Home EuropeVisiting Le Mans and its surroundings

Visiting Le Mans and its surroundings

by Melle Bon Plan
Published: Updated:

Le Mans is located in the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region. It’s a city where you can take your time to live and build connections with your neighbors. Historically, this territory produced a lot of iron and was the scene of a very significant industrial boom in the 19th century. Today, the city is best known for its legendary race, which is actually celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023: the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1923-2023). Le Mans is also called the “red city” because of the grès roussard, a pink/rust-colored ferruginous sandstone found in the region, with quarries that were used for the construction of several monuments in the city. As for us, we went to discover the city with our favorite photographer in April 2023 (even though I personally had already visited once on my own in 2021). We also passed through again in 2024 during our exploration of the Rivières de l’Ouest.

Geographically, the landscape of this region is hilly and varies quickly with an abundance of forests, making the Sarthe the most wooded department in the Pays de la Loire region, with many national forests. Among the local specialties, there is notably the production of the famous Maine terracotta statuary, “Ma Licorne”.

Gallo-Roman tower in Le Mans with a woman sitting near the historic enclosure.

Practical Info:

  • Getting there by train: to travel to Le Mans from Paris, you just need to take the train from Gare Montparnasse and the journey takes only about an hour.

What to see, what to do in Le Mans?

Built on a hill, the city of Le Mans is of Roman origin, although traces of an oppidum are likely, but not certain. The Gallo-Roman enclosure of the city, built in the first third of the 4th century AD, is a unique monument in Europe due to its state of conservation and constitutes one of the city’s emblems. Le Mans is also the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and possesses a rich historical heritage. It is also a city labeled “City of Art and History”. Don’t miss visiting the old town, as well as the cathedral, which I mention below.

More contemporarily, while strolling through the city, you will also be able to see the many street art works that decorate it, with creations by street artists who came from all over France! And every year in July, the city also hosts a circus arts festival. Le Mans also offers free media libraries for lovers of reading and culture. Don’t hesitate to visit them during your stay to enjoy a moment of relaxation and discovery.

Below, as usual, I offer a small selection of things to do and see if you come for a stay in Le Mans. This selection contains visits accessible by public transport and for which it is not necessary to have a car. Indeed, once you are there, the city is full of numerous activities and sites to visit within the walls.

Getting around Le Mans: you can take the tram which serves the city and its surroundings very well.

The cultural tip: since January 1st, 2021, the museums of Le Mans are free, including temporary exhibitions and audio guides; only events remain chargeable.

Colorful half-timbered houses in the old town of Le Mans.

Pays du Mans Tourist Office

Maison du Pilier-Rouge

41/43 Grande Rue 72000 Le Mans

the tip: the free Guigigo application to visit the Cité Plantagenêt

link to the tourist office website

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Visiting the old town of Le Mans

The old town of Le Mans covers 10 hectares of protected area. The tip for fully enjoying this visit if you have a vehicle is to park your car in one of the free parking lots located at the foot of the old town. Don’t hesitate to then walk through the streets of Le Mans to discover the Cité Plantagenêt with its medieval hotels and half-timbered houses with their corbels. It’s truly a neighborhood with a lot of charm and I recommend wandering around and getting lost in its narrow streets during a nice day (we did it in the rain and it was a little more complicated…). You must notably go see the Maison du Pilier-Rouge which dates from the 16th century and was restored between 2005 and 2007.

Don’t miss the Hanging House (Maison suspendue) either, behind the window of which a teddy bear is watching you… In fact, this teddy bear is a nod from the current owners to the photograph taken by Robert Doisneau in 1962, showing a little girl playing with her teddy bear in front of this very same hanging house.

Old town of Le Mans, cobbled street, half-timbered houses and Le Chaudron de Salem shop.

