The best viewpoints at Le Mans

The 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race is world-renowned and racing fans flock in their hundreds of thousands to see a piece of the action. Experience the best of the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe and plan your visit to these essential viewpoints. Whether you’re looking to soak up the fan atmosphere at Le Mans grandstand by the start/finish straight or the thrill of the Mulsanne Corner, look no further than our Hertz Racing Gold guide.

What is Le Mans 24h?

24 Hours of Le Mans is the official title of the day-long endurance race that takes place every year in northern France. As part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the event often takes place in the middle WEC calendar – in 2023, it will be held on the 10–11th June.

It’s the world’s oldest endurance race and makes up one of the Triple Crown endurance racing events, shared with 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. The Le Mans track belongs to the Triple Crown due to its challenging layout which requires experienced driving and engineering to come out on top. Find out more about the race with our in-depth racing guide.

Whether you’re new to Le Mans or making a regular visit, we’ve hand-picked some of the best Le Mans corners and viewpoints to see the action and feel the excitement.

What are the best places to watch the action at Le Mans?

The modern Circuit de la Sarthe is just under 8.5 miles (13.6km) long which gives you plenty of opportunities to view the action. Whether you want to get a detailed look at the cars at slower corners or feel the air move as they fly past at 200 mph, there’s a place for you at Le Mans.

Start/finish straight

Experience Le Mans from the grandstand position and hear the roar of the crowd and engines at the event’s start or finish. There are multiple grandstands here, with some sheltered areas to keep the rain or sun at bay. While there will be some contest for a seat around the start/finish times, there’s plenty of seating and areas to watch from once the race is underway.

Dunlop Curve

This is the first curve of the Circuit de la Sarthe following the start/finish straight. Choosing the Dunlop Curve as a viewpoint means you’ll get to see the cars as they pass under the iconic Dunlop Bridge. There are grandstands here which offer fantastic opportunities for viewing and photography. Due to the popularity of the location, the grandstands may be frequently busy, but it’s well worth walking over the Dunlop Bridge to view from the grassed area alongside the track.

Tertre Rouge

Among the many Le Mans corners, the Tertre Rouge is one of the most exciting to see the drivers lift off the pedal briefly as they dart to the right before continuing down the Mulsanne Strait. Take the footpath from the outside of the track to reach the grassed area where you can get the best views of the Tertre Rouge. Expect lots of noise and no grandstand cover here, but the thrill of the passing cars more than makes up for this.

Mulsanne Straight

The Mulsanne Straight on the Le Mans circuit stretches from the Tertre Rouge down to the Mulsanne Corner. There are no official viewpoints along this stretch, though VIP pass holders may be able to get a glimpse of the action. However, due to the vast speed of the cars and the high safety fences, viewing here offers fleeting – but captivating – views of the race.

Mulsanne Corner

Following the Mulsanne Straight, the Le Mans circuit throws the drivers another curveball with the tight Mulsanne Corner. As one of the circuit’s trickiest corners, setting up at this viewpoint is recommended to witness the intense braking. It’s not possible to walk from the start/finish area to the furthest corner of the Circuit de la Sarthe, so take the shuttle bus or drive over and watch the excitement unfold. Be ready to catch some of the offs here!

Arnage and Indianapolis

Another fan favorite of the Le Mans track is the Arnarge and Indianapolis corners. The viewpoint along the outside edge of the two tight corners makes for excellent viewing as drivers navigate the 90-degree bends. Once again, you will need to take the shuttle bus or drive yourself to the area. Some viewers choose to spend most of their time here as there’s a large screen showing the rest of the race, as well as some tents for refreshments.

Porsche curves

Le Mans Porsche curves are an ideal spot to view the action as drivers delicately plan to overtake their competitors through sweeping – and fast – bends. Not only are there campgrounds situated on the inside and outside edges of the Circuit de la Sarthe, there’s also a wonderful panoramic view available on the outside of the track. Due to the fantastic visibility here, it can get a little busy. If you are camping, make sure you set up early to access the best views.

Maison Blanche

Before the final bends of the circuit, the viewing zone at Maison Blanche offers a good view of the racers as they make their approach to the Ford Chicane. This area can get cramped, and some views aren’t as open at this part of the circuit, but it’s a great spot for entertainment as the Ferris wheel and Funfair are located nearby.

Ford Chicane

As the racers finish their lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Ford Chicane presents one last challenge. On the outside edge of the track, viewers can shelter under a large grandstand which offers unparalleled views of the chicane. As with most grandstands, getting a seat might be an issue, so arrive as early as possible if you wish to bag one of the best seats in the house.

With the race lasting 24 hours, there’s ample time to plan a visit to several viewpoints if you desire. Fans young and old will not want to miss the atmosphere at the race start/finish straight, or the potential of seeing cars search for the perfect braking point at the Mulsanne corner in the dark, as fatigue begins to set in. So, pack some comfortable shoes and prepare to be wowed!