Experience the magic of Le Mans

WHILE NOTHING COMPARES with the thrill of visiting Le Mans during the famous 24hour race, the circuit, town and local area are well worth exploring at any time of the year.

This October Classic Grand Touring, a tour company with which Octane has joined forces in the past, is organising a five-day jaunt to the region which it’s advertising as the ‘Le Mans and L’Hotel de France Experience’: the Le Mans part is self-explanatory, but if you’re unfamiliar with the significance of the Hotel de France, it’s the luxurious establishment in La Chartre-surle Loir in which many of the race teams stayed during the more relaxed era of Le Mans.

The adventure starts on the Monday evening with an overnight Brittany Ferries sailing from Porstmouth to St Malo, complete with a private dinner for all participants and a luxury cabin. Arriving in France on the Tuesday morning, it’s straight off to Le Manoir l’Automobile at Loheac for an exclusive session on a private race track and a tour of a 400-car private car museum.

Tuesday night is spent enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Hotel de France with its wealth of Le Mans-related automobilia, while the following day revolves around the sights and flavours of the local region.

Thursday sees particpants retrace the route the teams took to the Le Mans circuit: there’s the chance to drive on the permanent track, pose for photos under the iconic Dunlop Bridge, tour the public road sections of the 24 Hours loop, and absorb the history displayed in the Le Mans 24 Hours Museum. There will also be the opportunity to visit Le Mans’ old town, well worth doing. Following a gala dinner on Thursday night, it’s home again on Friday. For full details visit classicgt.co.uk.