The high ceilinged mainly glass walled entrance foyer and assembly area are a stark contrast to the museum
halls, which are dimly lit and devoid of natural light, the exhibits being picked out by carefully located
spotlamps, so that the view is concentrated on them rather than any peripheral trappings. Around the
perimeter walls are inset illuminated display cabinets containing a wide variety of memorabilia and models,
relative to the both the history of the automobile, and the Le Mans race, which obviously is an important part
of the museum displays. The total floor display area is over 5000 square metres, and contains 120 vehicles,
including 10 motorcycles and 30 historic racing cars, of which 11 are actual winners of the 24 Hour Race.
Other features are educational working models to show how various parts of a car work, constant video screen
footage of important phases in the development of automobile technology, and a glass walled museum
workshop, where visitors can see exhibits being prepared or repaired by the museums craftsmen.
The range of vehicles on display is very broad, the earliest being an 1885 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux
prototype steam driven dog cart, with an armada of French cars (understandably) of all ages from the invention
of the automobile up to the present day, some interesting examples of the American automobile art form, like
a 1957 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Brougham, quite a mouthful of a model name, a Ford Thunderbird from
the same era, plus the original Ferrari Dino 206 GT prototype, and examples of many European
manufacturers products over the years. A number of these general displays tend to be a little overcrowded, so
that it is difficult to objectively view one car, as invariably another impinges on your view. However, more
space is afforded to each of the racing exhibits, and this shows where the love of the museum lies.
A number of cars over the years have been specifically designed for the Le Mans race, starting with the 1925
Chenard & Walcker Tank Competition, an example of which is on display, they are often rarely seen in public
elsewhere, even during their competition lifespan. Thus a visit to the Le Mans museum provides one with the
opportunity to see some of these rare birds, like the 1974 Matra 670B, the 1983 Rondeau M 482, the 1998
Jaguar XJR9, the Mazda 787 B, the four rotor Wankel engined car that won in 1991, and the 1992 winning
Peugeot 905 B. There are also examples of better known cars like the Ferrari 166 MM barchetta from 1949,
the 1956 Lotus XI, the 1964 Porsche 904 GTS, the mid sixties Ford GT40, and the all conquering Porsche
917 from the early seventies. The majority of the cars in the museum are on loan from the collection of the
Automobile Club de l'Ouest, or from those of private individuals, so there is always the possibility that there is
a change of vehicles on view at any one time.
The foyer contains a boutique and bookshop with a wide range of items on offer, many of which are
specifically made for the museum, and cannot be obtained elsewhere, including specially commissioned
postcards, prints, posters, small souvenir items like pens and keyrings, and a range of leisure wear.
If you are at Le Mans for the race, or passing through on holiday, then you will find the museum a very
interesting diversion, at a very reasonable price. Incidentally, on race weekend holders of race tickets receive
a reduction in the entry ticket price, so remember to take them with you.
How to find it
Situated adjacent to the main entrance to the Le Mans race circuit in Place Luigi Chinetti, south of the town
of Le Mans, signposted from the town, close to the N23 road to Angers, and N138 road to Tours.
The museum is about 5 miles from Le Mans centre, 50 miles from Tours, and 125 miles from Paris.
Admission
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