24h Le Mans
If you’re a real fan of the French endurance classic, why not spend a weekend in Le Mans? Enjoy some sightseeing, followed by a driving experience and a bit of shopping, or simply explore the city. Check out all our tips for an extra-special race-themed getaway!
The 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is run by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and is an extraordinary showcase of the Club’s automotive, sporting and industrial heritage. The vast exhibition space houses some of the iconic machines that have gone down in automotive and racing history. Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Ford, Porsche, Matra, Audi… the marques that have put their stamp on the 24 Hours of Le Mans all take pride of place. And you can follow up your museum visit with a tour of the circuit that hosts the world’s most famous endurance race. Take in some of the legendary spots such as the Dunlop Footbridge, created for the very first running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, along with the village where fans gather over race weekend, or the famous corners such as the Forest Esses. There are numerous car and motorcycle track days on the Bugatti Circuit so there’s always something going on. It’s definitely worth a visit!
And if you make the trip before 20 February 2022, you’ll also get the chance to see the temporary exhibition celebrating Toyota's history at Le Mans. It features some unique cars like the 1999 TS020 GT-One #3 and the TS050 Hybrid that won the race in 2020.
More information on the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.
The Karting des 24 Heures is the largest circuit complex of its kind in Europe. Why not head over to enjoy the thrills as you hone your skills at the wheel of kart? For beginners and more accomplished drivers alike, a few laps of the 24 Hours Karting Circuit is an exciting, adrenaline-fuelled experience!
The complex is a mere stone’s throw from the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans and comprises three circuits (Indy-Kart, Alain Prost and Circuit International de Karting) and four different tracks (Indy-Kart, Alain Prost A, Alain Prost B and Circuit International de Karting), all of which have been designed to deliver real fun and excitement.
Plan ahead and book your sessions online. Regular visitors can also benefit from the Pass Pilote, a virtual loyalty card. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive your lap times by email and can collect points on each visit to earn free sessions and a free simulator session on your birthday.
The Karting complex is also home to our racing simulators, which replicate the powerful racing experience to perfection. Select one of the world’s greatest circuits and line up on the grid! An array of 24 Hour of Le Mans drivers have tested and approved our simulators. “It’s an excellent way of preparing for a race. It feels very similar to the way my racing car drives, it’s amazing,” confirms Julien Canal, who has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 12 times so far.
Our suggestion? The “24H Experience”, which costs €24 for a 32-minute race. Again, you can book your sessions online and use the Pass Pilote to enjoy a free session on your birthday.
Porsche and the 24 Hours of Le Mans have teamed up to offer you an unforgettable experience. Get behind the wheel and enjoy all the sensations of driving a Porsche, in perfect safety. Follow the fun and informative modules and hit the Maison Blanche circuit, take a drive over a special low-grip section then test the hydraulic skid and obstacle simulator. Put your foot down, have fun and make the most of your experience at the wheel of one of the German marque’s gems!
Our recommendation? Get to grips with a Porsche Cayenne or Macan to test their ability in extreme conditions on the special off-road course.
For more information, see the Porsche Experience Center.
Get your own piece of the Le Mans legend with a souvenir from the official 24 Hours of Le Mans store. Every year, our merchandising teams put together a new range of official items designed especially for Le Mans fans. Whether you love race cars, motorcycles, trucks or classic cars, you’ll find something here to celebrate the human and sporting endeavours achieved at Le Mans and a very special souvenir to take home with you. The store offers an array of exclusive and unique items, along with its classic and original collections, all designed with an eye for detail and quality. Head to the store and check out the official collections or, if you can't make it in person, visit the online store at www.boutique.lemans.org
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a non-permanent racetrack that includes public roads open to the public the rest of the year, so anyone can drive along the legendary Mulsanne Straight! Likewise the section that stretches from Mulsanne Corner to the Porsche Curves. A drive along these roads is a must for any race fan visiting Le Mans – in full compliance with the highway code and the speed limits, of course!
And for full effect, why not take your trip along these parts of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit at sunset or night-time, so you can see the visibility (or lack thereof!) that the drivers have during these phases of the race?
There is plenty for tourists to see and do in the city of Le Mans, which was once the birthplace of a royal dynasty. It also has a very fine cathedral and a unique Roman wall. Or cast your net wider and take in some of the sights of the surrounding area, La Sarthe, including the Château du Lude, one of the rare Loire châteaux that is still inhabited, or the Bercé forest, considered as one of France’s top three forests with its centuries-old oaks.
Find out more: www.tourisme-en-sarthe.com
For close on 65 years, the Hôtel de France in La Chartre-sur-le-Loire was a coveted hideout for some of the greatest drivers to have graced the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was discovered by John Wyer, race director at Aston Martin in 1953. Over the years, the Aston Martin, Porsche, Ford, Ferrari, Triumph and TVR teams prepared their race cars in the hotel’s courtyard before driving them along the public roads to the circuit. Winners Derek Bell MBE, Jacky Ickx, Jochen Rindt, Bruce McLaren, Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti and many others all have stayed at the hotel and have regularly returned since. Some rooms are even named after them.
Find out more: www.lhoteldefrance.fr
When? All year round.
How long? Take your pick from our suggested activities but allow at least two days to really soak up the 24 Hours of Le Mans atmosphere.
Who with? There really is something for everyone so come with your friends, family or your special someone!
How to get here: By road (from Paris 2 hrs 10 min via the l’A11, from Nantes 1 hr 55 mins via the A11, from Rennes 2 hours via the A81, from Caen 1 hr 50 mins via the A88 and A28, from Tours 1 hour via the A28) or by rail (numerous high-speed links from Paris and the large towns in Western France (Nantes, Rennes) and links from Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Montpellier and so on).
Where to stay: Destination Circuit (the only travel agency approved by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest) offers a turn-key package including a room in a B&B, hotel, rental accommodation, villa or even a château!
