Summary
“Le Mans” signifies racing: The esteemed 24 Hours of Le Mans continues to thrive nearly a century after its inaugural event.
Motor sports enthusiasts can pay tribute at the track and even navigate sections of it as the course incorporates public roads.
Additionally, the circuit houses a comprehensive collection of racing history at its museum.
However, Le Mans offers considerably more than merely a racing venue, deserving of attention even for those unacquainted with automotive pursuits.
Le Mans is steeped in history, being the birthplace of kings; it was also the residence of Richard the Lionheart’s wife, Berengaria of Navarre, who lived and died here. The Cité Plantagenêt boasts a whole district filled with authentic medieval houses, remarkably preserved over time.
During summer evenings, the Nuit des Chimères light show transforms the historic sections of Le Mans with enchanting projections, narrating the city’s narrative in a captivating manner for both children and adults alike.
Let us delve into the best attractions in Le Mans:
1. Cité Plantagenêt
Le Mans takes pride in its association with the House of Plantagenêt, which ruled England for over 300 years, and in 2003, it adopted this name for its historic quarter.
Roughly following the outline of the ancient Gallo-Roman walls, the Cité Plantagenêt features numerous streets of charming old houses with timber frames, as well as Renaissance palaces adorned with intricately carved exteriors.
Consider obtaining a guide from the tourist office to explore thoroughly and ensure that you do not overlook any hidden treasures.
Moreover, aim to coincide your visit with one of the city’s heritage days when many private mansions open their doors to the public for complimentary tours.
2. Le Mans Cathedral
As you traverse the old town, the cathedral subtly reveals itself as you turn onto Place du Cardinal Grente. While its exterior is less ornate than many northern French cathedrals, it is no less impressive.
The most noteworthy feature visible from the outside is the series of flying buttresses enveloping the apse, best appreciated from Place des Huguenots.
Additionally, a fascinating curiosity can be found on the building’s southwest corner: a stone age menhir, relocated here in the 1770s, displays peculiar layered contours due to centuries of weathering.
The interior houses models illustrating the evolution of this structure, which dates back to the year 500, assuming its current form in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Be sure to admire the Romanesque capitals in the nave and the abundance of original stained glass windows.
3. La Nuit des Chimères
Translating to “Night of Dreams,” from Tuesday to Saturday during the summer, Le Mans’ seven principal monuments become a canvass for artistic light displays.
These imaginative projections adhere to historical themes pertinent to their landmarks. For instance, the cathedral features Gothic-style frescoes depicting knights, zodiac signs, angels, and legendary creatures.
At the Maison de la Reine Bérengère, the depiction of Berengaria of Navarre appears as a ghostly White Lady.
Meanwhile, the Gallo-Roman walls are illuminated with imagery reminiscent of Roman mosaics, showcasing mythical monsters and builders constructing ancient Vindunum.
4. Gallo-Roman Walls
There exists an impressive 500-metre stretch of Le Mans’ 3rd-century walls situated between the cathedral and the Sarthe River.
This forms part of what was once a massive rectangular structure that fortified the city, complete with 26 towers.
Get close to appreciate the intricate geometric patterns composed of alternating layers of sandstone, white limestone, red brick, and pale pink mortar.
Moreover, observe how materials from earlier monuments were repurposed within the walls; fragments of columns and pediments can be identified within this construction.
5. Circuit des 24 Heures
It is prevalent that the name “Le Mans” is frequently followed by “24 Hours.” This underscores the significance of the event, which commenced in 1923 and has attained iconic status. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the oldest ongoing motor race and represents one of the ultimate tests of skill and endurance for both drivers and vehicles, as cars operate at full throttle for approximately 85% of the race duration.
The circuit is a pilgrimage site for motorsport aficionados and a noteworthy element of modern heritage for everyone else.
Several segments of the track serve as public roads for the majority of the year, while the race typically occurs on a weekend in mid-June.
6. Musée des 24 Heures du Mans
Only a race as legendary as the Le Mans 24 Hours merits its own dedicated museum.
Car enthusiasts will undoubtedly gain the most from this attraction, yet it offers a wealth of machinery that most visitors will appreciate.
Among the 120 vehicles displayed, 40 are race cars that have participated in the event.
The museum narrates the origin of the race and introduces visitors to several notable figures from its illustrious history.
In addition to the array of racing vehicles, you will encounter the official Audi safety car, vintage fuel stations, classic automobiles from the early days of motoring, and memorabilia such as goggles and race suits from past champions.
7. Historic Houses
With assistance from the tourist office, you can compile a list of wonderful historic houses to visit as you take a leisurely stroll.
The exquisite Maison d’Adam et Ève, situated at 69 Grande-Rue, is inaccurately named, as the notable Renaissance relief above the entrance actually depicts Ariadne and Bacchus rather than Adam and Eve.
The prominent Hôtel de Vignolles on Place Saint-Pierre, marked by its sharply sloping roof, dates back to 1549 and would have stood out in Le Mans at that time due to its distinct Parisian architectural style.
