Four days of dream roads. Four exceptional hotels. One destination every motorsport enthusiast knows: Le Mans.
And one detail that makes all the difference: you do not drive your car there. We bring it. You hand it over in Frankfurt or Munich, fly to Nice – and your sports car is already waiting for you.
There are journeys where the destination takes centre stage. And there are journeys where every single kilometre counts. Grand Le Mans is exactly that kind of journey.
From the glittering Mediterranean on the Côte d'Azur, the route runs through Provence, over legendary Alpine roads, through the Burgundy wine region and the Loire Valley, all the way to a place that has been writing motorsport history for more than 100 years: Le Mans.
Vehicle transport: the heart of Grand Le Mans
Most sports car trips begin with a chore: 900 kilometres of motorway before the good roads even start. By the time you reach the first mountain pass you have already been in the car for six hours. Grand Le Mans turns that around.
The European Speed Club normally arranges the insured transport of your car to the south of France – and back. Handover takes place at central collection points; most recently we collected the cars in Frankfurt and Munich. You hand over your car, fly comfortably to Nice and find it there, washed and ready.
That changes the entire trip. You start rested instead of tired. You spend not a single day on transit kilometres. And after four intense days of driving you are not faced with the prospect of crossing Europe again to get home – you fly, your car follows.
If you would rather not bring a car at all, CarForGo is the alternative: a prepared sports car from our fleet is waiting for you in Nice. Either way the principle is the same – arrive, get in, drive.
What is Grand Le Mans?
Grand Le Mans is part of the European Speed Club's Grand Touring programme. The concept is aimed at sports car enthusiasts who value exceptional roads as much as exclusive hotels, good food and shared experiences.
Unlike classic road trips, the holiday does not begin only once you arrive – the journey there is already part of the experience. From Nice, a journey of around 1,300 kilometres across France begins, without a single unnecessary motorway kilometre.
Grand Le Mans is not a racing event. It is the art of travelling in style in your own sports car – perfectly organised, with exceptional hotels, regional cuisine and some of the most beautiful roads in France.
Why does the journey start on the Côte d'Azur?
Hardly any region in Europe stands for Mediterranean living quite like the Côte d'Azur. This is where Grand Le Mans begins. After arriving in Nice, there is time to enjoy the atmosphere of the French Riviera before the first driving day starts the following morning.
After just a few kilometres it becomes clear what Grand Touring is about. Not motorways. Not time pressure. Not covering as many kilometres as possible. But roads you will still remember years later.
The route – France at its most beautiful
Provence
The first driving day leads through Provence. Lavender fields, small mountain villages, Mediterranean landscapes and winding country roads make for the perfect start to the journey. This is not about top speed, but about rhythm. Corner after corner, kilometre after kilometre.
Route Napoléon & the Alps
From Provence the route climbs into the French Alps. Grand Le Mans combines some of the most spectacular roads in France with one of Europe's best-known winter sports resorts: Alpe d'Huez. Legendary mountain passes, perfect ribbons of tarmac and constantly changing panoramas make this section the driving highlight of the tour for many participants.
Burgundy
After the mountains, the landscape changes. Vineyards, small villages and long-established wine estates shape Burgundy. Here Grand Le Mans slows down – not only on the road, but in the evening too. With a stay at the exclusive COMO Le Montrachet, you experience one of France's most renowned wine regions at close range.
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is considered one of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in France. Châteaux, tree-lined avenues and gentle hills accompany the final shared stage to Tours. Anticipation for the grand finale grows here – because Le Mans is now within reach.
Four exceptional hotels
Grand Touring means more than exceptional roads. The hotels are part of the overall experience too. Which properties are booked on a given date is set out in the description of that trip.
- Hôtel Cantemerle – Vence: Mediterranean charm, a relaxed atmosphere and the perfect starting point for the journey.
- Grandes Rousses – Alpe d'Huez: In the heart of the French Alps. The ideal place to wind down after an intense driving day.
- COMO Le Montrachet: Elegance in the heart of Burgundy. One of the highlights of the entire journey.
- Les Trésorières – Tours: A modern boutique hotel and the perfect base for visiting the Le Mans Classic.
The grand finale – Le Mans Classic
For many motorsport fans, Le Mans is more than a race track. It is a myth. Legends have been born here for over a century.
The Le Mans Classic brings the most significant racing cars of past decades back to the Circuit de la Sarthe. Historic Porsche, Ferrari, Ford GT40, Jaguar, Corvette, Aston Martin and many other icons return to the place where they wrote motorsport history.
With Grand Le Mans you experience this event as more than an ordinary visitor. Entry to the event and access to the paddock are normally already included. Between race sessions you can see the cars up close, watch the teams at work and soak up the unique atmosphere.
A very special highlight – the parade laps
One moment stays with every participant. On Saturday morning, the Circuit de la Sarthe opens for the parade laps. In your own sports car you take on the full 13-kilometre version of the legendary 24-hour circuit: under the legendary Dunlop bridge (today the Goodyear bridge), through Tertre Rouge, along the Mulsanne straight, through Indianapolis and Arnage. An experience motorsport fans normally only know from television.
More than a sports car journey
Grand Le Mans is deliberately not a racing event. There is no timing, no trophies, no competition. Instead, the focus is on shared experiences, exceptional roads and the exchange with like-minded people.
As a rule, a maximum of twelve sports cars per group keeps every tour personal. The journey is accompanied by experienced ESC coaches, who take care of organisation, navigation and support.
What is usually included
- Insured vehicle transport from Frankfurt and Munich to the south of France – and back
- Four nights in selected 4- and 5-star hotels
- Fully planned dream routes across France
- Support from the European Speed Club team
- Luggage logistics
- Entry to the Le Mans Classic
- Paddock access
- Parade laps on the Circuit de la Sarthe
- High-quality cuisine along the entire route
- A professionally organised group journey
The services that apply to your specific date are set out in the description of the individual trip and in our terms and conditions, which take precedence.
Who is Grand Le Mans for?
Grand Le Mans is aimed at drivers of high-end sports cars and GT vehicles. Whether Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, Corvette or comparable cars – what matters is not the badge, but the passion for exceptional automobiles and special roads. The journey suits experienced touring drivers just as well as participants discovering Grand Touring for the first time.
Conclusion
Grand Le Mans combines the best that France has to offer: Mediterranean flair on the Côte d'Azur, spectacular Alpine roads, the elegance of Burgundy, the Loire Valley – and, as the crowning finale, the legendary Le Mans Classic.
And it all begins with handing over your car and boarding a plane. That is precisely what separates Grand Le Mans from a road trip: the journey does not start on a motorway, but on the first beautiful road.
Interested? You will find all the details and dates on our Grand Touring overview.
Frequently asked questions
No. Grand Le Mans is open to all makes. All suitable sports cars and GT vehicles are welcome.
No. The ESC team takes care of all luggage logistics.
The European Speed Club normally arranges insured vehicle transport. You travel comfortably by plane. The details for your specific date are set out in the trip description.
No. Grand Touring is about relaxed travel, driving enjoyment and exceptional experiences – not competition.
Groups are deliberately kept small and, as a rule, consist of a maximum of twelve cars.
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