Getting To the Le Mans 24 Hour Race
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'.
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)
