleu Nord. We arrived on Sunday when it was very quiet. There weren't really any other arrivals until Wednesday when it started to fill up. Most people tended to come in cars and pitch tents with gazebos. There was the odd marquee but nothing too grandiose. There were a few motorhomes as well. There was a decent atmosphere but you didn't get people partying into the wee small hours. You can actually get a reasonably decent night's sleep early in the week, although the campsite is flood-lit so from inside your tent it's impossible to tell whether it's night or day.

General Pitches are standard 7x5 but they are unallocated so you can turn up and camp wherever you like (well, we could when we turned up on the Sunday, I think the marshalls tried a bit harder to direct people to certain pitches/areas later in the week, but once the marshalls had gone, those people just moved to wherever they wanted to camp!). The campsite has a half tarmac/half gravel road along the outside edge. It's generally flat but there's a gentle slope towards the fence (which tends to get used as a latrine later in the week by people too lazy to walk the 100m to the toilets). There is only a very thin layer of topsoil so getting tent pegs in can be tricky - we had to use a drill one year to create pilot holes. This year was wet and muddy because the rain water didn't drain away. I'm afraid I have no idea how much the tickets cost as someone else in our group bought the tickets this year!

Aricus - I have some pictures as well which I'd be happy to send over to you/upload to somewhere useful.

Morning, I will attempt my update of the Beausejour campsite in the same format as previously written by others.

Access Access to the site is just on the inside of the Porsche Curves to the east of Arnage on the R.D 92. There are many ways to gain access but the easiest we have found over the years is from Arnage (the road that passes by the train station off the roundabout in Arnage by the bank). The access via the road that follows down through the Blue campsites and main entrances are very busy and you  can find that you will get caught up in heavy traffic. Once under the bridge of the Porsche curves you will find the entrance to the site about 200m further down the road on your right. Be aware though that there is a Danish tour operators site just before the main entrance. We arrived on Wednesday so unfortunately I do not know when the site opens.

Proximity The site is located on the inside of the Porsche Curves and for access to that part of the track is fantastic with only about a 10 min walk at the most to gain entry to it. As for the rest of the circuit though be prepared for a much longer walk i.e to get to Maison Blanche entrance then you need to allow yourself a good 30 min walk and maybe 45 mins to walk to the tram stop. This means that bicycles are a essential must. All is not lost though as the ACO do provide buses to the Techno Park and other locations around the circuit if you do want to rest your weary legs though these tend to get full very quickly and the regularity of them can not be predicted. There was a bike hire facility at the site this year too but as for the prices, I never investigated.

Facilities Lots of facilities to ensure your stay is as pleasant as it can be in the sprawling city of canvas. Lots of toilets are spread throughout the site with minimal queueing, always kept clean and plenty of bog paper in all of them. The showers were also spread pretty evenly around the site but there were at busy times quite lengthy queues. The water at times was also more cooling than hot but this may just be due to the demand at the time. At the main entrance there is also a bar and burger place for your refreshment as well as a shop selling items such as bread, water, bog roll and other nik nacs for the average camper. I have already mentioned about the bike hire. There was also an AA van located on the site ready to assist anyone who had membership and a problem with their vehicle.

Atmosphere Ha, now we get to the gritty. Beausejour has a little of a reputation of being something Aka: Mad Max. Now as someone who has stayed there for about the last 7 years I can confirm that the site has had its moments but the last 2 years or so it seems to have quietened down considerably. Yes there still are the crazy element who seem to have a fixation with air horns and European techno music but there are also the mainstream peeps who are there for the racing, meeting of likewise fans and general chilling. Really there is something for everyone and we have never had any trouble and made good friends over the years. The security team there are also on the ball, when there has been any high spirits the security team have been able to calm the situation quickly and diplomatically thus ensuring everyone has a good time.

