The city of Le Mans is known throughout the world for its famous endurance motor race, 24 Heures du Mans, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The race dates back to the 1920s, and is conducted on a city-wide circuit. While the the automobile, its history and the race itself are main features of tourism in Le Mans, the city is actually rich in history, with very well-preserved examples of architecture from several eras.
Situated at the confluence of Huisne and Sarthe rivers, the area has been settled since 5000BC. From Celtic origins to Roman dominance, the city has played an important role in the region as a centre of trade and culture.
The Roman presence in Le Mans can be seen throughout the city and the surrounding area. The city wall, of which 80% is still standing, is considered the best-preserved fortification of the old Roman Empire in the entire region. Another centre of Roman life in Le Mans was the baths, which were razed to make way for the city wall. However, the technical area of the baths remains, which you can see at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts.
Le Mans was the seat of the Plantagenet dynasty, which had strong links to England. In fact, Henry II was born in 1133 at the royal Plantagenet palace. The city has numerous examples of original architecture within the historical, walled city. There are multi-coloured, timber-framed houses dating back to the 14th century, and several exquisite Renaissance mansions dating from the 15th century, notably the Maison d'Adam et Eve and the Maison de la Tourelle.
To get a feel for the history and architecture of Le Mans, take the “Parcours Lumière”, a two hour night time walk through the city, which takes you past the city's monuments, which have been lit as part of a campaign to revive Le Mans' reputation as a City of Light. Another way to see the town is the catch one of the horse-drawn carriages (barouches), which depart from outside the cathedral.
