France – Le Mans (En)
Famous for its 24-hour car race, Le Mans pleasantly surprised us with its combination of modern life and historical heritage. Its old town, with its medieval streets and half-timbered houses, is beautiful, and St. Julian’s Cathedral is a stunning Gothic cathedral.
Where to stay
We stayed at the new Quai Louis Blanc RV park (48.013286, -0.199356 lat, long), which is free unless you need water. It doesn’t have electricity. There is an emptying area for grey and black water. There are only eight spaces, but you can park in the lot next door. We arrived around 9:30 a.m. and grabbed the only space left. During the morning, several spaces became available, but were taken by waiting RVs. Maximum stay is 24 hours. The location is the best thing, as you’re a five-minute walk from the old town and the cathedral. Recommended for visiting this incredible city.
What to see
We walked toward the old town, and in the parking lot next to it, there was a gypsy cart with a very cute horse. You walk along the Gallo-Roman walls and climb the streets until you reach the square where the Cathedral of Saint Julian is located, which we visited free of charge. It is a Gothic cathedral built between the 11th and 15th centuries, combining Roussard stones, limestone, and glass. It has one of the finest collections of medieval stained-glass windows. The celestial concert of 47 musical angels painted on the vaults of the Chapel of the Virgin is a masterpiece of Western Gothic painting. It is worth noting that it is one of the largest in France, measuring 134 meters long and covering an area of 5,000 m².
We then strolled through the medieval streets of the old town, with its beautiful half-timbered houses, until we reached Town Hall Square, a lovely square surrounded by bars and restaurants.
We descend toward the Museum of Archaeology and History, with its square-shaped courtyards where the old town gives way to the modern city. Here, the streets lined with shops, restaurants, and more begin.
We headed back toward the old town, passing under the tunnel that connects the two sections of the city, where we came across more medieval buildings.
We concluded our visit to Le Mans by attending The Night of Chimaeras, a light show that features visual and sound creations projected onto buildings and monuments, including Saint-Julien Cathedral and the Gallo-Roman walls. This free show is held during the summer months of July, August, and September. We saw it on the Gallo-Roman walls next to the area where a display of the city’s history was held.
Our next destination is La Flèche, a colourful and lively little town located on the banks of the Loir River in the Loire Valley, which you can see in the next blog!
