World-famous for its endurance motor race, Le Mans also hides one of the best-preserved medieval centres in France: the Cité Plantagenêt, ringed by a remarkable Gallo-Roman wall. Here are the sights not to miss.
Looking for things to do in Le Mans, places to visit near Le Mans or an idea for a day out this weekend? Here is a selection of the finest sights to see, all explorable directly on the interactive map.
Open Le Mans on the interactive mapBuilt from the 6th to the 15th century, it blends a Romanesque nave with a Gothic choir and spectacular flying buttresses. Its medieval stained glass ranks among the finest in France, alongside that of Chartres.
See on the map →Cobbled lanes, timber-framed houses and Renaissance townhouses form one of the best-preserved medieval quarters in Europe, encircled by a still-impressive Gallo-Roman wall.
See on the map →Symbol of the Cité Plantagenêt, this medieval house takes its name from the bright red octagonal pillar adorning its street corner.
See on the map →More than 100 historic cars and numerous documents chart a century of the legendary endurance race, from the earliest automobiles to modern prototypes.
See on the map →One of the longest circuits in the world, the stage since 1923 for the most famous automobile endurance race. Some sections remain open to traffic the rest of the year.
See on the map →Founded in 1229 by Queen Berengaria, widow of Richard the Lionheart, this abbey preserves its cloister and abbey church. The queen lies within in a white marble effigy.
See on the map →Housed in the former bishop's palace, this museum brings together European paintings and a remarkable collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a reconstruction of Nefertari's tomb.
See on the map →This former medieval abbey church, often overlooked by visitors in a hurry, reveals a remarkable carved portal and an interior of great simplicity.
See on the map →Find these places and hundreds more — restaurants, places to stay, activities — on the BornToVisit interactive map. Filter by theme, find things to do around you and plan your outing.
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