Table of Contents

Getting there

Whilst the majority takes a car to Le Mans it’s possible to do the weekend using a combination of planes, trains and buses. French public transport can be punctual and good value.

To Le Mans by air

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the nearest major international airport to Le Mans, it’s about 20 miles north of Paris. It has 3 terminals and a railway station served by the French high speed train TGV, more details further below. The other Paris airport is Orly, whilst it is located closer to Le Mans it does not have a direct TGV link. There is a direct coach link between the airports at a cost of about 16 euros. Alternatively Orly also has a train station for access to Paris city centre.

Nantes Airport (NTE) is also a possibility if you can fly www.ryanair.com. From Nantes a hire car or train (TGV) is possible. This is only 121 miles by road.

Le Mans Airport: If money is not a problem, there is one other way to Le Mans, shortest journey time of all and just a walk over the street to the circuit. You’d need to hire a private plane as there aren’t (currently) any scheduled flights. A quick search found the following http://www.mayfairdove.co.uk/ not to Le Mans but to Paris for £1500 day return, so Le Mans for £5-6000 looks possible.

To Le Mans by train

By train from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: Train tickets should be booked in advance (up to 3 months in advance), this can be done online at www.tgv-europe.com/en/. Another option is to use raileurope at www.raileurope.co.uk. The airport station is AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV, the station at Le Mans is called LE MANS GARE. Tickets can be delivered to your home, printed at home or collected at the stations on the day of departure.

The SNCF French Railways station at Paris-Charles-de Gaulle is located in Terminal 2:

In your arrivals terminal, take a look at the times of TGV, Thalys, Mainline and RER B regional express trains shown on the information screens. These screens are located opposite the exits from the baggage claim areas in Terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E and F). Moving from one Terminal to the next is easy (see travelling to Gare du Nord below).

You also need to validate your ticket (not print at home tickets) with a punch machine (“Composter”) located at the escalators above the platform. Locate the approximate place to stand by checking the monitors on the platform against your seat number.

There does not appear to be a limit to the amount of baggage you can take on board the TGV, but bear in mind that these trains start at Lille & terminate past Le Mans so baggage space will be at a premium.

If you miss your booked TGV, don't panic, you can exchange your ticket for one on the following TGV. The exchange will cost the difference between the price of the original ticket & the price of the ticket on the day plus a handling fee (approx 30 EURO). Also, don't worry, they do speak English.

Train schedule from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Le Mans (Subject to change, please check at www.sncf.fr for the latest schedule)

Departure CDG Airport Arrival at Le Mans
09:4911:27
12:4914:28
14:49 16:27
18:48 20:28

To reach the SNCF French Railway station (Gare du Nord) in Paris city centre via the TGV terminal at CDG:

Trains to “Gare du Nord” depart every 10 to 15 minutes between 0500 & 0000, travel time is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Current fares are 8.50 EUR.

From Le Mans railway station to the racetrack: Please see the chapter “Transport in Le Mans” in this guide

From the UK to Le Mans by train: From the UK it’s possible to get the Eurostar to Paris , then a TGV to Le Mans. However it means changing stations. www.eurostar.co.uk will provide the itinerary and prices. This is probably the quickest route from central London. It is actually possible to change in either Lille or Paris.The Eurostar website did not give up the route details easily so make sure you get the right connection. The Lille station is LILLE EUROPE not just Lille if you enter it into the SNCF website. So it should only be a platform change. The change in Paris requires a station change so either using the Metro, RTE (suburban service), or taking the time above ground and sightseeing. You would arrive at “Gare du Nord” and need to get to “Gare Montparnasse” allowing an hour by Metro.

Channel Crossings

PortRouteDurationCrossings per dayCompanyWeb Address
DoverDunkerque2 hours12Norfolk Linewww.norfolkline.com
DoverBoulogne-sur-Mer1:45h6LD Lineswww.ldlines.co.uk
DoverCalais1:00h15Sea Francewww.seafrance.com
DoverCalais1:00h25P & O Ferrieswww.poferries.com
FolkestoneCalais0:35h25Euro Tunnelwww.eurotunnel.com
HullZeebrugge14h1 overnightP & O Ferrieswww.poferries.com
NewhavenDieppe4:00h3Transmanche Ferrieswww.transmancheferries.co.uk
NewhavenLe Havre5:00h1LD Lineswww.ldlines.co.uk
PortsmouthCaen3:45h or 5:45h4Brittany Ferrieswww.brittany-ferries.co.uk
PortsmouthCherbourg3:00h2Brittany Ferrieswww.brittany-ferries.co.uk
PortsmouthSt Malo10:45h1Brittany Ferrieswww.brittany-ferries.co.uk
PortsmouthLe Havre8:00h1LD Lineswww.ldlines.co.uk
PooleCherbourg2:15hor 4:30h3Brittany Ferrieswww.brittany-ferries.co.uk
PlymouthRoscoff6:00h3Brittany Ferrieswww.brittany-ferries.co.uk

