Often used as a location for films set in the Middle Ages, Le Mans' old city and its picturesque, stone-paved lanes – and tiny vineyard – are surrounded by Gallo-Roman walls and towers (dating from the late 3rd century AD), designed to impress any passing barbarians with the supreme power of the Roman Empire. The impressive 134m-long cathedral mixes Romanesque and Gothic elements. Steep stairways link the old city with the Sarthe River.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.66 MILES
At the base of a soaring allegorical sculpture (1920) by Paul Landowski – who later designed Rio de Janiero's Christ the Redeemer monument – a plaque…
-
0.06 MILES
Built from the 11th to the 15th century, this vast cathedral juxtaposes a Romanesque nave with later Gothic elements. The stained glass dates as far back…
-
3.67 MILES
About 50 Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars are the star attraction at this automobile museum, whose oldest vehicles include a De Dion-Bouton (1885) and a…
Nearby The Loire Valley attractions
1. Cathédrale St-Julien du Mans
0.06 MILES
Built from the 11th to the 15th century, this vast cathedral juxtaposes a Romanesque nave with later Gothic elements. The stained glass dates as far back…
0.66 MILES
At the base of a soaring allegorical sculpture (1920) by Paul Landowski – who later designed Rio de Janiero's Christ the Redeemer monument – a plaque…
3.67 MILES
About 50 Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars are the star attraction at this automobile museum, whose oldest vehicles include a De Dion-Bouton (1885) and a…