This historic French city draws racing fans to its famous 24-hour auto race each June. Its medieval old town and three museums tell stories beyond motorsports.
Le Mans, in northwestern France, has 500-meter Roman walls with pink mortar still intact from the 3rd century. You can walk through the Cité Plantagenêt's streets lined with more than 100 timber-framed medieval houses, visit the 134-meter Cathedral of Saint-Julian with its 13th-century stained glass, or watch race cars speed through the Circuit de la Sarthe. Local restaurants serve the city's signature rillettes - slow-cooked pork pâté spread on fresh bread.
The Medieval Quarter (Cité Plantagenêt)
The Cité Plantagenêt rises above the modern city center, surrounded by 3rd-century Roman walls built with distinctive pink mortar. More than 100 medieval buildings line the streets, including the Maison du Pilier Rouge, a 16th-century house with its characteristic red wooden frame. Along Rue de la Reine Bérengère and Grande Rue, you'll see stone houses with sculptures of merchants, saints, and animals. The narrow lanes contain well-preserved half-timbered buildings with traditional slate roofs.
Cathedral of Saint-Julian
You'll find the Cathedral at the old town's highest point, built between the 11th and 15th centuries. Inside, 13th-century stained glass windows tell biblical stories and depict local historical events. The cathedral stretches 134 meters in length, with a Romanesque nave leading to a Gothic choir and transept. Two Renaissance-era tombs lie within, decorated with intricate marble work.
Racing at Circuit de la Sarthe
Each June, more than 250,000 people attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans race at Circuit de la Sarthe. The 13.6-kilometer track includes both dedicated racing sections and public roads that close during race events. Visit the 24 Hours Museum beside the circuit to see over 100 racing cars, ranging from the original 1923 race participants to contemporary racing vehicles.
Getting Around Le Mans
Trams run every 8-10 minutes connecting the old town, racing circuit, and main station. A €1.50 ticket gives you one hour of travel on both trams and buses. From Paris, TGV trains reach Le Mans in one hour, and regular trains connect to Lille, Marseille, Nantes, and Rennes from Gare du Mans.
Summer Evening Light Shows
During July and August, the Nuit des Chimères brings the medieval quarter to life after dark. Projected lights create moving images on more than 20 historic buildings, walls, and trees. The displays tell stories from the city's past and show important local figures, with the Roman walls and cathedral serving as projection surfaces.
Food and Wine
Around Place de la République and Rue de la Vieille Rome, restaurants prepare rillettes by slow-cooking pork for 6-8 hours until tender, then serving it spread on local bread. The surrounding Sarthe region grows Chenin Blanc grapes for Jasnières wines, continuing a tradition started by Cistercian monks in medieval times.