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Visiting the Saint-Julien Cathedral

Don’t miss visiting the heart of the old town, the Saint-Julien Cathedral in Le Mans, enriched by the Plantagenets and the Valois. Admire the 12th-century stained glass windows, created by seven different workshops, which testify to the artistic importance of the city at that time. The 12th-century Romanesque cathedral is built just behind the Roman wall. Also, don’t miss the polychrome terracotta statues from the 16th and 17th centuries, typical of the Maine region, the 12th-century stained glass windows near the choir of the church, as well as the painted decorations on the vaults of the Lady Chapel. The cathedral also houses an organ dating from the beginning of the 16th century.

Saint-Julien Cathedral of Le Mans, exterior view in gray weather, Nicolas Diolez 2023.
Gothic interior of the Saint-Julien Cathedral in Le Mans, stained glass and columns.

Saint-Julien Cathedral of Le Mans

2 Place Saint Michel, 72000 Le Mans

free and self-guided tour during the cathedral’s opening hours

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Strolling along the Gallo-Roman wall

The ancient enclosure of the city, built in the first third of the 4th century AD, is distinguished by its ostentatious decoration, composed of friezes with geometric patterns in white limestone, brick, and local red stone, called “roussard” which I mentioned in the introduction. You cannot come to Le Mans without seeing this ancient Gallo-Roman rampart, which is certainly the best-preserved in France. This enclosure is a truly unique monument in Europe due to its state of conservation. It is also the best-preserved defensive wall in the entire Roman Empire, along with the walls of Rome and Constantinople (yes, nothing less!).

Tower and Gallo-Roman enclosure of Le Mans, with houses in the background.

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Visiting the Jean-Claude Boulard Museum, Carré Plantagenêt, archaeology and history museum

Located in the heart of the city of Le Mans, at the junction between the Cité Plantagenêt and the modern city, is the city’s archaeology and history museum. It is housed in the former buildings of the Monnoyer printing house. The museum presents the history of the Sarthe region from prehistory to the end of the Middle Ages, through an educational path punctuated by models, reconstructions, archaeology books, and interactive kiosks.

During our visit, we saw the temporary exhibition “At the foot of the wall” (which ended on May 14, 2023), which highlighted all the secrets of the Roman wall of Le Mans. It’s a shame, by the way, that this exhibition was only temporary, because I think the subject would deserve a room in the permanent exhibition.

Entrance to the Jean-Claude Boulard Carré Plantagenêt Museum in Le Mans.

Jean-Claude Boulard Museum, Carré Plantagenêt, archaeology and history museum

2, rue Claude-Blondeau, 72000 Le Mans

open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am-12:30 pm and 2 pm-6 pm

free admission for everyone

Guided tour rates: 6 € / 4 € reduced / free for under 18s, students, job seekers, and social minimum beneficiaries

link to the museum’s website

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Visiting the Tessé Museum

The Tessé Museum is the fine arts museum of Le Mans. It houses a collection of paintings, sculptures from the 14th to the 20th century, and Egyptian art objects. Located in a 19th-century building, the former seat of the bishop of Le Mans, built in 1848 on the site of the Tessé family mansion, it became a museum in 1927. The museum owes its name to the Marshal of Tessé.

It notably presents two life-size copies of Egyptian tombs made by Kodak-Pathé in the 70s and 80s: the tomb of Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II, and that of Sennefer, governor of Thebes. The space dedicated to these tombs opened in 2001 and the tomb of Nefertari is the only existing copy in the world outside the original tomb which is in Egypt (there is another copy of the tomb of Sennefer in Germany). The museum also owns a collection of archaeological objects related to Egyptian funerary rituals, with 50 objects deposited by the Louvre Museum since 2018 and 350 objects in its own collections. The fine arts collections also include magnificent Italian primitives, terracotta sculptures from the Maine region, and 17th-century paintings.

Around the museum, you’ll find the Tessé park, an English-style garden that replaced the French-style garden of Maréchal Tessé in the 19th century. It is now listed as a historical monument and features a monumental work by Jean-Bernard Métais.

Interior of the Musée Tessé in Le Mans with reconstructions of Egyptian wall paintings.
Vanity: skull, tulip, and hourglass, artwork on display at the Musée Tessé, Le Mans.

