Le Mans Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France)



Picture of the 24 Heures du Mans car raceA city with plenty to offer, life in Le Mans is generally relaxed for much of the year. However, come June, everything in the whole region seems somehow related to the 24-hour Le Mans car race and its many thousands of spectators. Literally thousands of people descend upon the city at this time of year, influencing the availability and price of accommodation, and providing a welcomed boot to local trade.

If you are lucky enough to arrive in Le Mans for the car race, you are able to purchase tickets which allow you to access specified spectator stretches next to the track. If possible, try to find an area where there is a sharp corner, as this provides an added element of interest when watching the race and the participating endurance drivers. Further travel tips about life in Le Mans are below.


Further view of the 24 Heures du Mans car race at Mulsanne Corner

Tourism and Tourist Information

The local Le Mans Tourist Office is easy to find, being situated close to central Place de la République.

From here, head along the Rue Bolton in an easterly direction until you reach the Rue de l'Étoile, where the office is located.


Le Mans Tourist Information Centre
Address: Rue de l'Etoile, Le Mans, 72000, France, FR
Tel: +33 0243 28 17 22
Fax: +33 0243 28 12 14
Email: officedetourisme@ville-lemans.fr
Website: www.ville-lemans.fr / www.lemanstourisme.com
Open hours: January to June, September to December, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 12:00; July and August, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00

Photo of city stadium

Language and Dialect

French is the native tongue in Le Mans and throughout the country. Many locals only have the slightest grasp of the English language and a few French phrases go a long way. If driving to Le Mans, consider playing a basic 'learn French' in the car, which will not only teach you some useful phrases, but really get you in the mood for your holiday in France.

Watching the Race

The Le Mans racetrack can be notoriously hard to find, being badly signposted, with high levels of traffic around the city at this time of the year. Therefore, be prepared to ask for directions - in French, or bring a good map of the area. Car parks close to the racetrack can become rather crowded when the race is starting, so be sure to arrive in plenty of time. Refreshments at the Le Mans racetrack are always pricey, so if you are not prepared to pay the high prices, consider bringing your own snacks and drinks.

Currency

The Euro replaced the French Franc in 2002, being a single currency throughout many other countries within the Eurozone. A fixed exchange rate of 6.55957 was used to convert French Francs into Euros.