Buckle up because we’re about to embark on an epic family journey—the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Is it really possible to enjoy a high-speed race with the little ones in tow?” The answer is a resounding YES!
Getting to the Track
Being from the U.S. meant that we needed to do quite a bit of planning to make this international race work for our family. Since this was the 100th anniversary celebration of the race, we started planning well in advance. Tickets to the June race go on sale in November to the general public. Once we secured those (kids under 16 are free if you choose to not sit in the grandstands. More on that below.), as well as parking passes, we began to plan for the trip. Since we had never been to France, we decided to make the trip a bit longer and booked a week in Paris and Mont Saint Michel. Read more about that part of our trip here.
Revving Up Excitement: Get the Kids Pumped!
Start revving up the excitement at home. We were able to take the kids to the Rolex 24 at Daytona prior to our trip to Le Mans. They had also been to a few local races where they were able to see some of the cars ahead of time. Show them videos of previous races, explain the concept of endurance racing, and maybe even encourage them to pick a favorite team or car. Get them invested in the experience so they’ll be buzzing with anticipation on race day. And hey, a little friendly family competition never hurt anyone, right?
On the Road Again: Travel Tips
Now, the journey to Le Mans can be part of the adventure. We rented a car at the airport through Europcar. It was a very smooth experience. The employees were so kind and patient. The car had plenty of space for our stuff. We brought booster seats from home for the kids. It’s important to check the requirements for the country you are visiting. Some of the safety laws were different from what we have at home.
Plan some pit stops along the way to stretch those little legs and explore new places. We stopped at Mont Saint Michel on our way from Paris to Le Mans. We spent the night and had a great time exploring. Check out details of our adventure! We also tried to stop if anyone saw something unique or fun. After all, it’s the journey, not just the destination!
Home Sweet Home in Le Mans: Your Cozy Haven
Yes, the race was our focal point on this part of our adventure, but we knew that our family would not be at the track for 24 hours. So, we found a delightful haven through AirBnB that made the whole family happy. It was close to the track, had a spacious living room, a fully-equipped kitchen for whipping up snacks, and comfy bedrooms to rest those tired little legs after a day at the track. Pro tip: Look for homes with a yard. The kids loved being able to run around outside without any crowds.
French Delights on the Go: Pizza, Baguettes, and Espresso
Let’s talk about fueling your family adventure, and I don’t just mean the car! Le Mans has some culinary delights waiting to be discovered. Picture this: a pizza vending machine for those spontaneous cravings, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love pizza? And don’t forget the classic ham baguettes, a French staple that will keep the family fueled and ready for action. This was a favorite meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And, the ones we got at the track were fantastic! So simple, yet the perfect race food…with a side of crepe and an espresso or rosé (for the grownups).
For a delightful grocery shopping experience, head to Lidl or Carrefour. Carrefour was a haven for everything we needed. Explore the aisles for fresh produce, local cheeses, and, of course, some sweet treats for the little ones. It’s not just a grocery run; it’s a cultural immersion in French flavors! We were even able to grab some
foldable stools, sleeping bags and an art kit (something to keep our youngest adventurer busy during down time) to use at the race.
Race Day Extravaganza: Planning for Family Fun
Now, onto the main event—the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Once you arrive at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, it’s time to immerse yourselves in the racing world. Check out the family-friendly zones, where the kids can enjoy activities like face painting, mini-races, and even meet some drivers. We always try to take a quick ride on the ferris wheel, which is a staple at most car races. The kids love it and it’s a great opportunity to see the whole track from up above.
Since this is a longer race, there is plenty of time to do just about everything. We bought brought packable stools at the local Carrefour, which ended up being a lifesaver. Chairs would have been great, but we didn’t bring them for this international race. Here is a link to our favorite race day chairs! Or try the even lighter version at just 510 grams! For this trip, the stools gave everyone a place to periodically rest and we left them at our airbnb for future visitors.
Just like shorter races, pack a variety of snacks and drinks to keep everyone happy. We also sampled plenty of the track food. Crepes and sandwiches were our go to for the whole weekend. And when the excitement gets too much for the little ones, 
explore the family-friendly zones for activities, games, and even some driver meet-and-greets. It’s all about creating a race day extravaganza that the whole family will cherish.
To make the most of the day, determine where you want to go throughout the race. Our parking pass was for Arnage, which is where we started each time we went to the track. There are shuttles that you can take to move between viewing areas, which we took advantage of. Things can get busy, so plan enough time to travel between spots and still have enough time to watch the race. The kids were fantastic and we made it until about 10:00 PM before heading out for the night. Since our house was so close to the track, we could hear the engines from the yard. We even got to catch a little bit of the fireworks before crashing for the night.
After a well needed night of sleep and a quick breakfast, back to the track we went. Don’t forget the ear protection, more snacks and extra patience on day two of these long races. Although the kids were eager to see some more racing and to do some shopping, they’re kids and they had a little less stamina at this point in the trip. Plan for longer breaks and remember that the experience together is truly worth it. Lastly, don’t forget to capture those unforgettable moments. Whether it’s the excitement at the race, the joy of driving through a quaint French village, or the simple pleasures of a family meal, document it all. Take photos, jot down notes, whatever works so that later you will have those memories to transport you back to the magic of your 24 Hours of Le Mans family adventure.
So, are you ready to rev up your engines and dive into the excitement of 24 Hours of Le Mans with your little racers? With a cozy home in Le Mans, a family-friendly car, French delights on the go, and a full day of racing bliss, your Le Mans adventure is bound to be a family highlight. Start your engines, embrace the joy of family travel, and make memories that will last a lifetime!
