2025 French MotoGP

[longdog]

I want to go to the French MotoGP round this year, my (rough) plan is down to Northern Spain, a few days in the Picos then back up to Le Mans for the race weekend.

The issue is affordable accommodation nearish to Le Mans. Of course, hotel prices are literally through the roof, so I am thinking of staying in Saumur or Angers and riding in for Saturday and Sunday. What do you suggests? I would rather stay in a hotel but not a Formula 1 chain hotel! Preferably a hotel with a restaurant and bar or with a decent restaurant and bar within walking distance.

The other question is should I pre-book my tickets or can you pay at the gate each day?

Comments and advice are welcomed!

 

[daviedevs]

Just going from experience of attending race meets over the years I would definitely sort your tickets well in advance. I would also book your accomodation sooner rather than later, no matter where you are staying.

 

[Wapping]

For the Le Mans 24-hour car race (which commands a far bigger audience than the moto gp) we have stayed in Saumur and driven / ridden in on race day, without a problem.

Also, have a look at towns like Le Lude, La Flèche and Écommoy. In fact, look at all the towns that circle Le Mans and / or at hiring a gite or Air B&B. You’ll find something to suit you, without a doubt.

As to tickets? Why not buy them in advance via the official ACO ticket shop, which will save faffing about at the circuit?

PS Hotel prices are higher in France, since the pandemic.

 

[EPG_19]

PS prices of everything are higher in France and the uk, using the pandemic as an excuse.

There you go

 

[longdog]

I have noticed that hotels in my price range in Le Mans the week before are between £180 and £360 for 3 nights, for the race weekend they want over £2000 hence the reason I am looking further afield and riding in each day. By the way, don’t suggest a tent, I only do camping in my campervan

Yeah, I know prices in France have risen sharply since Covid, my daughter lives near Souillac and works in Brive and France is no longer inexpensive compared to UK

 

[glenn2926]

I have noticed that hotels in my price range in Le Mans the week before are between £180 and £360 for 3 nights, for the race weekend they want over £2000 hence the reason I am looking further afield and riding in each day. By the way, don’t suggest a tent, I only do camping in my campervan

Yeah, I know prices in France have risen sharply since Covid, my daughter lives near Souillac and works in Brive and France is no longer inexpensive compared to UK

Why not go in your camper van? There are a few Aires in and around Le Mans. There are also a few campsites but you would have to mix with some caravaners there.
There’s an Aire on the river at d Arnage very close to the circuit.

 

[drdaveboy]

I stayed at hotel oasis about 15 mile from le mans cracking hotel with on site restaurant and bar , if I went again I'd stay there again

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[Davey B]

I use the booking website....put dates and area in, then click on the map and move around looking at where has space (you can click the box to only show available properties and also price per night which cuts out the expensive/cheap ones)
You end up with something like this....and when you zoom in to any area, there are inevitably loads more available properties.

 

[drdaveboy]

Hotel oasis

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[longdog]

Why not go in your camper van? There are a few Aires in and around Le Mans. There are also a few campsites but you would have to mix with some caravaners there.
There’s an Aire on the river at d Arnage very close to the circuit.

Yes, I had thought of that, but it kind of defeats the object of touring on my motorcycle. There are lots of pro’s for taking my campervan but I like touring by bike.

 

[glenn2926]

Yes, I had thought of that, but it kind of defeats the object of touring on my motorcycle. There are lots of pro’s for taking my campervan but I like touring by bike.

Aye, I understand that. I tour on my bike, in my motorhome and sometimes in my pickup. The pickup was used to visit my lad and his family in January.

 

[Zoton]

I stayed in old Le Mans, about 15 min from the circuit. Air B and B
Pre book is a yes for tickets.
Its busy, you won't get a ticket except for general admission this time of year- and when you get to the circuit get there very bloody early , find your spot and stay there, cuz if you move there's 10 behind that's gunna jump right in.
Bike parking is very good if it's dry, 10 min walk from the gate, if it's pissing down you'll be in the mud or at best a long way out on the roadside or bike specific parking away from the track.
They do have shuttle busses .
All in been twice and great experience . But we had to do it in the car as I take my grown up kids with me. Next year it's the bike.
Food is ok and bogs are clean (surprisingly)
Highly recommend.

 

[Ectopic]

Hotel oasis

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We've stayed here. Very nice!

 

[Ectopic]

We have stayed at Oasis, Villaines-la-Juhel, but not for the MotoGP.

For the MotoGP, we stayed at the Logis Grand Hotel in Mayenne which was good, with a fantastic restaurant.

Also used Le Gasseau, Saint-Leonard-du-Bois a couple of times. That was quirky but fun, though it seems to have changed hands and gone up market a bit now.

Both the above about an hour away from the circuit (bit more on race day with the traffic). Riding home on race day, go through some villages and wave to the locals!

We went to the GP once with general admission tickets. Absolutely heaving on race day, crammed in like sardines on the start-finish straight. I'd definitely recommend getting grandstand tickets in advance. We like view from the S Bleus stand, see across to the final corners, and good big screen viewing. It also has the advantage of being able to park near Maison Blanche and avoid the absolute carnage of getting out of the main bike park at the end of the day. It is NOT a covered stand, though, so we've got soaked to the skin and burnt to a crisp in consecutive years.

 

[drdaveboy]

When I went i got ducati stand tickets on the first chicane after the start straight but luckily came with ducati parking at the circuit , mine was the only ktm in there mind

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[Ectopic]

@longdog - out of interest, have you sorted accommodation?

 

[longdog]

@longdog - out of interest, have you sorted accommodation?

Yes, I have booked a hotel about 30 mins away in la Flèche, can’t think of the name right now but it has a bar and restaurant and several others within walking distance. I was going to book the Oasis but stuff happened and I left it too late.