Any way to do the French GP race cheaply?

I thought France was off the schedule this year; I think it just hasn't been taken off the formula1.com website. I could ne wrong but do a search on F1 websites and see.

Mark

 

Not so: July 1st

Anyway, I think France is one of the most expensive GPs of them all: There is not a single hotel anywhere near the track. Mitterand put that thing in the middle of nowhere and so everybody stays wherever they can, which raises the prices skyhigh. No wonder that exclusive tour operators like GrandPrixTours stay on the river. Mucho Euros.

 

Jordan,

The cheapest option is likely to be to camp at the circuit. There is a large camp site there, but also Magny Cours is in the middle of nowhere and other accomodation is a) hard to come by and b) not close at hand. General admission, whilst not cheap, is quite good. There are raised banks all along the main straight and by the Adelaide hairpin. Another advantage of camping is that you can get in early and get a spot by the hairpin (recommended viewing). If you don't have or can't borrow a tent a small one that packs into an easily portable roll can easily be picked up in any French Hypermarket for just a few Euros.

I have only ever been by car, but I'm sure you'd need to take the train to Nevers and then bus to the circuit.

Edit: This is the GP website www.gpfrancef1.com/gpf1. Strangely the English version of the Access section doesn't mention the train, so check the French version as it mention.s a 30%-50% discount on the train normal fare.

Hope that helps

Jonathan

 

Can you volunteer at the event? That might get you free admission, and better access.

 

I heard that's how David Coulthard got his job.

Also the rumor is to this day, he hasn't been able to come up with a valid drivers abstract or resume.

True story.

Anyway, you could always search the papers for people selling tickets {a few days before the race}. Maybe the day of the race people will be selling tickets at the gate for less than they paid.

I really don't know. Is that race a sell out each year?

 

My apologies.

Mark

 

Of all the GP's we've attended, the French GP has to rank as one of the most costly. We had a rental car, took over 3 hours just to get from CDG to the SE of Paris. Stayed in Mont Lucon (lovely place on the river). The circuit is as described - out in the middle of basically nowhere. We had exceptional seats at the hairpin but then again it was about 1000 USD for them for the weekend.

Your better bet would be to go to Le Mans if your sked permits. We'e been and going back again in June. We stay at the track from arrival time on early Saturday am until last train out to CDG on Sunday night at 8 pm. Lots of folks set up shop and sleep in front of the big tv in the Village.

Carol