From the UK ports to Le Mans by car

Map: From the UK ports to Le Mans by carOver the next few pages, route directions from all of the channel ports are listed, they use the most direct and quickest roads. Terminating at the Centre des expositions, where tickets are collected, and it is also close to the circuit main entrance. The following table gives an overview of distances and toll costs (according to viamichelin.com) from the ferry ports to the circuit and approximate journey times.

Ferry PortTotal Distance km (m)Motorway/Express km(m)Peage Tolls in EurosTime
Dunkerque480 (300) 468 (295)26.70 5.0+
Calais440 (274) 415 (258) 26.70 4.5+
Boulogne-sur-mer408 (253) 383 (238) 26.70 4.0+
Dieppe287 (178) 259 (161) 19.40 3.0+
Le Havre257 (157)230 (143) 24.40 2.5+
Ouistreham190 (118) 111 (69) 10.50 2.5+
Cherbourg300 (186) 210 (130) 10.50 3.5+
St Malo237 (147) 217 (135) 9.90 2.5+
Roscoff380 (235) 343 (214) 9.90 4.5+

From the northern ferry ports the route is either via Rouen or by-passes it. The whole route (except the bit through Rouen!) is autoroute since the latest section of the A28 was opened. Going via Paris is an option; although, it is not for the faint hearted, you really need an encyclopaedic knowledge of the road system or a very good sat-nav. Also the Paris Peripherique is similar to the M25 and at times is a slow moving car park. If going straight to a “camp-site” which in ACO terminology is known as an “Aire d’Accueil” or if just “parking the car” which in ACO terminology is “Parking” look out for the appropriate coloured route sign as you near the circuit. Your ticket will clearly show the route to be followed. For example, Camping at Beausejour, you will need to follow “Itineraire Jaune” or “Parking Jaune”, this is more relevant when the circuit is “live” and the one way system is in operation. There are a number of useful maps which show the one-way system, either look here or use the official programme.

From Dunkerque Ferry Terminal To Le Mans Circuit Via Rouen A28

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the D916, Rue de Lille and the Route de Bergues for 3km.
2Turn right onto the A16/E402 for 150km CALAIS, LILLE, DUNKERQUE, PETITE SYNTHE, DUNKERQUE LES PORTS, CAR FERRY
3Passing Calais; Speed Camera after junction 46 near CALAIS; Speed Camera after junction 39 near WISSANT; Passing BOULOGNE-SUR-MER; Passing LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE
4Approaching Abbeville exit Junction 23 from A16 onto A28/E402 for 100kmLE TREPORT, ROUEN, LE HAVRE
5Passing ABBEVILLE, Passing BLANGY-SUR –BRESELE, Passing NEUFCHATEL-EN-BRAY
6Approaching ROUEN; There is a service Area just after Junction 12 and before ROUEN, might be worth a stop! The road number changes from the A28 to N28
7Getting across Rouen can be a bit tense. Using this route, you follow a single road and at junctions go straight across, don’t turn off. Signs to be followed if see are AUTRES DIRECTIONS or LE MANS or CAENS.AUTRES DIRECTIONS or LE MANS or CAENS
8Descend into Rouen along the N28 and enter the Tunnel de la Grand Mare, there is a speed camera just before the entrance.
9Go through the tunnel and stay on the N28. Passing the Gare Rouen-Martinville station on your left, cross the River Seine, using the Pont Mathilde. Continue, eventually reaching the junction with the N138 and go straight across.
10The road becoming the N338 watch out for the speed camera a short distance along.ELBEUF,LE MANS,PETIT-QUEVILLY-AUTRES QUARTIERS, GRAND-QUEVILLY
11After a few km’s the road rejoins the N138, continue for 5 kmLE HAVRE, CAEN, ELBEUF,LE MANS, GRAND-COURONNE
12Join the A13 for 13kmBOURG-ACHARD, PONT-AUDEMER,FECAMP, LE HAVRE, CAEN
13Approaching Bourg-Achard take the new junction from A13 onto A28/E402 for 180kmTOURS, LE MANS
14Around 30 km from Bourg-Achard you will pass over the new bridges at Brionne VIADUC du BEC & VIADUC du RISLIE
15Approaching LE MANS Exit Junction 22 from A28/E402 onto A11/E501 for 13kmCOULAINES, LE MANS Z.I. NORD, LE MANS-CENTRE, LE MANS-UNVERSITE, NANTES, RENNES
16Exit junction 9 from A11/E501 onto N226 for 12kmLE MANS-SUD, TOURS, LE MANS-ZONE-INDUSTRIELLE SUD, ALLONNES
17Take N23r (in effect a continuation of the N226) for 3km for CENTRE DES EXPOSITIONS for ticket collection or continue along N23r for 24 Le Mans circuit main entrance.

