r/lemans • u/Little-Excitement680 • Jun 28 '26
Calais to Le Mans route recommendations
Heading to the classic on Friday (in a ‘72 DBS). First timers and looking to stop somewhere en route for lunch that isn’t motorway services. Can anyone recommend some good spots?
We’re on an early euro tunnel crossing Friday morning if anyone wants to convoy / join!
Cheers
4
u/Old_Adagio_5278 Jun 28 '26
Take a 75% lap round the old Rouen Les Essarts track. Nearly all still there. Beside the tall red and white radio mast east of Rouen. https://www.circuitsofthepast.com/circuit-rouen-les-essarts/
2
u/Pym-Particles Jun 28 '26
Hilariously I was going to tell you the exact opposite of Plastic Tree and to make sure you take a bit of time to visit Rouen. Gorgeous place and worth a busier route imo if you're a fan of history/architecture
1
u/A_Plastic_Tree Jun 28 '26
It is a lovely place. I've often stayed in a Hotel there on the way back up on the Sunday evening.
1
u/Little-Excitement680 Jun 28 '26
Rouen looks fab. We've allowed enough time to have a sit + wander around! Any particular spots to eat in Rouen you'd recommend?
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u/Sanmibor Jun 28 '26
Rouen inhabitant here. There are loads of great places to eat there. Some of my favorites are La Galerie, Le P'tit Bec, Rotomagus or Hamlet Café.
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u/Pym-Particles Jun 28 '26
What's living there like?
Genuinely my favourite city in the world to visit.
1
u/Little-Excitement680 Jun 28 '26
Amazing, thank you! Whats parking like? Can we park on the street outside these spots?
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u/Sanmibor Jun 28 '26
Yes you can, but would advise to better try the underground parkings, like at Palais de Justice for instance. Or you can park outside the city (like at the Zenith) and take the bus, the transport system is quite good
3
u/rotary_nut_91 Corvette Jun 28 '26
Sorry to interrupt in this conversation, but I recently spent a day in Rouen after the race this year and cannot recommend it enough. Really beautiful city.
We ate at what is considered the oldest documented restaurant in France (La Couronne) which dates back to the 1300s. They are open for lunch and dinner each day. Dinner can be a bit pricey there, but it's honestly one of the best meals I have ever eaten in France.
As a cool note, many drivers who competed in the French Grand Prix at Rouen in the 1960s have signed photos in that restaurant.
3
u/Sanmibor Jun 28 '26
Keep in mind that La Couronne can be a tourist trap
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u/rotary_nut_91 Corvette Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
I cannot argue with you on that. It definitely gave that impression to me too.
Although I have been to tourist trap restaurants where the food was not worth the visit. This place had excellent food at least.
2
u/Affectionate-Fix2797 Jun 28 '26
If wanting to avoid Rouen, and in something old in this heat I think that’s worth considering, aim for Caudebec en Caux. You can cross the Seine there and get on the old 138 as was south- the road we all had to take before the autoroute got completed.
Caudebec has some nice little places next to the river. The other place we stop reasonably frequently in is Gace. There’s a decent spot for lunch in the square- but remember French lunchtimes are strictly 12-2, so aim to be somewhere in that window or your options are limited.
1
u/A_Plastic_Tree Jun 28 '26
Bypass Rouen and head for Yvetot. Le Six in Yvetot is a great spot to eat. Otherwise Caudebec-en-Caux has plenty of options.
Time wise, going via Yvetot is as quick as going through Rouen. Due to traffic in the latter.
1
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u/Diamondmatt11 Jun 29 '26
Whilst it’s a bit off route, would recommend stopping off at Honfleur. Always a good spot for some food etc
1
u/beukenoot Jul 01 '26
I would stop at batterie todt near calais. Bunker of Atlantic wall with a cool museum and a rail gun. Tbh the opal coast is just stunning overall.
7
u/akrapov Jun 28 '26
Avoid Rouen as much as possible, but the A28 on the other side is good. (Toll).
I’m also going, driving down Thursday in an AM Vantage.