Whilst the majority takes a car to Le Mans it’s possible to do the weekend using a combination of planes, trains and buses. French public transport can be punctual and good value.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the nearest major international airport to Le Mans, it’s about 20 miles north of Paris. It has 3 terminals and a railway station served by the French high speed train TGV, more details further below. The other Paris airport is Orly, whilst it is located closer to Le Mans it does not have a direct TGV link. There is a direct coach link between the airports at a cost of about 16 euros. Alternatively Orly also has a train station for access to Paris city centre.

Nantes Airport (NTE) is also a possibility if you can fly www.ryanair.com. From Nantes a hire car or train (TGV) is possible. This is only 121 miles by road.

Le Mans Airport: If money is not a problem, there is one other way to Le Mans, shortest journey time of all and just a walk over the street to the circuit. You’d need to hire a private plane as there aren’t (currently) any scheduled flights. A quick search found the following http://www.mayfairdove.co.uk/ not to Le Mans but to Paris for £1500 day return, so Le Mans for £5-6000 looks possible.

By train from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: Train tickets should be booked in advance (up to 3 months in advance), this can be done online at www.tgv-europe.com/en/. Another option is to use raileurope at www.raileurope.co.uk. The airport station is AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV, the station at Le Mans is called LE MANS GARE. Tickets can be delivered to your home, printed at home or collected at the stations on the day of departure.

The SNCF French Railways station at Paris-Charles-de Gaulle is located in Terminal 2:

• Level 1 : Platforms for TGV, Thalys, Mainline and RER B regional express trains
• Level 2 : SNCF French Railways station, Relay (books, magazines & tobacco etc); booking office & info;bar with food; toilets
• Level 3 : Hotel Sheraton Business Center
• Level 4 : Moving walkways for accessing Terminals 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F
• Level 5 : Departure level for Taxis and Hotel shuttles

In your arrivals terminal, take a look at the times of TGV, Thalys, Mainline and RER B regional express trains shown on the information screens. These screens are located opposite the exits from the baggage claim areas in Terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E and F). Moving from one Terminal to the next is easy (see travelling to Gare du Nord below).

You also need to validate your ticket (not print at home tickets) with a punch machine (“Composter”) located at the escalators above the platform. Locate the approximate place to stand by checking the monitors on the platform against your seat number.

There does not appear to be a limit to the amount of baggage you can take on board the TGV, but bear in mind that these trains start at Lille & terminate past Le Mans so baggage space will be at a premium.

If you miss your booked TGV, don't panic, you can exchange your ticket for one on the following TGV. The exchange will cost the difference between the price of the original ticket & the price of the ticket on the day plus a handling fee (approx 30 EURO). Also, don't worry, they do speak English.

Train schedule from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Le Mans (Subject to change, please check at www.sncf.fr for the latest schedule)

To reach the SNCF French Railway station (Gare du Nord) in Paris city centre via the TGV terminal at CDG:

• From Terminal 1 : Take the Aéroports de Paris subway CDGVAL. Stop at “Terminal 2 Gare” and follow the signs for “Paris par train” (Paris by train) or stop at “Terminal 3 / Roissypôle” to use RERB to Paris.
• From Terminal 2 : Follow the signs for “Paris par train” (Paris by train) using the moving walkway. An easy 10 minute walk from Terminal 2A/Terminal 2B.
• From Terminal 3 : Take the footpath (about a 250 meter walk) and follow the signs for “Paris par train” (Paris by train). Use RERB to Paris or use the Aéroports de Paris subway CDGVAL and stop at “Terminal 2 Gare”.

Trains to “Gare du Nord” depart every 10 to 15 minutes between 0500 & 0000, travel time is approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Current fares are 8.50 EUR.

From Le Mans railway station to the racetrack: Please see the chapter “Transport in Le Mans” in this guide

From the UK to Le Mans by train: From the UK it’s possible to get the Eurostar to Paris , then a TGV to Le Mans. However it means changing stations. www.eurostar.co.uk will provide the itinerary and prices. This is probably the quickest route from central London. It is actually possible to change in either Lille or Paris.The Eurostar website did not give up the route details easily so make sure you get the right connection. The Lille station is LILLE EUROPE not just Lille if you enter it into the SNCF website. So it should only be a platform change. The change in Paris requires a station change so either using the Metro, RTE (suburban service), or taking the time above ground and sightseeing. You would arrive at “Gare du Nord” and need to get to “Gare Montparnasse” allowing an hour by Metro.

Over the next few pages, route directions from all of the channel ports are listed, they use the most direct and quickest roads. Terminating at the Centre des expositions, where tickets are collected, and it is also close to the circuit main entrance. The following table gives an overview of distances and toll costs (according to viamichelin.com) from the ferry ports to the circuit and approximate journey times.

From the northern ferry ports the route is either via Rouen or by-passes it. The whole route (except the bit through Rouen!) is autoroute since the latest section of the A28 was opened. Going via Paris is an option; although, it is not for the faint hearted, you really need an encyclopaedic knowledge of the road system or a very good sat-nav. Also the Paris Peripherique is similar to the M25 and at times is a slow moving car park. If going straight to a “camp-site” which in ACO terminology is known as an “Aire d’Accueil” or if just “parking the car” which in ACO terminology is “Parking” look out for the appropriate coloured route sign as you near the circuit. Your ticket will clearly show the route to be followed. For example, Camping at Beausejour, you will need to follow “Itineraire Jaune” or “Parking Jaune”, this is more relevant when the circuit is “live” and the one way system is in operation. There are a number of useful maps which show the one-way system, either look here or use the official programme.

Its also easy to pick up a car and drive to the circuit. No full details here as the routes offered by www.theaa.com or www.rac.com give accurate directions and will be updated. The distance to Arnage is 151 miles. If you arrive at Orly then you have an advantage of being at least 20 minutes closer and with less traffic to contend with, from there it’s about 127 miles to Arnage. A few points on driving to the circuit:

• Don’t miss the turns as it is difficult to re join the motorway, especially don’t miss one of the first turns and end up heading into Paris - a very bad move.
• Depending on the time of day the routes around Paris can be very busy and come to a standstill allow extra time for your journey.
• If there happened to be a public transport strike (as in 2003) the roads will be solid.
• Fill up the car with fuel before dropping it off as the hire companies normally expect a full tank or they may charge far more to fill it themselves. There is at least one station at CDG airport.

• Number plate recognition software is now being used so the automatic kiosks do not require you to use your plastic unless you have not given them the correct registration number.
• The customs at Calais are now outside the shopping area so you complete all the formalities before getting the chance to shop and/or buy food.