Le Mans 2026

[L3DFOOT]

I will be heading to Le Mans next year with my son. Some questions for the group -

- what tickets are included with the Ford Racing VIP package? Do you get tickets and a place to view the parade on Friday?
- anyone have insight on a place to stay near the circuit and Ford’s viewing area?
- others going and planning to meet up at some point?

We won’t be getting a car - plan to take the train from Paris to Le Mans and then taxi/Uber around once in Le Mans.

Thanks in advance for you feedback & assistance!

Rich

 

[FJPIKUL]

You have tickets for Wednesday thru Sunday. These will get you into the track and every place around it. You do not get tickets for the parade. You can pick up the bullet train at the DeGaulle airport. It is pretty quick and drops you off in downtown Lemans where you grab a cab to your domicile, BUT you must haver tickets for it you can buy on-line. The Ford building is right on the track and has excellent food and drink all day and most of the nights. If you want special tickets for the parade contact Project 100 at Project100.com. They also have side trips that are well worth it and can help with housing. As far as Uber or cab, there are usually 500,000 people there. Hard to catch something in the evenings. Either find someplace close to the tram line or share a rental car. There are a lot of B&Bs around.

 

[L3DFOOT]

You have tickets for Wednesday thru Sunday. These will get you into the track and every place around it. You do not get tickets for the parade. You can pick up the bullet train at the DeGaulle airport. It is pretty quick and drops you off in downtown Lemans where you grab a cab to your domicile, BUT you must haver tickets for it you can buy on-line. The Ford building is right on the track and has excellent food and drink all day and most of the nights. If you want special tickets for the parade contact Project 100 at Project100.com. They also have side trips that are well worth it and can help with housing. As far as Uber or cab, there are usually 500,000 people there. Hard to catch something in the evenings. Either find someplace close to the tram line or share a rental car. There are a lot of B&Bs around.

Thank you for the reply - appreciate it! I’ve reached out to Stuart at Project 100 and he has already replied.

 

[Specracer]

We have been 3 times, and I could not imagine doing it with out a car. Each time, parking was included in the Ford package. Im sure its probably doable with out one, but I enjoy the freedom to come and go, with out a schedule, or waiting.

 

[Lou-Q]

I will be heading to Le Mans next year with my son. Some questions for the group -

- what tickets are included with the Ford Racing VIP package? Do you get tickets and a place to view the parade on Friday?
- anyone have insight on a place to stay near the circuit and Ford’s viewing area?
- others going and planning to meet up at some point?

We won’t be getting a car - plan to take the train from Paris to Le Mans and then taxi/Uber around once in Le Mans.

Thanks in advance for you feedback & assistance!

Rich

My wife and I will be going also.
We'll have to meet up.
We are renting a car.
Lou

 

[SYCO GT]

Had the best of experiences with Stuart and Project 100 when I attended with a friend in 2019. At the time, their prices and services were excellent. Obviously costs will have risen significantly due to world events, but I would imagine the services are still very good, and worthwhile. Enjoy!

The driver's parade, helicopter ride over the active race, track tours and walks, pit visits, all worthwhile! Attached pics are from 2019 24 Heures du Mans!

 

[L3DFOOT]

Thanks for the feedback. I went with Stuart and Project 100 for lodging and parade tickets. They’ve been great to work with!

 

[UBoat Commander]

I went this year. You absolutely need a rental car. Spend a few days in Paris and then pick up a rental car and drive out. We went to Normandy from Paris and did a tour of the D-Day beaches and then drove to Le Mans. It was a fun road trip. Watch out for the speed cameras. They are everywhere. I got little a present in the mail about a month after I got home. Wayz will tell you where the cameras are located.

For accommodations, you can also check out Air BNB , VRBO and similar. But beware, accommodations are not nearly up to the standards that we're used to as Americans. The French countryside is third world with good marketing. We had a tiny house in Mulsanne with no AC and terrible bedding. But at least it was clean. And there was a bakery and little shop a couple blocks away. I don't know if Project 100 can do much better. Make sure you specify that you want AC. It is by far not the norm there. Closely scrutinize any housing options they give you. Don't be afraid to select a place in Mulsanne or Arnage. You don't need to be in Le Mans.

Driving is an adventure there. You must be constantly on guard. There are basically no rules and street signs and road markings are totally ignored.

Another thing to be aware of is that the Ford parking is far from the Ford building. The Ferrari parking next to the Ford parking had shuttles. But Ford did not. We actually sneaked onto the Ferrari shuttle one day by wearing Ferrari hats. LOL If anyone in your group has any mobility issues make sure you tell the Ford concierge in advance and they may be able to do something for you.

 

[Specracer]

As I mentioned above, we have been to France 5 times in the last 10 years, 3 times for the 24. We have driven well over 1000 miles there (Normandy, south coast all the way to Monaco etc etc etc). I had no issues driving there (I guess Boston driving got me used to anything). The one thing that takes getting used to, is the motorcycle "lane splitting". Just pay attention, and if you even try to give a little extra space, you will get waives of thanks. Yes on the Speed cameras, 1st time I think I got 3, last couple times, none.

