A visitor guide to Le Mans

Buckle up and start your engines for an exciting trip to Le Mans. When you hear this name you might think of the iconic 24-hour race that has defined sports endurance for decades, but Le Mans is so much more. With over 24 hours at your disposal – or even a full weekend – we’ve compiled a guide on how you can make your trip even more exciting and memorable.

Sitting alongside a small hill, the quaint town of Le Mans (yes, it’s a town as well!) spans over 50 acres of gorgeous medieval cobbled streets. This historic area is a great place to explore before you start experiencing the Le Mans 2023 race.

What is Le Mans?

Le Mans (a.k.a 24 Hours of Le Mans) is a legendary endurance motorsport challenge that takes place annually in the city of Le Mans, France. Running since 1923, it’s the oldest endurance race in the world, featuring some of the toughest race teams and manufacturers from around the world.

Each year this race is organized in mid-June where different classes compete: Hypercar (formerly LMP1), “Le Mans” Prototype 2 (LMP2), and the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) Pro/Am. As part of the FIA World Endurance Championships, the race is one of the seven endurance races held on tracks across several continents – from Portugal to Bahrain and the USA to Japan.

Founded by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the race was designed to push mechanical innovation in the automotive industry. To this day, the race acts as a proving ground where top automobile manufacturers such as Porsche, Peugeot, Ferrari and Toyota test the best of their sports engineering prowess and compete for success.

The Circuit

The circuit at La Sarthe has long been the home of the Le Mans 24-hour. With eight miles of demanding tarmac, featuring all-out straights, fast sweeping bends and tight chicanes, it’s a circuit that has an infamous reputation. You'll get a sense of every bit of this history when you visit.

How to get to Le Mans Circuit

Located around 80 km north of Tours, Le Mans isn’t necessarily close to many major cities. Luckily, there are plenty of transport options available, especially when visiting around the time of the race.

• By plane: While not a major location, Le Mans does have its own airport - Le Mans-Arnage Airport (LME). Airlines such as EasyJet and Air France often run flights to the city during the racing season. 
• By train: Trains connect to Le Mans from a variety of locations including London (indirect) and Paris. The average cost from Paris is around 20 euros while a trip directly from the UK would cost several times more.
• By car/Road One convenient way to travel to Le Mans would be by renting your own car. Available in most cities, renting is a quick and easy way to grab a vehicle suited to your trip and convenient to your party size.

Where to stay during Le Mans

Before embracing the speed and power of roaring sports cars, you should plan out your stay. While the drivers at Le Mans 24-hour have to endure tiredness as part of the race, you don’t have to! Below we’ve broken down each option for a great stay with their pros and cons:

Hotels

Hotels in and around Le Mans offer a range of amenities and comfort levels to ensure a pleasant stay. With a variety of options including budget-friendly options like the Ibis Le Mans to luxurious establishments such as Mercury Le Mans Centre, there is something for everyone.

Pros:

• Comfort and convenience for the whole family
• High level of services and facilities.
• Great food available on-site

Cons:

• Higher cost, especially for premium hotels.
• Limited availability during peak race periods.
• Lack of good viewing spots for the race.

Holiday rentals

Holiday rentals like apartments, B&Bs, and villas in Le Mans city provide more independent and spacious accommodation. These can be a great choice for families or groups of friends looking for flexibility and a ‘home away from home’ blended with an authentic French lifestyle. Consider looking for properties in surrounding towns and villages, such as Moncé-en-Belin, Laigné-en-Belin, Teloché and Ruaudin.

Pros:

• Flexibility and privacy.
• More space for larger groups.
• Option to cook your own meals.
• Potential cost savings for longer stays.

Cons:

• Limited availability, especially closer to the race dates.
• Distance from the circuit may vary.
• Potentially little-to-no on-site services
• May be tougher to navigate around

Campsites

For those seeking a more adventurous and budget-friendly experience, Le Mans camping offers a unique way to immerse yourself in the race atmosphere. Camping facilities near Le Mans often provide basic amenities like showers, toilets, and electricity. Some campsites offer dedicated areas for race enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to socialize with like-minded fans and catch a glimpse of the action.

Pros:

• Affordability, particularly for budget travelers.
• Sense of community and excitement among fellow campers for an all-around immersive experience.
• Proximity to the circuit, enhancing the viewing possibilities.

Cons:

• Limited comfort compared to hotels or holiday rentals.
• Basic amenities and facilities.
• Camping spots may not be comfortable for everyone.
• Higher demand during the race period, requiring early booking.

Overall, where you decide to stay will greatly impact your costs. Factors such as proximity to the circuit, the level of comfort, and the time of booking all affect this, so it’s best to book your trip early to avoid disappointment.

Whether you prefer the convenience of a hotel, the independence of a holiday rental, or the adventurous spirit of camping, Le Mans offers a range of choices to cater to different preferences and budgets.

In the end, the choice is yours. Are you a dedicated fan whose priority is the race? Go for the camping route. But if you’re with family and children, you may want to opt for the comfort and convenience of a hotel or rental.

What to do at Le Mans

The Le Mans circuit

The Le Mans circuit offers more than just high-speed thrills. Rev up your trip in a different way with these exhilarating experiences when visiting the 24 hours of Le Mans:

Start off by embracing the pulse of race day, as the circuit roars to life during special events surrounding the main event. Watch out for driver parades, autograph sessions, and electrifying concerts to attend. These turbocharged activities add an extra dose of excitement to the already carnival atmosphere.

You can also geek out as a petrolhead at the Le Mans Museum, where history comes alive in an alternative way. Explore the heritage of the iconic Le Mans racetrack and learn more about pivotal moments such as the disaster of 1955, or legendary wins like the 1966 race.

With interesting activities and areas, including fan zones, gift shops and food stands all around the festival, there's a ton to do and atmosphere to soak up, no matter how much of a racing fan you are.

The Le Mans area

Beyond the chequered flag, Le Mans is a beautiful medieval city asking to be explored. While not a famous destination by any means, it does have a lot of historical significance as it is here in Le Mans that in 1129 Geoffrey Plantagenet wed Matilda, daughter of King Henry I of England, and gave birth to Henry II.

If you’ve got any extra free time when staying at Le Mans, consider the following excursions:

• Discover the medieval streets of the Cité Plantagenêt where you can encounter gorgeous French architecture.
• Take a drive in your rental to nearby towns and cities like Tours, Angers, and Chartres, where timeless charm collides with a modern outlook.
• Explore the countryside of the enchanting Pays de la Loire region, which has photogenic castles spread across the area and some great treks to undertake.
• For an extra dose of speed and excitement, rev your engines towards the Alain Prost Circuit, a destination known as Circuit Bugatti.

Why should I visit Le Mans?

The Le Mans 24-hour race is an unmissable experience that a lot of people have been waiting for. 2023 will be its centennial race, marking 100 years of this high-speed competition famous for showcasing a balance of skill, strategy, and endurance.

Le Mans offers a unique experience, no matter if you’re a racing fan or not. For motorsport enthusiasts, witnessing a one-of-a-kind endurance race on an iconic racetrack has its own charm, while the vibrant culture of the city can appeal to all.