The birthplace of the Plantagenet dynasty, the City of Art and History of Le Mans, the former capital of Maine, has retained a prestigious built heritage from its eventful past. Proof of this is provided by its historical quarter, the Plantagenet city, a harmonious ensemble of nine hectares and a listed protected area, defended by an imposing Roman wall from the end of the 3rd century. The Cathedral of St. Julian, half-Romanesque and half-Gothic; the former palace of the Counts of Maine, where Henry II Plantagenet was born; the paved side streets lined with countless timber-framed houses and Renaissance mansions make it an ideal set for swashbuckling films! Old Le Mans, with its fabulous décor, was in fact used as a set for many historical films, like Cyrano de Bergerac and Le Bossu. It is also an ideal setting for lovers of old buildings, who can travel along its picturesque streets admiring the superb façades to their hearts' content. Houses of particular interest include Queen Berengeria's House, the Two Friends' House and Adam and Eve's House, all three adorned with sculpted details...
The Cathedral of St. Julian, built between the 11th and 15th centuries, is 134 metres long with a surface area of 5,000 m², making it one of the biggest cathedrals in France! Its exceptional Gothic chevet, 12th-century south door, impressive Romanesque nave and 13th-century Gothic chancel make it a splendid example of medieval religious architecture. Cast your eyes upwards and gaze at the magnificent Romanesque windows, including the famous stained glass window of the Ascension, from the early 12th century, as well as the remarkable fresco of the heavenly concert by 47 musician angels, from the late 14th century, painted on the vaults of the Chapel of the Virgin!
Not far from the cathedral, the Museum of Queen Berengeria, based in three beautiful old houses, contains collections of regional art, ethnography and local history.
Also worth a look is the Tessé Museum, located in the old 19th-century bishop's palace and remarkable for its masterpiece, the Plantagenet enamel – an enamelled copper plate from the 12th century - its Egyptian antiques, and its collections of French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch paintings ranging from the 15th to the 20th century.
To relax after your visits, head to the Horticultural Garden, a wonderful park of five hectares created under the Second Empire, consisting of a French-style garden with a rose garden, and an English-style garden with a water feature and hundred-year-old trees.
In July and August, at nightfall, don't miss the Night of the Chimeras (Nuit des Chimères), a magnificent visual and sound show that celebrates the heritage of Old Le Mans!
Other events include the Europa Jazz Festival, in the spring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious long-distance car race in June, and the literary salon, the 25th Hour of the Book, in October, to name but a few.
