The Plantagenet city and its walls
The Plantagenet city of Le Mans owes its name to the counts of Maine, ancestors of the English dynasty. Cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses and narrow passages plunge you into a backdrop used by many film productions. The Roman wall, nearly five hundred metres long, is one of the finest of the ancient West. A date at the foot of these walls always carries something solemn and gentle.
Saint-Julien Cathedral
Perched above the city, Saint-Julien Cathedral blends a Romanesque nave and a Gothic choir in impressive proportion. Its old stained-glass windows, among the finest in France, patiently tell sacred history. Place du Jet d’eau and the staircase down to the Sarthe river offer remarkable viewpoints. An evening date, when the golden stone lights up, takes on an almost novelistic feel.
Place Saint-Pierre and gardens
Place Saint-Pierre, the heart of the old town, hosts its terraces and the town hall in a harmonious ensemble. Nearby, the Botanical Garden alternates lawns, rare species and ponds for a peaceful stroll. On Lyad, locals share their favourite routes; it is up to you to find someone to walk down Rue des Chanoines with as night falls.
Date ideas
- Plantagenet City
- Saint-Julien Cathedral
- Roman walls
- Place Saint-Pierre
- Botanical Garden
- Grabatoire
