Top 10 Things To Do In Le Mans

Top 10 Things To Do in Le Mans

One of the world’s best-known automobile races is held annually in Le Mans, located in Northwestern France. The race is dubbed “24 hours of Le Mans”. It’s only befitting that there is a museum of early motor cars at the Sarthe road-racing circuit outside of the city.

Le Mans has a history of royalty, with England lineage- the city reverted to the French crown in the 13^th Century.

The city was mainly a market town for agricultural products in the region. This changed in the mid-19^th century with the development of new industries. A tour concentrated on the top 10 things to do in Le Mans will help you uncover the city’s noble history while you take in its picturesque nature.

La Nuit des Chimères

La nuit des Chimères- by Mila Simakova- Wikimedia

This cathedral is a sight for sore eyes especially at night- monuments are turned into projection screens showing different shapes and images that oscillate between historical and legendary figures. The cathedral basically has mini-shows at night in pictures set against the walls using light, on different sites.

La Nuit des Chimères will have you watch and stand in awe as the transformation takes place at dusk.

Circuit des 24 Heures

Circuit des 24 Heures- by OldLion- Wikimedia Commons

If you visit Le Mans in mid- June you might get the chance to watch the famed 24 hours of Le Mans. The 24 hours Le Mans race track begun in 1923 and is the oldest motor race. The track is a must-see and capture memories of for its novelty.

Musée des 24 Heures du Mans

Musée automobile de la Sarthe- by Aviator12- Wikimedia Commons

This Museum dedicated to Le Mans is so deserved and you also deserve to see it! You will be able to see 120 vehicles on display (if you have the grit), 40 of which are actually races cars that competed in the event.

You will learn about the race and event history and the legends that have raced on the track. There are collectables that you could also take home in addition to photos, see films and archive photographs.

Abbaye de l’Epau

Abbaye de l’Epau- by Selbymay- Wikimedia Commons

On the outskirts of Le Mans, you will find one of France’s finest Cistercian abbeys. It was founded by English queen Berengaria of Navarre. A visit to this Abbey will be worth your while- you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet as you take in the mastery of the building such as the lovely arches on the south facade, the traceries in the rosette and the 13th-century door to the refectory.

Musée de Tessé

Musée de Tessé- by Par J.-F. Gaulon- Wikimedia Commons

Musée de Tesse is located near Plantagenet city. The museum transports you through centuries as you uncover artefacts and paintings from the different nationalities that form part of Le Mans’ culture.

The collection boasts fifteenth to nineteenth-century paintings from Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, furniture, sculptures, objects d’art from the twelfth to the nineteenth century and the twentieth century.

The show stopper at this museum is the replica of the Egyptian tombs of Nefertari and Sennefer; an original burial chamber inside a pyramid. You will also like the amazing collection of art from various artists.

Arche de la Nature

Arche_de_la_Nature- Le Mans- Wikimedia Commons

Let your visit to Le Mans take a turn towards nature as you visit Arche de la Nature where you can relax. Farmlands, woodlands and nature trails make this park that much more scenic. The farm animals of the Sarthe are the icing on the cake. There is a chance that you will see deer, boar, partridges and pheasants.

If you like nature, Arche de la Nature is a good break away from the museums and architecture that Le Mans has to offer.

Papéa Parc

Papéa Parc – Papéa Express-by Tralala02- Wikimedia Commons

Le Mans sure is determined to show you a good time. The park is spread over 25 hectares with 40 different attractions fit for family as well as those for only children. Depending on the period visited, Papéa Parc shall treat you to roller coaster rides, circus performances with comic acts,  aerobatics and slides among other thrills.

You will find the park open from April to September on weekends, holidays and during school holidays and every day in July and August. A visit here will set you back around 18,50 and 20, 50 euros while infants under 0.95 access the park for free.

While you can enjoy Papéa Parc as an adult, this park is one of the top 10 things to do in Le Mans when traveling especially with a child or children.

Maison de la Reine Bérengère

Le Mans Musee Reine Berengere- by Selbymay- Wikimedia Commons

From Le Mans Cathedral, make your way to Maison de la Reine Bérengère as the two are close to each other. The museum is charming even from the outside- it is housed in three beautiful carved timber-framed houses.

You have to visit Maison de la Reine Bérengère for its elaborate depiction of local history. The museum also hosts a variety of art pieces and exhibitions. The charm of the building and the surroundings of this museum, including its landscaping are worth the trip. The museum is open all year round.

Historic houses

Hôtel_de_Vignolles- by Le Mans- Wikimedia Commons

There’s something about the old buildings of Le Mans. From the architecture, color and choice of items stationed in the little nooks and crannies. Armed with a list of addresses to amazing old houses, take a walk across the city to simply look at the craft put into building houses.

Modern to newer neighborhoods will enchant you as they blend architectural styles ranging from the Neolithic to the modern era. See the large Hôtel de Vignolles on Place Saint-Pierre, with its sharp sloping roof from 1549, the stunning Maison d’Adam et Ève at 69 Grande-Rue, and the 16th-century Maison de la Tourelle, tucked behind the cathedral.

On your walk, you may see Weavers’s neighborhoods, Right bank, the famous “Mancelles” and the Boulevard Haussmann style Levasseur.

Gallo-Roman Walls

The Vestiges of the Gallo- by Pantaleao.alfredo- Wikimedia Commons

The remains of intricate Gallo- Roman Walls are quite amazing to see. These walls were built as buttresses at the end of the third century with a mechanism that is rather unique- They were built up of small limestone blocks and covered with plaster. Some parts of the wall were between 4 and 5 meters thick, made up of limestone, pebble and tuileau rubble, held together by mortar.

Modern-day concept was present even in this era- you can almost pick out the stone blocks reused from previous buildings like funerary monuments to make two doors of the surrounding wall. The Gallo- Roman Walls are beautiful to look at and take photos of.

Le Mans has a rich historical heritage of over 7000 years. It is otherwise known as the City of Art and History. The city’s many museums give a comprehensive picture of the city’s past and its treasures, so do the renaissance-style mansions, churches and houses. Your Le Mans Tour will be quite rewarding.