The 9 things to do in Mans

On holiday in the Sarthe? Visiting Le Mans will therefore be a mandatory passage. Discover the 9 essential things to do in the Mancelle city!

Two hours from Paris, we recommend visiting Le Mans, a city full of history. In addition to the famous 24 hours of Le Mans, the city will enchant you with the richness of its architecture, its gardens and its medieval heart. This is the perfect destination if you want to recharge your time for a weekend.

So if you want to enjoy your holiday to discover the Sarthe, read more. We deliver you the essentials to do at Le Mans.

1. Saint-Julien Cathedral of Mans

Come and visit Le Mans and its Saint-Julien Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic-Roman buildings in France. Its unique architectural style in the great west is a testimony of medieval religious art. His foundation dates back to 1060, by Bishop Vulgrin. However, many work has taken place over the years. It was only in 1430 that the final construction of the monument ended. Today, the cathedral is regularly renovated to counter the adverse effects of air pollution and natural aging.

The Cathedral of Saint-Julien du Mans is one of the most visited monuments of the Sarthe. And for cause, the monument is as impressive on the outside as on the inside. On the vault you will see 47 angels in colour and harmony. In the transept you will discover one of the most beautiful buffets in France dating from the Renaissance.

In her bosom, great bishops and characters rest in peace, such as Geoffroy Plantagenêt, the princes of Bourbon or even Guillaume Du Bellay .

2. The 24 Hours of Le Mans

Circuit des 24 heures du Mans

If only one must keep a must-have at Le Mans, it is undoubtedly the Sarthe circuit. Famous around the world, he was born in 1906 on the occasion of the Grand Prix Automobile de France, whose departure was at Le Mans. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which founded this car race, re-use the circuit at the Grand Prix de l’ACO and the Coupe de la Sarthe.

This is when the idea is launched to put in place a endurance test between vehicles. The first edition takes place in May 1923. Two drivers were day and night to achieve the best performance.

The 24-hour circuit of Le Mans is impressive by its length with 13,626 kilometres of track. As such, it is one of the longest circuits in the world. Used about ten days a year for competitions, the three-quarters of the circuit are open to road traffic the rest of the year.

In addition to the 24 hours of Le Mans, the circuit is also used for the Mans Classic (a race of old cars) and the Michelin Le Mans Cup.

Museum of 24 Hours of Le Mans

To help you understand the myth of the 24-hour Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest opened a museum dedicated to this international event in 1961. The museum presents no less than 140 vehicles of worldwide known brands. Discover legendary models of Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Bentley, Matra, etc.

In total, there are 6,500 square meters of exhibition that plunge you into the world of competition. In addition to presenting the vehicles, the museum presents the history of the automobile, the circuit, the race, its backstage and of course its heroes. Apart from sports events, you can visit the circuit freely. You will discover the infrastructures that make its particularity, such as the Dunlop Bridge or the 9 bridges that beat the hearts of the spectators.

Originally, the museum was located within the circuit, right next to the village. As a result of expansions and adjustments, it moves to the main entrance.

3. Cité Plantagenêt

The city Plantagenêt corresponds to the medieval historic center of the city, formerly known as Vindunum. The city is located near the center of the Republic and the Jacobins. It transports you in the Middle Ages with its paved streets and old houses. Great monuments of the medieval period are present as the Gallo-Roman wall or the Cathedral of Saint-Julien du Mans. Moreover, the city Plantagenêt is regularly used for scenery of cape and sword films.

Throughout its history, Vindunum suffered conquests or attempts to conquest. This was notably the case of William the conqueror, Clovis or Richard Cœur de Lion. Today, the city enjoys the status of free commune, since 1979. This is the second after Montmartre.

But the city Plantagenêt hides other secrets; at the top of the wall, special hotels await you. In the basement, they are secret paths that hide to connect the cathedral to other strategic points in the city.

4. A jump to the elastic

What to do in Le Mans for a bit of a strong feeling? Why not an elastic jump on the Viaduc de Saint-Georges le Gaultier? The full adrenaline is guaranteed. At 45 meters high, the viaduct awaits you for the great jump. Here you are in the middle of nature. It is therefore an opportunity to admire the landscape around you before diving into the void.

It is very easy to access the viaduct on foot. A steep path with several steps allows you to reach the bridge and the jump area easily. Once there, a team of experts will guide you step by step so that your elastic jump is one of your most beautiful memories. They brief you on security instructions and equip you with all the necessary equipment. As soon as you are ready, you only have to jump.

5. Arche de la nature

On 500 hectares of nature, three houses offer their universe.

House of water

Uncontournable at Le Mans, the water house is open from February to November. She introduces you to the world around the river. Within the aquariums, discover a variety of species such as trouts, beards, vairons, studs, etc. During your visit, discover the operation of the old water plants and their evolution over the years and technological progress.