Musée Tessé

2 avenue de Paderborn, Le Mans

open Tuesday to Sunday

free admission for everyone

Link to the museum’s website

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Visit the Roman baths

These 3rd-century baths were a center of daily life and the art of living for the Gallo-Romans. This archaeological crypt now houses the technical areas of these ancient baths. You can notably discover the route bathers took back in the day.

Roman baths

28 avenue de Rostov-sur-le-Don

visit by reservation only at the Maison du Pilier-Rouge as part of guided tours (3 € / duration 45 minutes)

free admission in summer

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Take a tour of the La Visitation site

This former convent was recently renovated into a trendy living space with shops and restaurants and is located right next to the Place de la République. In the “great addresses” section of the article, below, I suggest you discover two restaurant addresses that we tested there. The site also includes a 4-star hotel, Leprince Hôtel & Spa, and a contemporary art center.

Inner courtyard of La Visitation in Le Mans with terraces and classical architecture.

La Visitation

1 Rue Gambetta, 72000 Le Mans

link to the venue’s website

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Visit the Distillerie du Sonneur (closed)

The Distillerie du Sonneur gets its name from the fire-bellied toad, an endangered animal in the region and a symbol of the brand’s commitment. The distillery’s organic orchard farm, the vergers Ségrie, is located 30 km from Le Mans. The orchards, from which the fruits used in the spirits come, practice agroforestry on a 5-hectare area. The fruits are harvested at full maturity to be rich in aromas: medlar, giroufle pear (a forgotten local variety), Sichuan pepper, white raspberry, giant Boskoop blackcurrant, and mullein flower.

The distillery opened its doors 4 years ago and has a boutique in Le Mans. Its ecological commitment is reflected in particular by its investment in ancient and local fruit varieties, grown organically. The Distillerie du Sonneur is also concerned about waste management, reusing fruits after distillation in compost and rillettes (used for the Rillettes brandy) by local butchers.

At its Le Mans site, the distillery offers exciting guided tours all year round (by reservation) to discover the secrets of its production. You can see the still and learn how the distillery’s creations are made. The visit ends with a commented tasting. And of course, you can also take the opportunity to buy some creations on-site at the distillery shop: brandies and infused brandies, liqueurs, spirits, aperitifs and cocktail bases, and local products.

Facade of the Distillerie du Sonneur in Le Mans.

La Distillerie du Sonneur (2026 update: permanently closed)

2 addresses: 7 rue du Vert Galant, 72000 Le Mans

Vergers Ségrie, 30 km from Le Mans

Guided tours: every Saturday of the year at 3 PM and 5 PM and from Tuesday to Saturday at 3 PM from June to September and during school holidays (duration between 1h15 and 2h)

Tour prices:

  • The Initiation (guided tour + tasting of 2 distillery creations): 6 € / 2€ under 18s / free under 10s
  • The Equilibrium (guided tour + tasting of 5 distillery creations + local appetizers): 18 € / 13€ under 18s / free under 10s

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Visit the 24h of Le Mans circuit

This is one of the city visits we didn’t have the opportunity to do during our stay (we just passed by quickly), but if you are a car and/or motor racing enthusiast, it is obviously a must-see in Le Mans.

Woman in front of the entrance to the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.

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Take a walk in the Arche de la Nature

The Arche de la Nature is a natural area spanning more than 450 hectares, featuring a series of landscapes and ecosystems typical of the former province of Maine, of which Le Mans was the capital: hedgerows, floodplains, forests, moors, and meadows. You will also find interpretive centers there: the Maison de l’eau (Water House), the Maison de la prairie (Meadow House – a conservation farm with regional breeds of animals at risk of extinction, such as the Le Mans hen or the Blue Sheep of Maine), and the Maison de la forêt (Forest House) with exhibits on the local fauna and flora (fee required). Open all year round, the Arche de la Nature also offers accommodation and is easily accessible by tram in 10 minutes from the Le Mans train station. Numerous hiking trails await you to explore this lovely site.