Lastly, the 16th-century Maison de la Tourelle, located behind the cathedral, is characterized by a charming turret extending from one corner of the house, featuring beautiful gables and a castellated chimney stack.
8. Local Delicacies
Le Mans is renowned for its meat-centric cuisine, with a historical reputation dating back to the Middle Ages.
This applies to various meats, including pork and beef, but particularly poultry like capons and guinea fowl. Most local dishes feature these meats, which are commonly paired with potatoes and mushrooms abundant in the Sarthe countryside.
However, the dish most synonymous with Le Mans is Rillettes.
This delicacy consists of finely chopped, salted pork slowly cooked in fat for up to ten hours until it attains a pâté-like consistency perfect for spreading on baguettes.
Rillettes are typically sold in glass jars and also come in duck, chicken, and fish varieties.
9. Abbaye de l’Épau
One of France’s most remarkable Cistercian abbeys is located on the outskirts of Le Mans, founded in 1229 by Queen Berengaria.
She would pass away there the following year and is interred at the abbey, though the exact location of her remains remains uncertain—her gisant (tomb effigy) is, however, readily identifiable.
As you explore this tranquil abbey, pay attention to the historical details, such as the beautiful arches on the southern facade, the intricate tracery in the rose window, as well as 14th-century frescoes and the 13th-century refectory door.
10. Musée De Tessé
The Musée de Tessé in Le Mans, housed within the former Episcopal palace, excels in its extensive collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts.
These artifacts, gifted to the museum by 19th-century explorer Édouard de Montulé, include approximately 125 pieces dating back as far as 6,000 years.
The centerpiece of the collection is the gilded sarcophagus of the priest Nakhmontou from the 17th dynasty, dating back 3,500 years.
The painting galleries provide a comprehensive overview of the progression of European art, ranging from the medieval Italian primitives, such as Bartolomeo Bulgarini, to the 19th-century landscape artist Camille Corot, who significantly influenced the impressionists.
11. Maison de la Reine Bérengère
If you recall La Nuit des Chimères, Queen Berengaria was depicted as a ghost on the walls of these trio of 15th-century half-timbered structures.
According to local lore, she passed away in a building that once occupied this site, although such claims are likely apocryphal.
The current buildings are well-preserved, with number 9 featuring carvings of the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin, enriched with Italian arabesques on the façade.
Inside, you can find a museum documenting Le Mans’ historic trades, including pewter and weaving, complemented by paintings and photographs from the 19th century.
On the upper floor, a collection of antique finials (decorative elements that once adorned rooftops in the city) awaits discovery.
12. Arche de la Nature
Just ten minutes from the center of Le Mans, you will find a nature park managed by the city, spanning over 450 hectares.
This setting provides an excellent opportunity to educate younger generations about our connection with nature and agriculture.
Trails winding through pine, chestnut, and oak forests lead to various attractions, including the Maison de l’Eau, which educates visitors on topics such as water treatment, boasting an aquarium featuring regional freshwater species like trout, bream, and barbel.
Additionally, the Maison de la Prairie includes glass apiaries allowing visitors to observe bees at work, alongside various farm animals indigenous to Sarthe.
Deep within the forest lies La Maison de la Forêt, which houses spacious enclosures for local wildlife such as deer, wild boars, partridges, and pheasants.
13. Musée Vert
As is often the case, the museum of natural history in Le Mans traces its origins to the elite cabinets of curiosities from the 18th century.
The Revolution paved the way for wider access, leading to a precursor of the Musée Vert, featuring many of the current specimens, inaugurated in 1799. The collection encompasses 400,000 items covering geology, botany, paleontology, and zoology.
Among the early collections, there are many of the 100,000 shells, with several belonging to mollusks that are now extinct.
The petrology section showcases meteorites collected throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, while the paleontology exhibits contain fossils dating back to the Mesozoic Era, between 252 and 66 million years ago.
14. Spaycific’Zoo
Le Mans offers ample opportunities for younger visitors to engage in enjoyable activities, including a delightful day at the nearby zoo featuring over 600 animals.
The park’s Exotarium allows you to come remarkably close to tropical creatures, such as snakes, crustaceans, frogs, lizards, spiders, and insects.
The Australian section features wallabies and dingoes, which are afforded ample space to roam freely.
The highlight of this area is undoubtedly the Keas, large alpine parrots from New Zealand, notorious for their playful antics and mischievous behavior.
Additionally, the African Aviary stands as the second-largest aviary in France, reaching 12 meters in height and representing one of the few places where marabou storks can experience flight in captivity (they boast a wingspan of three meters).
15. Papéa Parc
Lastly, for families with children under ten, there exists a small theme park, providing ample entertainment for half a day.
For younger children, there are secure climbing structures, bouncy castles, merry-go-rounds, and a petting zoo.
Older children can enjoy a variety of thrilling rides, including roller coasters, a swing boat, log flumes, and even more exhilarating attractions such as the Cyclone and the Apache.
The park is equipped with several restaurants and kiosks, including a Crêperie, along with plenty of shaded areas and grassy lawns ideal for picnicking.
