Nestled in the heart of the Pays de la Loire region, the town of Le Mans (France) is a destination well worth exploring ! Famous worldwide for its legendary 24-hour race, Le Mans is much more than just a motoring event!
With its medieval streets, cathedral, museums and creative street art scene, Le Mans offers a wealth of activities and places to visit.
So what can you do in Le Mans? What are the not-to-be-missed sights and good addresses ? Follow the guide!
This article was produced in collaboration with Sarthe Tourisme. However, I reserve the right to make my own comments, so the opinions expressed here are entirely sincere.
Le Mans in brief
How do I get there?
Le Mans is extremely well served:
- By train: the TGV connects Paris-Montparnasse to Le Mans in just 55 minutes. There are also links to Lyon, Nantes, Rennes and Lille.
- By car: the town is located at the junction of the A11 (Paris-Nantes) and the A28 (Rouen-Tours), making it easily accessible by car.
- By bus: a number of companies offer low-cost journeys from major French cities.
When to go ?
The best time to discover Le Mans is from May to September. The weather is mild and pleasant, perfect for outdoor strolls. In June, the town vibrates to the rhythm of the 24 Heures du Mans, an event that is both sporting and festive. In July-August, enjoy ” La Nuit des Chimères “, a trail of light projections on the city’s historic monuments. December is also a pleasant time with the festive atmosphere.
Who is it for?
Le Mans is an ideal destination for :
- Families: fun routes, interactive museums, parks and cultural events throughout the year.
- History buffs: with the Plantagenet City and its many historic monuments.
- Art lovers: free museums, street art, galleries and contemporary art festivals await you
How long to stay?
A weekend of 2 days is ideal for exploring the city’s landmarks. For a complete immersion including the surrounding area, allow 4 to 5 days.
What to do in Le Mans Visits not to be missed
The Plantagenet City
The Cité Plantagenêt is the historic heart of the town. With its many cobbled streets, its hundred or so timber-framed houses, its ramparts and its cathedral, the Plantagenet City plunges you into the heart of the Middle Ages. During your visit, don’t miss :
- The Cathédrale Saint-Julien: imposing and majestic, it blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. Inside, you can admire the oldest stained glass window still in place in a religious building in France, dating from the XIth century.
- The Roman enclosure: originally 1,300 metres long, today 500 metres of it remain, particularly well preserved and decorated with geometric patterns unique in Europe.
- The cobbled streets: take the time to lose yourself in this ” vieux Mans “, it’s a very pleasant visit.
The Tessé Museum
This is the musée des Beaux Arts du Mans whose painting collections range from the XIVth century to the present day. The museum’s basement also features Egyptian antiquities, including a reconstruction of the tomb of Nefertari, the wife of Ramses II.
The museum also offers original activities such as yoga and olfactory guided tours. It’s a fun and original way to take a fresh look – with all your senses! – at works of art.
2 avenue de Paderborn
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm
Free admission, only entertainment is chargeable
https://www.lemans.fr/
Tip: in Le Mans, the city’s museums are free!
Keep your wallet in your pocket! In Le Mans, the city’s museums are free for everyone. Only guided tours and events are subject to a charge.
The Royal Abbey of Épau
I really fell in love with this abbey ! Founded in 1230 by Bérengère de Navare, the Abbaye Royale de l’Épau is a superb example of Cistercian architecture, with an abbey church, cloister and conventual buildings. The abbey is also surrounded by 13 hectares of parkland, including a permacultural garden.
During your visit, don’t forget to pay your respects to the recumbent statue of Queen Berengaria in the abbey church!
Who was Bérengère de Navarre?
Born around 1163, Queen Berengaria was the wife of Richard the Lionheart. After his death, she refused to remarry and settled in Le Mans, the Plantagenet capital. After receiving the lands of Epau, south of Le Mans, from Louis IX, she had the abbey built there. She died in 1230 at the age of 67, while the abbey was still under construction.
Route de Changé, Yvré-l’Evêque
Times vary depending on the season, consult the abbey website
€7, €5 for under-18s, free for under-10s
https://epau.sarthe.fr/
Street art
Le Mans is a city with a great reputation for street art. Every first weekend in July, since 2019, the festival Plein Champ brings together street artists to create works in front of the public that are then presented on mobile structures in all the districts.
The festival is also an opportunity to commission monumental permanent frescoes to adorn the city’s walls over the years. To date, there are around fifty to be discovered all over Le Mans, created by renowned artists such as Seth, Wen2 & François Schuiten, Pedro, Mojito Fraise, C215 and many others….
Street art events not to be missed!
The 7the edition of the Plein Champ festival will take place from 4 to 6 July 2025 in the Parc du Gué-de-Maulny. On the programme : creation of new works by Stom500, Slim Safont, Veks Van Hillik…, concerts but also workshops, foodtruck and a Pride March to conclude the event.
Right in the heart of the town in the Collégiale Saint-Pierre-La-Cour, also discover the exhibition “L’art dans a rue, 60 ans d’art urbain ” with original works by Banksy, Invader, Swoon, Shepard Fairey… To be seen free of charge until September 7.
The Fonds International d’Art Actuel
Head for the Visitation district to visit the FIAA – Fonds International d’Art Actuel. Founded in 2020 by Lucien Ruimy, who has amassed a wealth of works by regional, national and international artists over the years, the FIAA continues to add to its collections with new acquisitions.
Every 3 months, the FIAA presents exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art and regularly organises workshops for children.
La Visitation, 1 rue Gambetta
Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm
€5, €3 for under-18s, free for under-7s
https://www.fiaa-lemans.com/
Good places to eat in Le Mans
Where to eat?
There are plenty of good places to eat in Le Mans ! For a special occasion, I recommend Le Grenier à Sel, a gastronomic establishment located in the city centre that offers top-flight cuisine !
26 place de l’Eperon
Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 1.30pm and 7.30pm to 9.30pm
https://www.restaurant-le-grenier-a-sel.fr/
If you’re going to visit the Abbaye Royale de l’Epau, I highly recommend lunch at the Café des Moines located in the heart of the abbey, which serves seasonal cuisine made with the abbey’s vegetables in particular. Please note : places are limited, so booking is strongly advised.
Abbaye Royale de l’Epau, Route de Changé, Yvré-l’Evêque
Wednesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 6pm
https://epau.sarthe.fr/le-cafe-des-moines
Where to stay?
I recommend that you stay in the centre of Le Mans, as this will allow you to do most of your sightseeing on foot and take full advantage of the city’s atmosphere.
For a good location that’s also quiet, I recommend Demeure Jousset des Berries, which has 4 flats in an 18th-century property with terraces and a garden, as well as a kitchen, so you don’t have to go out to eat all the time.
Le Mans also has a wide range of hotels, so don’t hesitate to enter the dates of your stay below to see the establishments available and their prices:
Affiliated link
Interactive map
This map shows all the addresses mentioned in this article:
Enjoy your trip to Le Mans!
Article produced in collaboration with Sarthe Tourisme
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