Access to Paul Ricard, after the 2018 fiasco, the information to know
Following the significant disruptions observed last year in accessing the French Grand Prix, the organization and political authorities had to react. At the start of this race weekend, let's review the improvements made and their impact on access conditions.
The popular success of the return of the French Grand Prix in 2018 was not without its challenges for the public, who flocked in large numbers to the Paul Ricard circuit. Access turned into a fiasco, leaving many drivers stuck in steamy traffic jams, both on the highway and on the access roads.
The organization, after having questioned various aspects of access to the circuit, implemented different measures for 2019 to optimize flows.
A shuttle service has been set up, some of which are free from La Ciotat. With privileged access closed to traffic, this service will help to limit the influx of cars and reduce the access time for spectators who have chosen this mode of transport.
Shuttle buses depart from Marseille, Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice.
This service must be booked through the Grand Prix website or via a smartphone app.
Parking lots, which were overcrowded last year, are now paved and managed by a team of professionals to streamline arrivals and departures as much as possible. A free helmet storage service is available for those who wish to come by two-wheeler.
The traffic routes have all been revised, taking into account the bad experience of 2018. Drones will be deployed above the various traffic areas in order to adapt the resources available to the authorities to limit disruptions as much as possible.
Les passionnés qui arrivent n’ont pas à se plaindre de la circulation pour accéder au circuit Paul Ricard, à l’image de Michel, venu de Salon, qui espère qu’il en sera de même pour le retour, il avait du attendre deux heures pour sortir du parking l’an dernier #GPFranceF1 pic.twitter.com/TZjSrc2UIu
— Var-matin (@Var_Matin) 21 juin 2019
As of Friday morning, it must be acknowledged that the various measures are currently proving successful. The shuttle service is a success, and road access is relatively smooth.
Let’s hope it continues for the rest of the weekend because everything is just beginning here at Castellet.
From our special correspondent at Le Castellet
