TGV to Le Mans

[Mr Toad]

Any tips much appreciated - I have drawn the short straw for next year and will have to go down to LM (from London) as part of an advance party with Mr Disco. We will not have wheels, as they are being delivered by our "sponsor" later in the week

Problem one - I'm thinking of taking the TGV to Le Mans - is this direct, or how best to handle this? Eurostar then change at Lille? Has anyone tried this? Will they let me bring the BBQ & pool on board?

Problem Two - I'm going to be stuck on MB with a motorhome but no way of getting to Carrefour - has anyone ever seen a bus around the track? Or is there any kind soul on MB who would trade a Carefour shopping trip in their car for some cold beer?

Thanks to anyone who might have an angle on the above! Toady

[Robbo SPS]

What day are you arriving

[Steve Pyro]

Mr Toad, I put up a post about the TGV etc back in July, I've just had a dig in the archives and here it is :-

One of our group came down to Le Mans independantly by train.  When phoning Eurostar, he initially asked for a single (knowing he was coming back in my car) on Eurostar - Ashford to Paris (£159).  Then the sales person said if he bought a dated return ticket booked for specific train times the offer price came down to £89 - return.
The TGV from Paris to Le Mans was £29 single (or approx twice that for a return).

So single trip £118.
Return trip £147.

He brought all his camping gear and a change of clothes in a big bag.

Hope this is of some help.  The TGV is direct from Paris (the south western station).  He crossed Paris on the metro.

[Matt Harper]

If you don't fancy all the hassle of getting across Paris from Gare du Nord to M/masse, you can get a direct TGV from Lille to Angers (the TGV goes like the clappers on this route) and then get a local train to Le Mans.
No quicker or cheaper - just takes Paris out of the equation.

[Kpy]

Toad
I could pick you up from Fretun - Calais TGV , or LM  - run you to LM and back, plus do the shopping etc, introduce you to "interesting people" etc, etc
minimal fee
- just email me kpylaws@aol.com

[smokie]

Toad, when do you want to travel (or more to the point, arrive?)

[Mr Toad]

Thanks all for the help here - we want to arrive at MB around 10.00 Mon am (which is when our motorhome is due to be delivered)...working the train times back, I expect this won't be straightforward, but I wondered about an overnight somewhere on route. So, leave the UK on Sun pm? I've then got till Thu am to get the pool filled when the main crew turn up! Toad

[Gilles]

If you don't fancy all the hassle of getting across Paris from Gare du Nord to M/masse, you can get a direct TGV from Lille to Angers (the TGV goes like the clappers on this route) and then get a local train to Le Mans.
No quicker or cheaper - just takes Paris out of the equation.

What a strange Idea !!!

The direct TGV from Lille to Angers stops at LM !!! So why continue until Angers?

probably you was sleeping in the bar coach and wake up aftre LM station !!!

[Gilles]

In every station you'll have only 2 to 3 minutes to get off the train, so try not to be embararrassed with so much luggage.

You'll find a good boy to pick you at the station, leave you at MB or at Carrefour (why not directly buy your BBQ at Carrefour and leave you's own at home, you'll have more space for the pool ! )

I can be your shuttle service as long as your time of arrival is compatible with my schedule.

[Stu]

You could always ask one of the early arrivals to transport some of your gear down so its there when you arrive which will enable you to travel light. I'm sure someone will help. I hope to arrive on Monday evening about 5pm and hopefully on MB travelling from Newcastle if thats any help. There'll be no shortage of super market trips available.

[smokie]

Toad, I haven't yet firmed up travel plans. But this year myself and Mark travelled Dover Calais on Sunday in an Omega towing my caravan. We stopped overnight in Gace and were on MB certainly by lunchtime Monday. We travel from Wokingham Berks, along M3/M25/M26/M20, although I haven't priced ferries yet so it's conceivable that we might do the Long Crossing (Portsmouth to somewhere) if the price is right.

I'm going to Munich with Mark next w/e (to meet up with GAB!), and will be deciding plans then, if you might be interested in sharing costs then we might have a spare seat (or do you need more than 1?). You'd need to come somewhere suitable to meet us, as I am not planning to drive my caravan round London!

This depends on me receiving some tickets from the ACO of course! Let me know if you might be interested.

[Matt Harper]

If you don't fancy all the hassle of getting across Paris from Gare du Nord to M/masse, you can get a direct TGV from Lille to Angers (the TGV goes like the clappers on this route) and then get a local train to Le Mans.
No quicker or cheaper - just takes Paris out of the equation.

What a strange Idea !!!

The direct TGV from Lille to Angers stops at LM !!! So why continue until Angers?

probably you was sleeping in the bar coach and wake up aftre LM station !!!

You are correct, as usual Gilles. Please excuse my brain fart.
As you may remember, my parents live near Saumur, so I've never got off at Le Mans. Sorry about the 'strange idea', not the first one I've had, I can assure you.

[Robbo SPS]

Toad, I haven't yet firmed up travel plans. But this year myself and Mark travelled Dover Calais on Sunday in an Omega towing my caravan. We stopped overnight in Gace and were on MB certainly by lunchtime Monday. We travel from Wokingham Berks, along M3/M25/M26/M20, although I haven't priced ferries yet so it's conceivable that we might do the Long Crossing (Portsmouth to somewhere) if the price is right.

I'm going to Munich with Mark next w/e (to meet up with GAB!), and will be deciding plans then, if you might be interested in sharing costs then we might have a spare seat (or do you need more than 1?). You'd need to come somewhere suitable to meet us, as I am not planning to drive my caravan round London!

This depends on me receiving some tickets from the ACO of course! Let me know if you might be interested.

You mean you havent yet booked the ferry !!
P&O will be doing new deals onthe Caen Vommit Comet soon to fill up advance bookings

[Mr Toad]

Dear all - I'm touched by your offers of help & support here. Latest this end is that I've got a trailer to bring the kit down with the 'home- so now I just need to get 2 of us down with no gear. I'll wait for Mr Disco (who's coming down with me) to come back from flight school in a couple of weeks and discuss options and then get back in touch to see how our plans might fit. Kpy, Gilles & Smokie - thanks a million. Whatever the outcome, I hope you will allow my chef to knock you up something to wash down with an ice cold beer on MB!

[Brian(Liverpool boys)]

Mr Toad, you are welcome to a lift to supermarket with THE Liverpool Boys, we will be on MB, on the Sunday evening.
Brian.