Club Arnage

Hi all,
I am going to LM with a group of people, 2 of whom are the girlfriends of people in the group. The girls will probably watch the start but that is where their interest in the race stops. We stay at Spay campsite (arrive Wed morn leave Mon) each year and they treat it as a camping holiday, but would like some ideas of what to do whilst us boys watch the race.

They are quite happy to go off for a drive as they both have Elises (and TomTom) and quite like the idea of exploring some Chateau's or old towns. South / West of LM would be best as that is where Spay is situated so they don't have to fight through the town.

Any ideas would be welcomed  :)

Hi,

They could try Chartre sur Loire, tell to go to the hotel in the square and photograph the inside for you.

Thanks, I will do a google search to see what and where it is  :)

Someone doesn't know their LM history.....

Le Mans itself is lovely (other than on the Friday afternoon!) and is worth half a day, there is a market (fab seafood) where the parade starts from and the back streets are incredibly old and nice to wander around. 

Don't rule out the North.  There's a very good by-pass which will take you East of the city and out the other side.  I'd heartily recommend the Manoir de Courboyer - the headquarters of the Perche National Park at Noce - nice walks, restaurant, house to look round, and a good shop stuffed with regional products (including stonking beer from "Le Brewery"!)

Thanks for the replies. I will pass on the suggestions.

so sorry if I don't know my LM history  ???

Did the Aston team not use that as their base camp in ye olde days?

Which is why jjkt15 suggested it, without mentioning the Aston link,  so it would be a nice surprise for the girls when they got there..........

Hey, skids, you listening to this?

Maybe we could take a drive out there on our way back from testing weekend.

Sounds like a plan Chris.

If they go to Chartre tell them to visit the cathedral to take a look at the stained glass windows. Absolutely amazing.

I know of a few hotels in town where it's worth a look at the stained carpets as well, especially near 'the station'.
H

I think you are thinking of Chartres, which is 60 miles east'ish towards Paris.

As opposed to La Chartre-sur-le-Loir  which is where the Hotel de France is, which is where AM were based during the David Brown years.

Girls usually like shopping and Tours is about an hour south - with a very good shopping area, so I am reliably informed.

Also try the Michelin guide for local attractions etc: http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag5/cov/htm/MaMagazineCoverTour.htm (http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag5/cov/htm/MaMagazineCoverTour.htm)

Oops, that's the one, my mistake

Hi guys and dolls,

I believe that Hotel de France at La Chartre-sur-le-Loir  was also used by Bentley and Jaguar in thier hayday.

Those were the days when the race car was allowed on the public highway.

Jaguar used to test thier cars on the long straight (bit bumpy now) on the main road to Chartre.

A few years ago we assisted Derek Bell getting his Mulsanne Turbo out of a very tight space, I could have helped the (very beautiful) young lady under his 'wing' with several hours (I wish) to a relaxing time!!!!!!!!!!!

Jerry

PS, at my age, thinking about it, it now takes me allnight to do what I used to do allnight night.  BTW, I'm 56 today :-(

Many happy returns, youngster

Del

EDIT:  BTW, check your PM's