General You are allocated the standard pitches but these are not marked, so we tend to turn up and spread our clutter as much as we can until someone says otherwise and we come to a compromise. Now Bsj is quite a sprawling site with many tour operators having their own mini sites within it but if you know where to look you can find your own piece of turf to make your own. We usually go into the field or woods next-door to the Village on the Curves as it is quite isolated from the main site and thus quieter. There are metalised roads that take you through the site but beware if there has been heavy rain as in the case this year, then the site can have a lot of standing water. Likewise during hot years it can become quite a dust bowl. There used to also be quite a lot of action on the Bsj roundabout on the Friday night but thankfully this seems to have moved back up towards the Houx sites now. If you are into your Black ops then this is defiantly the site for you too, with great access to the inner part of the circuit you can get to the safety barriers down the Mulsanne or the outside of Indy corner if you know where to go.

Security You will have your vehicle partially searched when you first enter the site (This is only a cautionary glance and no rifling through your possessions takes place). I think they are just looking for gas bottles as we had bottled beer and they did not say anything. As stated previously, they also are very quick to respond to incidents that may happen on the site and regular can be seen doing patrols on quad bikes. When we left on the Monday morning they were still at the main entrance so I presume they were still on duty. We have not personally experienced any thieving or the like over the years but this does not mean that it does not happen.

Overall The cheapest of all the ACO sites and that is for a reason i.e. the location, its a fair way from the main part of the circuit. Yes it does have a reputation but that has evaporated over the years and as with any site, you cannot pick your neighbours. You will not be left wanting of any facilities and the access to the inside of the Porsche Curves is fantastic. Out of ten, I would give it a six.

Evening All. Here's the Expo campsite report, albeit belatedly.

Access Access is pretty good, with one main pedestrian and vehicle entrance within two minutes walk of the main circuit entrance. The nearest bar (the world-famous 'Aux Portes du Circuit' AKA 'Jeannine's) is only about 90 seconds walk from the Expo entrance. The site opens on the Sunday before the race at 10am.

Proximity It really couldn't be any closer to the circuit without being inside it. Which is great if you're, like me, disabled or chronically ill. The walk between the Expo entrance and the main circuit entrance is slightly downhill entering the circuit and shouldn't be too difficult to make the return trip. As I go on foot and don't have a vehicle, I find that specially convenient.

Facilities Frankly, woefully inadequate. I found only a couple of toilet and shower blocks in which not all the showers were always operational. The simple fact is that there just aren't enough sanitary facilities for the number of campers, especially later in race week when the site really starts to fill up. So, it would benefit enormously from more ablutions blocks. That said, they are usually kept in decent condition.

Atmosphere Definitely not a site for the party animals amongst us. The atmosphere tends to be one of sociable calmness (by 24 Hours standards, anyway). Expo folk aren't party poopers, but we're not prone to constant drunkenness and industrial-volume music going 24 hours a day. If you're looking for a party site then Beausejour and what remains of Houx Annexe are probably more your thing but, if you like things a little quieter, then you might find Expo more to your liking. Personally, I've come to like this site very much.

General You don't get marked pitches on Expo. The cattle sheds are great if you're travelling with a small vehicle. bike or arriving on foot. They do have concrete floors, though, so banging in tent pegs isn't really an option. You could use an electric screwdriver but, as these are used as cattle sheds the rest of the year, I wouldn't do it. I don't like the thought of leaving an animal lame because they stepped on a screw I'd left sticking out of the concrete. The grassy areas are often on very thin soil so, if you're looking to pitch tents/gazebos instead of using pop-ups, you want to get there early to find one of the relatively rare spots where pegs will actually go into the ground and stay there.

Security Theft isn't much of a problem on Expo. There's only one way in and out and there's no through traffic from other sites, making it one of the safer sites to camp on. If you take sensible precautions like not leaving valuables on display, locking anything valuable in your vehicle and using vehicle locks, bike chains, alarms and so on, you should be fine. Expo's as safe a site as any and better than some.

Overall I like it a lot. It's a close to the main entrance as it can be. It's not rammed with drunkards and general idiocy 24 hours a day. Theft isn't something to worry about beyond the usual precautions. It's only a short walk (around ten minutes) from the nearest tram stop (Guetteloup) and Jeannine's is literally across the road. For me, it's as close to perfect as I can get.

Score 8/10. It would have been 9/10 except for the woeful lack of sanitation facilities.