From Calais Ferry Terminal To Le Mans Circuit Via Rouen A28

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the exit road for 3km towards the A16/E402
2Turn onto A16/E402 for 110kmTUNNEL-SOUS-LA-MANCHE, BOULOGNE, ROUEN, MARQUISE, GARE T.G.V
3Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 2

From Calais Channel Tunnel Terminal To Le Mans Circuit Via Rouen A28

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From tunnel terminal take the exit road for 3km towards A16/E402
2Turn onto A16/E402 for 103kmBOULOGNE, ROUEN, PARIS
3Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 2

From Boulogne-sur-mer Ferry Port To Le Mans Circuit Via Rouen A28

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From ferry terminal take the exit road for 10km towards the A16/E402
2Turn onto the A16/E402 for 70kmBOULOGNE, CALAIS, TOUQUET (LE), ABBEVILLE, AMIENS, PARIS
3Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 2

From Dieppe Ferry Port To Le Mans Circuit Via Rouen A28

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the exit road for 8km. Beware speed camera. Turn left onto the D915 for 37km, passing by Arques-la-Bataille,Les Grandes-Ventes and Pommereval.
2Turn right onto the A28/E402.ROUEN
3Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 6

From Dieppe Ferry Port To Le Mans Circuit By-Passing Rouen

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the exit road for 2km, turn right onto the D925 towards Dieppe. Beware speed camera. Continue out of Dieppe eventually joining the N27 for 30kmROUEN
2Beyond Totes and the end of the N27 turn right onto the A29/E44LE HAVRE, CAEN
3Join “Alternative Route for by-passing Rouen” at step 6

Alternative Route For By-passing Rouen - When using the Dunkerque Ferry Terminal To Le Mans Circuit route

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1Using Dunkerque to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28 pick-up route from step 5
2Pass Neufchatel-en-Bray junction 9, A28/402LE PUCHEL, ROUEN, LE HAVRE
3Exit at Junction 11 from A28 onto A29/E44 for 34kmLE HAVRE, CAEN
4Exit at Junction 9 onto the N29 towards Yvetot for 5kmYVETOT, CANY-BARNVILLE, SAINT-VALERY-EN-CAUX
5Approaching Yvetot take the N15/E44 and by-pass Yvetot by following signs Toutes Directions - Or SignpostedFECAMP, LE HAVRE, YVETOT, PONT BROTONNE
6Once Yvetot has been passed take the D131 for 5km merging into the D490 passing over the Pont Brotonne and towards Bourg Achard for 15km.
7The D940 merges into the D313 for 12km following signs for A13 and join for 2kmELBEUF, ROUEN, PARIS, CAEN
8Exit at the next junction onto A28/E402 for 180kmALENCON, LE MANS
9Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28 route” at Step 13

From Le Havre Ferry Port To Le Mans Circuit

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the N15 for 7km. Beware speed camera.ROUEN-SUD, PARIS, PONT DE TANCARVILLE
2Turn onto the A131/E05 for 18km
3Leave the A131/E05 and turn onto the N182 to cross the River SeinePONT DE TANCARVILLE, BOLBEC
4Join the A131/E05 for 16kmROUEN, PARIS, EVEREUX, QUILLEBEUF-SUR-SEINE, PONT-AUDEMER
5Join the A13/E05/E46 for 16kmMAISON-BRULEE, ELBEUF, ROUEN, EVEREUX, PARIS
6Approaching Bourg-Achard take the new junction from A13 onto A28/E402 for 180km ALENCON, LE MANS
7Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 13

