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On the way back to catch our ferry on the recent Pyrenees run Champs, Ses, Thumper and I decided to check out the famous 24 hour race circuit, LaSarthe at Le Mans.
We got there the weekend after the big race, so the place was quiet and we couldn’t see too much of the circuit itself. Our main target was in fact the museum sited adjaccent to the main entrance
Our bikes outside the historic venueAs you might imagine the focus is on the 24 hour race, the people and the cars associated with it. But the collection also takes you through French automotive development and there are many types of normal cars on display too, spanning from the very dawn of motoring to more recent landmarks like the sublime Citroen SM. The entrance fee is only €7 and well worth it for what is on offer.
This odd creation was used to showcase all the wares of French automotive supplier (now called Valeo), as it was parked around the circuit during racing in the late 1960’s
The Citroen DS, a really advanced car at the time of its’launch during the 1950’s, displayed in an unusual and striking manner in the same hall as the SM and the pert little rotary engined coupe produced in tiny numbers around 1970
Not just thundering Porsche, Bently and Jaguars have raced there, many smaller cars have raced over the years too, like the pretty little Alpine
But this Ford GT40 is perhaps the definitive Le Man racer of the late 1960’s, thundering to victory on four straight occasions from 1966 to rub the nose of Enzo Ferrari who snubbed take over advances from the huge American company
Matra and Simca, once proud French marques now consigned to the history books
The Jaguar XJR9 which in 1988 gave the British manufacturer it’s first win since the the late 1950’s
Porsche have claimed many famous wins here
As have Bentley from the 1920’s to more recent times
Hybrid technology is creeping in now too as this victorious Audi demonstratesBut as I alluded to earlier the museum does examine other areas of French motoring life and development, there is a half track Citroen, a 2CV expidtion car, even some agriculultural equipment!
I wonder what this would top out at on the Mulsanne straight?!
Steam power!! the French equivalent to fred Dibnah would love this!
The lads seemed to enjoy it!Overall and very interesting and surprisingly divers collection. Go if you get a chance
My pictures inside were not great to be honest and some of the others may have some better shots
Official wbsite:
https://www.lemusee24h.com/Ses doesn’t look too happy in the last picture. Good job we got him an ice cream before we had a diva moment!
was he turning into Joan Collins? Not sure if he was in pole position for the award of the blue sparkly top that day!
Oh yeah I forgot about that! For the next away trip whoever was being a diva would have to wear a blue sparkly top.
Oh yeah I forgot about that! For the next away trip whoever was being a diva would have to wear a blue sparkly top.
do it! Oh yeah I forgot about that! For the next away trip whoever was being a diva would have to wear a blue sparkly top.
do it! I think we probably will!
Steam power!! the French equivalent to fred Dibnah would love this!
Fred Dibn-oh-la-lah?
I love the DS and that Alpine is a real beauty.
Definitely if I was going past that way. I set out to do it one year and took the bike over to Brittany on the ferry. Camped a bit there and headed down towards Le Mans. On the way, we had a change of heart and decided to go visit Germany. We ended up at the Mercedes and Porsche museums, both in Stuttgart. Merc museum was simply stunning, Porsche museum was closed for the week! Should have phoned to check really :
Definitely if I was going past that way. I set out to do it one year and took the bike over to Brittany on the ferry. Camped a bit there and headed down towards Le Mans. On the way, we had a change of heart and decided to go visit Germany. We ended up at the Mercedes and Porsche museums, both in Stuttgart. Merc museum was simply stunning, Porsche museum was closed for the week! Should have phoned to check really :
Germany is quite a diversion! I have never ridden or driven there. Only over a passenger in hire cars or taxis
was he turning into Joan Collins? 
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