Discovering Le Mans : things not to be missed
Presentation
Your stay in Le Mans is the ideal opportunity to discover the city's best attractions.
Discover the fascinating history of the Le Mans 24 Hours through a hundred historic vehicles at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours Museum : Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Ford, Porsche, Matra or Audi, all the greats are represented by their mythical models.
If you go to Le Mans city centre, make sure you don't miss the Saint-Julien Cathedral : a very beautiful cathedral, half Romanesque, half Gothic, where you can discover the history of the building's construction. With its 5000m2, it is one of the largest in France.
The city centre is also the opportunity to visit the Cité Plantagenêt, the historic medieval centre of the city of Le Mans : cobbled streets, pan-de-bois houses, Renaissance hotels...
You like art? Take a break and visit the Musée de Tessé near the Cité Plantagenêt : collections of paintings, furniture, sculptures, art objects...
Every summer, during July and August, the Night of the Chimeras is held : many lights are projected on the most beautiful and symbolic buildings of the old town : the Saint-Julien cathedral, the museum of Queen Bérengère, the jet d'eau staircase, the Roman enclosure, the Saint-Hilaire wall... A setting not to be missed!
After more than 4 years of renovation, you can now discover the Visitation. The 18th century convent, which became a courthouse and prison until 2010, now houses restaurants, bars and other shops (games, garden centre...).
Another way to discover the city? The little train of Le Mans! It takes you to the heart of the Cité Plantagenêt, the pedestrian streets of the city centre, the Place de la République, all commented during 40 minutes. Discover the secrets of the heritage : the Saint-Julien cathedral, the half-timbered houses, the history of the Plantagenet, and surprising anecdotes. This visit is offered in 8 languages : English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Brazilian and German.
The Jardin des Plantes or Horticultural Garden is in two parts, located near the city centre, and offers a French and an English part. A listed site since 1945, this botanical garden open to the public covers approximately 8 hectares.
Nearby, only 10 minutes from the town centre and very close to the Epau Abbey, the Arche de la Nature offers visitors 3 houses spread over nearly 500 hectares: the house of water, forest and meadow. Steam and hydraulic engines, large aquariums for freshwater fish, exhibitions on energy, wild animals, films and interactive terminals, 2,100m2 vegetable garden, hanging gardens...
If you go to Le Mans city centre, make sure you don't miss the Saint-Julien Cathedral : a very beautiful cathedral, half Romanesque, half Gothic, where you can discover the history of the building's construction. With its 5000m2, it is one of the largest in France.
The city centre is also the opportunity to visit the Cité Plantagenêt, the historic medieval centre of the city of Le Mans : cobbled streets, pan-de-bois houses, Renaissance hotels...
You like art? Take a break and visit the Musée de Tessé near the Cité Plantagenêt : collections of paintings, furniture, sculptures, art objects...
Every summer, during July and August, the Night of the Chimeras is held : many lights are projected on the most beautiful and symbolic buildings of the old town : the Saint-Julien cathedral, the museum of Queen Bérengère, the jet d'eau staircase, the Roman enclosure, the Saint-Hilaire wall... A setting not to be missed!
After more than 4 years of renovation, you can now discover the Visitation. The 18th century convent, which became a courthouse and prison until 2010, now houses restaurants, bars and other shops (games, garden centre...).
Another way to discover the city? The little train of Le Mans! It takes you to the heart of the Cité Plantagenêt, the pedestrian streets of the city centre, the Place de la République, all commented during 40 minutes. Discover the secrets of the heritage : the Saint-Julien cathedral, the half-timbered houses, the history of the Plantagenet, and surprising anecdotes. This visit is offered in 8 languages : English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Brazilian and German.
The Jardin des Plantes or Horticultural Garden is in two parts, located near the city centre, and offers a French and an English part. A listed site since 1945, this botanical garden open to the public covers approximately 8 hectares.
Nearby, only 10 minutes from the town centre and very close to the Epau Abbey, the Arche de la Nature offers visitors 3 houses spread over nearly 500 hectares: the house of water, forest and meadow. Steam and hydraulic engines, large aquariums for freshwater fish, exhibitions on energy, wild animals, films and interactive terminals, 2,100m2 vegetable garden, hanging gardens...