From Ouistream Ferry Port to Le Mans Circuit

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the D84 then D514 for 7kmCAENS
2Close to Benouville, continue along the D514 towards RanvilleRANVILLE, PEGASUS BRIDGE
3Once over the canal and river, turn right onto the D223 for 3kmCOLOBELLES
4Join the D513 for 3km
5Turn left onto the D403 for 3kmPERIPHERIQUE-SUD
6Join the N814, PERIPHERIQUE-SUD, for 4kmPERIPHERIQUE, ALENCON, RENNES, CHERBOURG
7Exit junction 13 from N814, and turn left onto the N158 for 80kmALENCON, LE MANS, FALAISE, ARGENTAN
8Close to Sees, turn onto the D238, and N138 for 4kmA28, ROUEN, ALENCON, LE MANS
9Turn onto the A28 for 70kmALENCON, LE MANS
10Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 15

From Cherbourg Ferry Port to Le mans Circuit

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the exit road N132 which merges into the N13/E46 for 120kmSAINT LO, CAEN, ISIGNY-SUR-MER, CARENTAN, COUTANCES
2Passing VALOGNES; Passing STE MARIE-EGLISE; Passing CARENTAN; Passing BAYEUX; Speed Camera East of Bayeux near Loucelles
3Join the N814, PERIPHERIQUE-SUD, FOR 12kmPERIPHERIQUE-SUD, PARIS, CAEN, LA MADELEINE
4Exit junction 13 from N814, and turn right onto the N158 for 80kmALENCON, LE MANS, FALAISE, ARGENTAN
5Join “Dunkerque ferry terminal to Le Mans circuit via Rouen A28” route at Step 15

From Saint Malo Ferry Port to Le Mans Circuit

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the N137 for 70kmDOL-DE-BRETAGNE, DINAN, RENNES
2Approaching Rennes turn left onto the N136FOUGERES, MAUREPAS
3Exit junction 1 from N136, and turn left onto the N157 for 40km, signposted - Speed Camera near Noyal-sur-VilaineLAVAL, LE MANS, NOYAL-SUR-VILAINE, VITRE
4West of Laval join the A81/E50 for 95kmLE MANS, MAYENNE
5Approaching LE MANS; Exit from A81/E50 onto A11/E501 for 11kmLE MANS-OUEST, LE MANS-CENTRE, LE MANS- ZONE INDUSTRIELLE-SUD, ANGERS, NANTES
6Exit junction 9 from A11/E501 onto N226 for 12kmLE MANS-SUD, TOURS, LE MANS-ZONE-INDUSTRIELLE SUD, ALLONNES
7Take N23r (in effect a continuation of the N226) for 3km for CENTRE DES EXPOSITIONS for ticket collection or continue along N23r for 24 Le Mans circuit main entrance.

From Roscoff Ferry Port to Le Mans Circuit

StepDirectionsRoute Sign
1From the ferry terminal take the D58 for 24kmSAINT-POL-DE-LEON, MORLAIX
2Approaching Morlaix turn left onto the N12/E50 for 185kmGUINGAMP, SAINT-BRIEUC, RENNES
3Approaching Rennes turn right onto the N136 for 16kmROCADE NORD, CAEN, LE MANS
4Exit junction 1 from N136, and turn right onto the N157 for 40km, signposted, Speed Camera near Noyal-sur-VilaineLAVAL, LE MANS, NOYAL-SUR-VILAINE, VITRE
5West of Laval join the A81/E50 for 95kmLE MANS, MAYENNE
6Approaching LE MANS; Exit from A81/E50 onto A11/E501 for 11kmLE MANS-OUEST, LE MANS-CENTRE, LE MANS-ZONE INDUSTRIELLE-SUD, ANGERS, NANTES
7Exit junction 9 from A11/E501 onto N226 for 12kmLE MANS-SUD, TOURS, LE MANS-ZONE-INDUSTRIELLE SUD, ALLONNES
8Take N23r (in effect a continuation of the N226) for 3km for CENTRE DES EXPOSITIONS for ticket collection or continue along N23r for 24 Le Mans circuit main entrance.