Another "European" thing to be aware of when using an Airbnb, you might have a clothes washer, unlikely there will be a drier (you have to air dry). We have not checked luggage in years, so this is a helpful amenity.

As for mobility challenges, I would pass on this one if I had difficulties. Walking a LOT is the only way to get around to different vantage points, attractions etc. France is not exactly up to the ADA standards that the US has adopted. The place is HUGE (duh track is 8.5 miles). The Champions Club at the Rolex 24 would be a much better choice.

 

[Mule Air]

I went in 2024. Wasn't sure I could go until late so there wasn't anywhere to stay available in or around Le Mans. I stayed in Paris and took the train back and forth. Wasn't expensive and was super fast and convenient compared to driving. I saw over 150+mph on my phone. I had a short walk from the hotel to the train station - Gare Montparnasse. Once in Le Mans I took the short tram ride the track. Not much walking. Only negative I found was the train back to Paris leaves pretty soon after the race was over, so not a lot of time to celebrate. Hope this helps anyone who can't fine a place in Le Mans.

 

[FJPIKUL]

There were plenty of Ford shuttles to and from the parking lot. Ford gave us the phone number and we called when we needed it. As to Project 100, you cannot do better than they can. Stuart has excellent organization and resources from top to bottom.

 

[SYCO GT]

I stayed in Paris and took the train back and forth. Wasn't expensive and was super fast and convenient compared to driving. I saw over 150+mph on my phone. I had a short walk from the hotel to the train station - Gare Montparnasse. Once in Le Mans I took the short tram ride the track. Not much walking.

Never even thought about this as an option! Might have to try that in case I take my entire family in the future and not everyone wants to go to the races, then those that do, can take the train and tram. Plus, staying in Paris would be great. It is kind of fun to celebrate post race and see the awards ceremony, and then seeing people trying to grab anything that is not nailed down. I mean, I saw fans trying to pry the large ROLEX letters off the race walls.

 

[L3DFOOT]

I went this year. You absolutely need a rental car. Spend a few days in Paris and then pick up a rental car and drive out. We went to Normandy from Paris and did a tour of the D-Day beaches and then drove to Le Mans. It was a fun road trip. Watch out for the speed cameras. They are everywhere. I got little a present in the mail about a month after I got home. Wayz will tell you where the cameras are located.

For accommodations, you can also check out Air BNB , VRBO and similar. But beware, accommodations are not nearly up to the standards that we're used to as Americans. The French countryside is third world with good marketing. We had a tiny house in Mulsanne with no AC and terrible bedding. But at least it was clean. And there was a bakery and little shop a couple blocks away. I don't know if Project 100 can do much better. Make sure you specify that you want AC. It is by far not the norm there. Closely scrutinize any housing options they give you. Don't be afraid to select a place in Mulsanne or Arnage. You don't need to be in Le Mans.

Driving is an adventure there. You must be constantly on guard. There are basically no rules and street signs and road markings are totally ignored.

Another thing to be aware of is that the Ford parking is far from the Ford building. The Ferrari parking next to the Ford parking had shuttles. But Ford did not. We actually sneaked onto the Ferrari shuttle one day by wearing Ferrari hats. LOL If anyone in your group has any mobility issues make sure you tell the Ford concierge in advance and they may be able to do something for you.

Stuart was great with finding accommodations and used FaceTime to discuss all the options. He sent photos of the buildings, surroundings, rooms, and a map of where it was in comparison to the race course. It was hard to find a place with AC!

We went to the Olympics in 2024 and our AirBNB didn't have AC and it was a miserable couple weeks. Having done a lot of Paris sites in 2024, we'll stick arounnd LeMans and enjoy the five days we're there around cars.

 

[UBoat Commander]

There were plenty of Ford shuttles to and from the parking lot. Ford gave us the phone number and we called when we needed it. As to Project 100, you cannot do better than they can. Stuart has excellent organization and resources from top to bottom.

We eventually got a phone number too. The guy answered once. Once.

 

[FJPIKUL]

We dealt with just one lady all week.

 

[Mule Air]

Never even thought about this as an option! Might have to try that in case I take my entire family in the future and not everyone wants to go to the races, then those that do, can take the train and tram. Plus, staying in Paris would be great. It is kind of fun to celebrate post race and see the awards ceremony, and then seeing people trying to grab anything that is not nailed down. I mean, I saw fans trying to pry the large ROLEX letters off the race walls.

Yeah, it was actually much easier than I expected. There are a lot of very nice hotels near the train station in Paris. You could always rent a car the day the race finishes and leave whenever you wanted. Someone above mentioned "almost no rules for driving" but when it comes to speed I believe BtwoG said he got a ticket for going 4 km/h over the speed limit. Like I said, just another option if you cant find accommodations in Le Mans.