A city steeped in history, the discovery of Old Le Mans is a must for lovers of medieval architecture. But if the old town has been a source of inspiration for the city for a long time, Le Mans does not fail to live with the times either. Contemporary buildings, cultural events and other urban projects are now attracting the interest of modernity enthusiasts. With a rich past in historical events, this surprising city with multiple facets is also close to nature. A getaway is an opportunity to escape to beautiful rural areas. In the city, the Metropolis clearly shows its will to make Le Mans a town where tomorrow's tourism will be responsible and sustainable.
The Plantagenet City, a real dive into history
The Cité Plantagenêt is the historical part of Le Mans. Stroll through a maze of paved streets lined with houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries and you are immediately transported to the heart of a medieval atmosphere. Protected by its Roman wall, the city reveals several monuments not to be missed. Starting with the Saint-Julien du Mans cathedral, the oldest parts of which still visible date back to the beginning of the 11th century. Built in two distinct main styles, Romanesque and Gothic, the building impresses as much by its exterior ornaments as by the presence of one of the most beautiful organ cases in France, combining the flamboyant Gothic style with that of the Renaissance, as well as 47 painted angels, adorning the vaults of the Chapel of the Virgin. The cathedral is one of the most visited monuments of the Sarthe, also because great people are buried there. Let's mention among others Geoffroy Plantagenêt (of his funeral monument, only the enamel which decorated it is preserved in the Carré Plantagenêt - musée Jean-Claude Boulard) and Guillaume du Bellay, bishop at the Saint-Julien cathedral and brother of Joachim, famous author of the Pléiade (whose tomb is visible in one of the radiating chapels of the choir).
The cathedral is far from being the only religious monument in Le Mans, since the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Couture, the chapel of the Oratory and the chapel of the Visitation are other heritage elements to be visited. After having admired again some of the numerous half-timbered houses that adorn the Old Mans, how can we not mention the incredible house of the Pilier-Rouge?
We then go to the top of the wall to see the Renaissance style mansions. The houses known as the Tourelle, the Pèlerin, Adam and Eve as well as the Saint-Jacques, Clairaulnay, Vaux, Vignolles and Rouxelin d'Arcy mansions are other treasures that have contributed to Le Mans being labeled "City of Art and History"
The Plantagenet City is an absolutely unique place, which not only underwent the conquests and attempts of conquest of illustrious characters such as Clovis, William the Conqueror and John Without Land, brother of Richard the Lionheart, but which is also now regularly used as a film location for historical movies and "cloak and dagger" atmosphere. Since 1979, the city has also been a free municipality. It is a free community in the same way as Montmartre, Cros de Cagnes or the Canuts in Lyon. Visitors do not always know it, but if the Plantagenet City is exceptional above ground, it is also exceptional underground, where cellars sometimes communicate under several houses or mansions offering shelters in times of war. The Gallo-Roman thermal baths are open to the public from time to time and remind us of the splendor of the Roman city, the ancient city of the Aulerques Cénomans
It is also necessary to return for a moment to the Gallo-Roman enclosure to highlight all its splendor. Probably built in the year 280, this Roman wall protected the historic center for 17 centuries. In spite of an eventful history made of invasions, wars, partial destructions, this wall is the best preserved of the ancient Roman Empire after those of Rome and Constantinople.
Beyond its high architectural value, a stroll in the Plantagenet City is an opportunity to stop in the bars and gourmet addresses. And we know that the city is full of culinary specialties: rillettes and marmite sarthoise for the salty side, bugattises, bourdons (a cake baked in the oven, made of a shortcrust pastry surrounding an apple) and rillettes for the sweet side
And since we have spoken at length about history, a walk in Le Mans is also an opportunity to get to know its main museums. Starting with the Tessé Museum, one of the oldest in France. Opened in 1799 after the Revolution, it houses a fine collection of paintings ranging from the Primitives to the 20th century and offers an immersion in the great artistic currents of Western art, as well as a hundred or so objects from Egyptian antiquity
Between architecture and artistic events, a look towards the future
Yes, Le Mans is a great place to discover an ancient and wonderfully preserved heritage, but the city has also evolved to offer other facets and surprise visitors. The 19th century saw the construction of some of the city's most beautiful monuments, such as the former Etoc-Demazy hospital, the precursor of hospital architecture in France, the Chamber of Commerce, the Post and Telegraph building, the former Cosson photographic studio and the former Grüber Brewery on Place de la République. A stroll also reveals the façade of the Galeries Lafayette combining Art Nouveau and industrial art (reminiscent in some aspects of the pillars of the Eiffel Tower). Much more recently, in June 2009, a work by the sculptor Jean-Bernard Métais found its place in the heart of the Jardin de Tessé. It is a giant hourglass, a huge cube of metal and glass all in transparency and placed on a pavement, giving the impression that it is floating. Proof that the city of Le Mans is by no means closed to contemporary creations, the FIAA, a contemporary art center, does not fail to arouse curiosity and seduce with its resolutely modern lines. Let's also mention the project of creation of social housing in the artisanal zone of the Belle Chasse in Le Mans. The Broceliande residence project involves the construction of housing from recycled maritime containers. This project, which is sure to modernize the city, is an indicator of the metropolitan government's desire to turn to innovative and ecological construction in order to meet the demands of today's world.