For the short story, the latter were used to distribute 20,000 cubic meters of water every day to the inhabitants of Le Mans. And to make the visit even more enjoyable, rent bicycles or canoes and walk along the river.

Prairie House

Walk in the ark of nature aboard the hippomobiles. Large carrioles tracted by percheron horses take you to discover the bocage and the forest. After your walk, go to the Estaminet to taste local products.

In the heart of the house of the meadow, the garden of the Arch of Nature extends over 2,100 square meters. Botanical lovers, you will discover the name of each plant on small slates. The garden offers a wide variety of vegetables and teach you all organic techniques for your gardening.

And if you are urban, tips are also presented to you through suspended gardens or square gardens.

Forest house

Last house of the Ark to visit in Mans, the House of the Forest. Here the forest world is addressed in various ways. You will discover the wood industry and its trades through models and games. You can admire the huge resin trees with a height of five metres. The trail of the forest house has also received the label “Remarkable Tree of France” for its 32 plants composing the site.

Wildlife is also present with about 50 naturalized animals. They are all represented in their natural environment. For example, a forest pond has also been reconstituted. And if you want to observe living species, go to the anthill and near the snake and insect vivariums.

6. Gallo-Roman

Come and visit the Mans, just to not miss this architectural treasure. Treasure of the third century, the Gallo-Roman enclosure shows the power and wealth of the region. First designed to withstand barbarians, the wall suffered many Breton, Norman, and viking invasions over the centuries. To give it all its splendor, the building has been regularly restored.

Originally, the enclosure completely surrounds the city over 1,300 meters with 26 fortified towers. Today, the track of the ground remains with eleven laps and three paternals. Its ochre colour, which we notice from the outset, comes from the use of the roussard stone that alternates a scary limestone, red bricks and a pale pink mortar. The architectural qualities of designers are always visible through the neat geometric designs that adorn the wall.

7. Tessé Museum

The idea of the Tessé Museum appeared at the end of the reign of Louis XVI. At that time, many private or religious collections were confiscated. They were then transferred to the Musée des Beaux-Aarts du Mans, which opened on June 21, 1799. The works present mainly come from the great west ( Angers , Anjou, Maine, and Brittany ).

From 1846, the museum has an archaeological branch. Today, the collection was moved to the Archaeological Museum and History of Maine.

The Tessé Museum currently includes two collections:

• The Egyptian antiquities: where you can admire more than 125 pieces dating from the fourth millennium before our era;
• The paintings: many works dating from the XIV to the XXth are highlighted. You will discover the greatest artistic currents of Western art.

8. Papéa Park

What to do in Le Mans with family? Papéa Park is the center of attraction where you must absolutely take your children during your holidays in the Sarthe. The park offers 40 attractions distributed in different universes to satisfy small and large. The youngest will have fun on the tractos rigolos, the caterpillar, the circuit 24 hours or the boat buffers at the collision.

For the most ski resorts, water slides, Russian mountains and other decaying attractions were planned. Finally, for families, enjoy a relaxing moment on the pedal boats, race quickly on the spider or visit the volier to discover the beautiful blue paon.

9. Culinary specialities

Come visit Le Mans and test the region's culinary specialties. Besides the famous rillettes, the Mans is full of delicious dishes. On the salty side, treat yourself with a Sarthian hermit: chicken, rabbit, mushrooms, cabbages and carrots with a dry white wine from the region. These are all the ingredients necessary for this typically local snack.

On the sweet side, you would be wrong not to taste buggatises, rilletes, hearts of the Queen or sausages (yes, it’s a sugar factory).

How do I get to Le Mans?

Le Mans is easily accessible by car or by train. It is therefore highly recommended to use these two means of transport.

For the car, and thanks to the A11 , you are only 2h30 from Paris . For the West, the A11 and A28 also lead in the sarthic prefecture. Finally, if you arrive from the South, you will also have to borrow the A28 on the end of the journey.

For the train, the city is served by several TGV, Ouigo and TER lines. We can reach Le Mans in high speed from Paris-Montparnasse, St-Malo or Marseille St-Charles.

Where to stay at Le Mans?

You are rather luxury hotel, relaxed atmosphere in a youth hostel or intimacy with an apartment in Airbnb ? Whatever your preferences, you will find what is right for you during your stay in Le Mans.

On the neighbourhood side, the Cité Plantagenêt is obviously perfect for exploring the city. However, for a lower budget, neighborhoods are from the city are an excellent option, thanks to public transport. Help yourself with one Compare hotels to refine your research, depending on your personal criteria.

From now on, there is only one to visit Le Mans. Good trip!