For our part, we rented bikes from Vel’Nature (rental rates: €6 per hour, €9 for 2 hours, and €13 for a half-day) near the Maison de l’eau, in order to get around the Arche de la Nature more quickly, and I think it was a wonderful way to discover this space.

Two women cycling on a dirt path in the Arche de la Nature in Le Mans.

Arche de la Nature

Practical info: accessible via tram T2, stop Espal-Arche de la Nature

open every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM from April to October and from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM from November to March

link to the website of this natural area

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Take a trip to the Librairie Bulle bookstore!

This iconic comic book shop in Le Mans is worth a visit for its architecture and decoration. And obviously, if you are a fan of comic books and manga, you will definitely find what you’re looking for. The establishment has even opened a second location not far from the first, Espace Bis, where you’ll find more goodies and posters from the world of comic books.

Librairie Bulle

13 Rue de la Barillerie, 72000 Le Mans

link to the bookstore’s website


What to see and do in the surroundings of Le Mans?

If you have a vehicle, I suggest below some ideas for visits to do in the immediate surroundings of Le Mans. Some of these visit and discovery ideas are very close to Le Mans and are accessible by public transport (notably by tram), while others are further away in the Sarthe department and require a car.

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Visit the Royal Abbey of Epau

The Domaine de l’Epau is an ideal place to recharge your batteries, with recently launched eco-lodges. This estate is also the site of the Royal Abbey of Epau, founded in 1229 by Queen Berengaria of Navarre, widow of Richard the Lionheart (son of Eleanor of Aquitaine), and which hosted Cistercian monks until the French Revolution. After the death of her husband, she inherited Maine. The queen sadly died in 1230 and did not see the completion of her work. The Cistercian abbey was subsequently heavily modified over the centuries and suffered damage during the Hundred Years’ War. Only one room still dates back to the time of its construction: the scriptorium, which is made of Bernay stone (a nearby village) and has a very austere architecture. The abbey’s cloister is open and provides access to the monastic buildings.

The site now belongs to the Sarthe Departmental Council, which bought it in 1959. After a major restoration campaign, the Abbey of Epau is a major historical site where you can admire the effigy of Queen Berengaria and a large dormitory with chestnut wood carpentry. In the summer, don’t miss the cinema screenings and electronic concerts organized in the enchanting setting of the abbey. Around the abbey, you can also discover the park, which has an area dedicated to permaculture.

Exterior of the Abbey of l'Epau in Le Mans with courtyard and cloister.
Cloister of the Abbey of l'Epau in Le Mans, view through a Romanesque arcade.
Sculpted tomb of a woman in the Abbey of l'Epau in Le Mans.

Royal Abbey of Epau

Route de Changé, 72530 Yvré-L’Evêque

Rates: €5.50 / €4 reduced / €3 children from 10 to 17 years old / free for under 10s

Practical info: accessible via tram T2, stop Epau-Bernisson (13 minutes from Le Mans train station)

link to the abbey’s website

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Visit the village of Sillé-le-Guillaume

This small town of character in the Sarthe (located northwest of Le Mans) is the holiday destination for locals from Le Mans, and its name comes from the local lords who once ruled there. It is situated within the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park and offers a preserved landscape. There is a large lake with a sailing center, Coco Plage (a popular relaxation spot in the region), numerous campsites, as well as a state forest that houses a Huttopia (nature accommodation). As for walks, I recommend the Balade du Saut du Cerf with its rocky promontory, or the Balade du Lac, which loops around the water for 4km.

Château de Sillé-le-Guillaume with a person walking toward the medieval enclosure.
Person on a wooden pontoon by the lake near Le Mans, under a cloudy sky.