Le Mans also has something to satisfy street art fans. The city even has its own festival dedicated to this artistic practice: Plein Champ. Taking place at the beginning of July, it invites several artists to create works in the Gué-de-Maulny park or on the Ile aux Planches, along the towpath. Workshops, animations and other concerts also animate this strong time around the urban art. Some works are also moved so that they can be seen all year round. Today, guided tours around street art are proposed. They lead to places not to be missed such as the Tobacco Factory of Le Mans and the viaduct of the Avenue Jean-Jaurès. Le Mans does not want to play second fiddle to its region in terms of art. And for that purpose, it presents another large-scale cultural event: Le Mans Sonore. This sound biennial, whose second edition was held in 2022 and whose next will be held in 2024, combines science and culture in a unique way. Exhibitions, symposiums, concerts, transport the public to the crossroads of music, design, contemporary art and research.
From the city to nature
Another metropolitan desire is to make Le Mans a city where tourism is responsible and sustainable. First and foremost, it offers a very pleasant living environment, both for the inhabitants and for people visiting for a weekend or a vacation. As a medium-sized city, it is easy to get around on foot, by bike or by public transport. The city has many parks where you can walk such as the Jardin des Plantes, the Île-aux-Planches, the Gué-de-Maulny, the Tessé park and the Théodore Monod park. The domain of the Arche de la Nature offers a vast natural space to discover the river, the bocage and the forest, by visiting the Maison de la forêt, the Maison de l'eau and the Maison de la prairie. Numerous hiking trails also allow you to discover the varied and picturesque natural landscapes, not far from Le Mans, with the Alpes Mancelles, the meanders of the Vègre, a small tributary of the Sarthe, or the forests such as those of Bercé, Perseigne or Jupilles. Finally, every last weekend of September, the event Entre Cours et Jardins offers the possibility to admire the private gardens of the Plantagenet City.
FUTURE INFO
When is the event held?
Spring, fall and summer are mild seasons to visit Le Mans and its surrounding nature. Summer is mild with rare heat episodes. Winter is cool and humid. It is necessary to think of covering yourself well.
Duration
Le Mans can be visited for a weekend to see the city's highlights. A vacation of a week or more allows you to escape to the surrounding area and enjoy nature and outdoor activities like hiking.
Budget
There are different types of accommodation in Le Mans, from bed and breakfasts to modest hotels and more upscale hotels. You should expect to pay about 75 € per night for two people in a 3-star hotel. Formulas in restaurants start at 18 €
Public
The whole family will enjoy walking around the historic part of Le Mans, as well as enjoying its parks and the green nature in the rest of the department. As a couple or solo, everyone is welcome in the capital of the Sarthe.
The advantages
A rich historical heritage
A variedarchitecture
The abundance of public transportation.
A city of culture with various events every year
A city on a human scale and open to nature
The minuses
The rain can be a problem in the middle of autumn and winter.
How to get there
By car, from Paris, follow the A10 towards Chartres, then the A11 towards Le Mans. From Lyon, take the A71 and then the A28
By train, several connections per day between Paris Montparnasse and Le Mans by TGV. The journey takes 55 minutes. There are also several connections from Bordeaux, for a trip that takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes for the shortest.
Useful
LE MANS MÉTROPOLE TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the site
https://www.lemans-tourisme.com/fr/
16, rue de l'Étoile - Le Mans
Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm (Sundays and holidays from 2:30pm to 6pm from May to September at the Maison du Pilier-Rouge).
Tel. 02 43 28 17 22
SETRAM AGENCY (TRAMWAY)
65, avenue du Général de Gaulle - Le Mans
Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm.
Tel : 02 43 24 76 76
