Getting To Le Mans
In Brief
from PARIS A11: exit LE MANS EST
from NANTES/ANGERS A11: exit LE MANS SUD
from RENNES/LAVAL A81: exit LE MANS OUEST or exit LE MANS SUD
- from ALENCON: take west bypass in direction of ANGERS
from TOURS: arrival in Mulsanne, follow signposting
- Passenger information tel: 08448 484 065
Reservations: tel: 08448 484 064
Use Map24 to plan your route
From the U.K. by Car/Bike
From Calais (around 260 miles and takes around 5 hours)
Leave Calais and follow signs to Boulogne and then to Abbeville. (The autoroute is a toll road). Then follow the autoroute to Rouen (signposted Rouen - not a toll road). At Rouen remember to stay in the right hand lane when you leave the tunnel. Cross the river and take the slip road that turns back underneath. Follow this road around the east side of Rouen following signs for Le Mans. After joining Paris/Cherbourg autoroute take 2nd exit (Signposted Le Mans). This is where the autoroute ends. Turn left at the petrol station onto the RN138 to Le Mans. Bypass Alencon and keep heading south towards Le Mans. Head south through Le Mans following signs for the 'Rocade' (ring road) and then the 'Circuit de 24 Heurs'.
From Le Havre (around 130 miles and takes around 3 hours)
Leave Le Havre on the A131 and then the A29. Follow signs to Lisieux and cross the bridge. Follow the D579 towards Vimouiers and then the D979 to Gace. Turn onto the N138 towards Alencon and on to Le Mans. Head south through Le Mans following signs for the 'Rocade' (ring road) and then the 'Circuit de 24 Heurs'.
From Caen (around 100 miles and takes around 2 hours)
Leave Caen and follow the N158 and then turn onto the N138 towards Alencon and on to Le Mans. Head south through Le Mans following signs for the 'Rocade' (ring road) and then the 'Circuit de 24 Heurs'.
From Dieppe (around 160 miles and takes around 3.5 hours)
Leave Dieppe and follow the N27 towards Rouen. From Rouen join the N138 towards Alencon and on to Le Mans. Head south through Le Mans following signs for the 'Rocade' (ring road) and then the 'Circuit de 24 Heurs'.
From Cherbourg (around 170 miles and takes around 4 hours)
Take the N13 to Caen, then the N814 ring road around the town. Exit onto the N 158 to Falaise, then the N 138 via Alencon to Le Mans.
From Paris (around 130 miles and takes around 2.5 hours)
Leave Paris via the ring road at the Porte d'Orleans and join the A6. Follow the A6 towards Bordeaux and then Nantes. Look for an exit onto the N20 and take that towards Chartres and Orleans.Turn onto the A11 and follow the signs for Le Mans. Head south through Le Mans following signs for the 'Rocade' (ring road) and then the 'Circuit de 24 Heurs'.
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Things to Remember
If you are driving in France you will need headlamp convertors, first aid kit, a warning triangle, spare bulbs and a nationality sticker.
You need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - 0845 606 2030 or click here
You should also obtain an International insurance certificate (green card).
You are not allowed children under 10 in front seats.
Speed Limits are 81mph (130kph) on the Motorways and 31mph (50kph) in town.
You must be over 18 to drive in France.
Don't drink and drive - The French have a low alcohol limit and the penalty can be jail !
Don't drive on the left !
By Train
From Waterloo (Eurostar)
From Waterloo station in London, take the train and leave your car behind. Change at Lille for an SNCF train to Le Mans. There are three Le Mans trains a day (two hours to Lille, one hour 45 minutes to Le Mans). Alternatively, change at Paris Gare du Nord. You can then get one of the hourly TGV trains from Paris - Gare Montparnasse direct to Le Mans (three hours to Paris, 55 minutes to Le Mans).
From Folkestone (Le Shuttle)
Drive down the M20 directly to the shuttle terminal at Folkestone. You and your car will be taken under the Channel to Calais in 40 minutes. From Calais follow the road directions listed above.
From Paris
Travel from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare du Montparnasse (other side of the city, a taxi is favourite) and from here on to Le Mans (hourly service, take 55 minutes)
By Air
From Heathrow or Birmingham
There are around 40 flights daily from Heathrow and Birmingham to Paris. Flight time is one hour.
In addition several tour operators offer direct flights to the track.
Useful Numbers
Ferries| P&O Portsmouth - Le Havre | 08716 645 645 |
| Brittany Dover - Calais | 0871 244 0744 |
| Brittany Portsmouth - Caen | 0871 244 0744 |
| SeaFrance | 0871 423 7119 |
Car Hire
| Hertz | 08708 415 161 |
| Avis | 08445 810 147 |
| Europcar | 08713 849 847 |
| National Car Rental | 0871 3841 140 |
Tour Operators
| Airtrack | 0870 752 0924 |
| Motor Racing International | 01304 612424 |
| Page & Moy | 0800 567 7400 |