What to do at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: where to sleep near the circuit
Every June, the Sarthe circuit hosts one of the most legendary endurance races in the world. If you are looking for authentic accommodation 35 minutes from the Le Mans circuit, far from crowded campsites and overpriced hotels, La Sellerie de la Goupillère is your refuge in the Perche Sarthois. (Reading: 4 min)
Every year, in June, the Sarthe circuit transforms into the world epicenter of motor racing. The 24 Hours of Le Mans attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world, and finding quality accommodation near the circuit can quickly become a headache.
Saturated hotels, crowded campsites, prices multiplied by five: the week of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most tense times of the year for accommodation in Sarthe. This is where a characterful gîte like La Sellerie de la Goupillère comes into its own, calm, spacious, and only 35 minutes from the circuit via the A11 motorway.
Authentic accommodation 35 minutes from the Le Mans circuit
Located in the town of Tuffé Val de la Chéronne, away from the hustle and bustle of Le Mans, the Domaine de la Goupillère offers a lordly living environment in the heart of Perche Sarthois. La Sellerie, a gîte set up in the historic outbuildings of the château, accommodates up to 4 people in an extraordinary natural and heritage environment.
Access to the 24 Hours circuit is simple: join Le Mans via the RN 138 or the A11 motorway, and you are at the circuit in less than 40 minutes. In the evening, you go back to sleep far from the noise of the engines and the crowds, in the absolute silence of the Huisne valley, a rare luxury during the week of the race.
Complete program for the 24 Hours week 2027
The program for the 24 Hours of Le Mans extends over an entire week. The first free practice sessions take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The night qualifying practices, the famous Nuits Blanches, are held on Thursday evening. The race itself starts on Saturday at 4 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 4 p.m. From La Goupillère, you can choose the sessions that suit you and return to rest between two sessions.
Practical advice: the Nuits Blanches on Thursday are often more accessible than the race itself in terms of tickets and attendance, and offer an absolutely unique sound and visual spectacle. From La Goupillère, you can attend and sleep comfortably at night.
How to get to the circuit from La Goupillère
From Tuffé Val de la Chéronne, reach Le Mans in 35 minutes via the RN 138 towards Le Mans. Parking around the circuit is organized into paid zones during the race week. We recommend arriving early in the morning for Wednesday and Saturday, the busiest days. Shuttles are also available from the center of Le Mans.
A popular alternative: park your car in a residential area of Le Mans and join the circuit by shuttle or by bike via the cycle paths set up for the event. This way you avoid traffic jams on the way back, which are particularly intense on Sunday evening after arrival.
Recharge your batteries in the deep Sarthe between two sessions
Between a night of racing and the day of Sunday, the setting of La Goupillère is ideal for recovering. A walk in the estate's 250 hectares of woods, breakfast with local Sarthois products, or a simple nap in the wisteria pergola: the nature of Perche takes care of recharging the batteries before returning to the circuit.
The Perche Sarthois forest, the Huisne valley and medieval towns like Tuffé and La Ferté-Bernard are within reach of a few kilometers. Quiet café terraces and restaurants serving Sarthe specialties, rillettes, rillauds, boudin blanc, complete the experience of a stay in the heart of Sarthe.
Frequently asked questions about accommodation during the 24 Hours
How much does accommodation cost during the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Hotel prices at Le Mans during race week are often multiplied by 3 to 5 compared to usual rates. A weekly gîte like La Sellerie de la Goupillère represents an economical and more comfortable alternative for a group of 2 to 4 people, with equipped kitchen and outdoor space.
Can you attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans without a ticket?
No, access to the circuit requires a ticket, available on the official website of the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest). Tickets for the race often go out several months in advance. On the other hand, the atmosphere around the circuit in the city of Le Mans remains freely accessible throughout the week.
What is the minimum length of time to stay at La Goupillère during the 24 Hours?
The minimum stay during the 24 Hours of Le Mans period is 4 nights. We recommend arriving on Wednesday for the free practice sessions and leaving on Monday after the Sunday race, to enjoy the whole week without rushing.
Are there other automotive events in Sarthe?
Yes, the Le Mans Classic (historic car race) is held in even years, in July. Le Mans is also a stage of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) outside the 24 Hours. La Goupillère is ideally placed for all these events.
Availability around the 24 Hours of Le Mans goes very quickly, sometimes a year in advance. Check the calendar and book now for June 2027 directly on our website.