From the Paris airports to Le Mans by car

Its also easy to pick up a car and drive to the circuit. No full details here as the routes offered by www.theaa.com or www.rac.com give accurate directions and will be updated. The distance to Arnage is 151 miles. If you arrive at Orly then you have an advantage of being at least 20 minutes closer and with less traffic to contend with, from there it’s about 127 miles to Arnage. A few points on driving to the circuit:

Advice when using the tunnel

Boulogne to Le Mans - A pretty route for sports cars – Avoid big towns and boring roads

TownDirectionsMilesCum. Miles
Boulogne
From the port, follow directions to Abbeville (A16 motorway). Just prior to the motorway junction, is an E Leclerc hypermarket – a good fuel stop. Then on to the motorway, through the toll plaza and over the viaducts. This part of the journey is over a fast, relatively quiet toll motorway. It is a good psychological boost to eat up a few miles into France before lunch time. Alternatively, if you have plenty of time and fancy a more sedate start to your journey; take the near parallel D940 out of Boulogne down the coast towards Le Touquet, then Berck, Le Crotoy and then the D40 towards the A28 at Abbeville to continue the route below.54
Abbeville 54
Just before Abbeville, exit at junction 23 to the A28 motorway towards Rouen, paying at the toll plaza. At junction 3, leave the motorway and continue on the route national - D925 - D928(N28) There now follows a lovely tree lined stretch of road with good straights and long bends through a number of small villages. This road parallels the motorway and crosses and re-crosses it occasionally. Foucarmont has a subtle one way system that can catch out the unwary.32
Neufchatel 86
Just before Neufchatel, the road again crosses the motorway and then heads downhill in a nice twisty section into a valley and the town of Neufchatel. Here is a good stop for an early lunch. Park in the square by the church. Look out for other groups of Brits in little sports cars. Around the church and square are a number of quality cafes - bistros with the usual French fare - plat de jour. When you’ve filled up on Croc Monsieur and Leffe, continue towards St Martin Osmonville - D92817
A28 junction 12 103
Even though the roads through Rouen have been improved, any way of skirting the main centre can be a challenge. To continue the ‘pretty route’ theme with the minimum of drama, this is what I suggest. Rejoin the A28 motorway at junction 12. I suggest stopping at Quincampoix rest area for a comfort break and to ‘regroup’ prior to attacking Rouen. 17
Rouen 120
Continue into Rouen, down into the tunnel. Now pay attention. BEFORE you cross the River Seine, turn off the motorway onto the N14 / N15 towards the airport. This is a tricky junction with traffic lights, watch out for battered Renaults trying to push into your lane. At the fork in the road, head right downhill on the N15. Big clue – the River Seine will be on your right – you are on the east bank.15
Rouen 135
At a roundabout, continue right on the D7 towards Cleon. This will shortly become a duel carriageway and pass under the A13 motorway. There are now many traffic lights – easy to split up your group. Follow the D7 towards Elbeuf, crossing the River Seine.15
Elbeuf 150
Drive thorough Elbeuf town and up the hill, heading towards Verneuil, the road becoming the D840. This next stretch again follows the French tradition of long, empty, tree lined straight roads – great for care free, top down motoring. Either follow the le Neubourg, Conches and Breteuil bypasses or pass through the villages (taking in a bit of the local culture / more wine and beer) continuing on the - D8442
Verneuil 192
Follow the ‘ring road’ and join the N12 towards Mortagne, this road has a number of dual carriageway stretches – great for convoy photos. Approaching Mortagne, follow the centre ville signs and directions to Belleme (D930 / D912 / D938).24
Mortagne 216
As before, Mortagne has a main square and a labyrinth of one way lanes. Just keep and eye out for signs and directions. Above all, follow your heart as Le Mans is just over the horizon. Continue on the D938 to Belleme.12
Belleme 228
Yet more tree lined vistas as your approach this small town. Continue on the D938 / D301 through St Cosme en Vairais to Bonnetable.16
Bonnetable 244
On the Bonnetable bypass, look out for signs to the Super U. This is a convenient fuel stop and, perhaps, a place to stock up on provisions and beer for your first night under canvas. Continue on the D301 to Savigne.10
Savigne l’Eveque 254
You’re getting excited now. Turn left on the D20bis. Continue, shortly, the road parallels a motorway. Follow signs towards Change and join the N23 dual carriageway. Leave the N23 at either the N138 (for a clockwise tour of the public road sections of the 24 Hour circuit) or the next junction on (D139) and follow the loop road to the main entrance of the circuit. For Maison Blanche campsite – follow signs to Camping / Parking Blanc.11
Le Mans 265
You’ve arrived, set your camp up, met old friends and are on your way to the Stella Bar for a well earned cold Leffe. Have a great time, see some of the racing and soak up the atmosphere – you’ll be back next year. As a challenge, now try this route in reverse, back to Boulogne. We’ll see you on the way.