What is the unique attraction of the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

[Grand_Fromage]

Simple question really.

Can you say in a few words, what the special attraction of Le Mans really is?
Why do you keep coming back?

I got the Le Mans bug three decades ago and there is still this magnetic attraction to the middle of France in June each year   

[Lawnmower Man]

I'm not sure there is a simple answer.    I think you have to go to Le Mans to understand why we do it.

It's more than the Cars, the People, the Atmosphere and the Race.

A can tell you it's not the weather. 

t.

[Grand_Fromage]

You mean, alternately burned to a crisp one day and flooded-out the next?

A can tell you it's not the weather. 
t.

[jimclark]

'Not been to Le Mans, but have been to at least 30 of the last 40 Sebrings and Daytona 24s.

As requested, in a few words, it is the endurance race that entices me. I've a passion for racing, endurance in particular (did one 24 at Daytona many moons ago, we broke) and it's not the people or atmosphere...it is the endurance contest that draws me.  

[gatordad]

All that sound exactly why we go to Sebring in the middle of March.  Having been to France and Le Sarthe my sincere hope is that each of you on this site get the chance to travel to the middle of Florida in March for Sebring.  I have been going since I was 10 years old in 1958 and have seen cars that are now priceless antiques when they were in their glory.

Warm sun, very heavy rain, cold, hot, orange blossoms, and some of the most famous drivers in the world make up the lay of the land...the same reasons you all go to LM...plus some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

[Steve Pyro]

I reckon it is a similar craving to those who partake of the baccy.  You try to give up / miss a year, but the strange force keeps drawing you back.
Maybe, somewhere, there is a self-help group - Le Mans Anonymous?

[Perdu]

If there's a self help group, keep me out of it  

It's indefinable, it's the race, it's the country, it's definitely the people.

It's what it is, Le Mans - there is probaly a good quote in a certain film we could use.

Whatever, it is the only"thing" that affects me this way even with a very wide range of other interests.

b

[Bob U]

Hate the godforsaken place

[Andy]

What Steve said........... I am a compulsive addict 

[Jem]

Think this is my 28th trip down.

Simple answer...its good fun and a chance to meet old friends and meet new ones.

Got my two sons into it now so the legacy will continue!

Jem

[Lord Steve]

My 19th this year.

Put simply....everything else is just waiting.

Does that kinda sum it up?

[pedersenkorsager]

I dont know.
Hav to go Down again to find out.

[Bonio]

The museum, every year i say to the missus that i have to go down again as i have never visited the museum. I like the french cider too and playing with the spud cannon. 

[garyfrogeye]

Fun, people, atmosphere, Le Mans related traditions and the drive there and back.

[Andrea]

It's difficult to describe... the Le Mans week itself IS the unique attraction!  It's the atmosphere... The cars, the people, the sound, the view... even the weather... I think, all these are the reason for that unique and special atmosphere at Le Mans...  imagine a few hundred thousand people at the same racetrack - all there for the same reason: because they love motorsport, because they love Le Mans... Watching Le Mans is not enough... you must FEEL it...  going there only once in your life won't be enough... it's like a drug... it fills your senses and makes you addicted... There's such an unbelievable amount of passion and joy at the circuit that you can almost touch it. Even though you sleep only a few hours during the entire race week, the positive energies of the event recharge your batteries for a whole year! 

I went in 2009 for the first time and I want to return to Le Mans since then... I wanted to go last year, but it didn't work out... I wanted to go this year but I didn't manage to save enough money  Last year was OK but this year... it really hurts...  But I will never give up! I know I will return to Le Mans - and not only once.