Champagne Conlinoise and Pays de Sillé Tourist Office

Place de la Résistance, 72140 Sillé-le-Guillaume

link to the office website

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Visiting the Château de Sillé

The medieval Château de Sillé (which unfortunately cannot be visited all year round) was a defensive fortress on the border of Maine. The original castle dates back to the 11th century, but it was rebuilt and expanded several times between the 15th and 19th centuries. You can explore it on a self-guided tour and admire a beautiful 17th-century main building, a powder tower, a combat tower, and the Tour de Pressigny. The latter hosts a small permanent exhibition on the painter Arsène-Marie Le Feuvre (a native of Sillé-le-Guillaume), who is known for being the father of the chubby-cheeked “Bébé Cadum” baby, which he created in 1912 for the brand.

Summer program: activities for families with costumed tours; night tours (2 dates per month); medieval events (free); creative workshops for children; treasure hunts every Thursday; almost daily activities in the summer; art exhibition series featuring local artists.

Château de Sillé-le-Guillaume with round tower and blue sky.

Château de Sillé

Place des minimes 72140 Sillé-le-Guillaume

open from April to September (extended hours in July-August)

Prices: 4 € / reduced 2 € / free for under 5s

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Visiting the Sillé Collegiate Church

If you are passing through the village, don’t miss a visit to the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Sillé, which was the seigneurial chapel located in the lower courtyard of the castle. It features beautiful 19th-century stained glass windows, dating from a period of renewed Catholic faith and a revival of the art of stained glass in Le Mans and the Maine region. The creator of these windows is M. Hucher, who had bought the Carmel workshop in Le Mans. Also, be sure not to miss the Romanesque crypt, which belonged to the very first chapel.

Collégiale Notre-Dame de Sillé

free and open access visit

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Visiting the keep and gardens of the Château de Ballon

Bought by the current owners in the 50s, this privately owned castle can be explored through guided tours during the summer season. During the months of May and June, you can visit the magnificent gardens, which feature a beautiful rose garden; this is actually the best time to enjoy the site according to what I’ve been told (as we personally saw it a bit off-season, since we were there in April).

The castle, built on a motte-and-bailey, was one of the last fortifications before Le Mans, at the gates of the Maine. You can also visit the interior of the castle, which showcases 16th and 17th-century furniture, during the months of July and August. However, as photography is prohibited inside the castle, I won’t be able to show you what it looks like…

Château de Ballon: entrance door and main building in the background.

Le Château de Ballon

72290 Ballon-Saint-Mars

open between May and mid-August

Prices: 8 € Keep + Gardens (5 € for children) / 6 € Gardens only (3 € for children)

link to the castle website

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Visiting the Carnuta interpretation center of the Bercé forest:

In the village of Jupilles, take a trip to Carnuta, an interpretation center for the Bercé Forest. You will find a fun temporary exhibition on insects, as well as a space dedicated to the Bercé Forest on the first floor with a permanent exhibition. The scenography is very well done, playful and interactive, and will be suitable for all ages. Visiting this space also helps you plan your future forest outings! You can discover the local flora and fauna, forestry, and forest-related professions.

Interior of the Maison de la Forêt exhibition, Le Mans: wooden displays, interactive screens, old tools.

Carnuta

Maison de l’Homme et de la forêt

2 rue du Bourg Ancien 72500 Jupilles

Rates: €6 / reduced €3.50 / free for under 7s

link to the Carnuta website

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Go for a hike in the Bercé Forest

For nature lovers, a hike in the Bercé Forest (certified as a “Forêt d’Exception” since 2017) is a must. It is located south of Le Mans in the Loir Valley region. Take the nature trail to discover the riches of this forest. Stop by the Fontaine de l’Ermitière and the Fontaine de la Coudre, two iconic spots in the Bercé Forest. A beautiful way to recharge your batteries and fully enjoy the surrounding nature.

Arche de la Nature forest in Le Mans with bare trees and spring foliage.

Bercé Forest

Pays de la Loire


My top recommendations in Le Mans

As usual, below you will find my selection of great addresses in Le Mans (one accommodation and several restaurants, bars, shops) that we had the opportunity to test during our stay with the favorite photographer. These addresses often offer the chance to discover local products and some regional specialties to taste if you come to the region. Le Mans is also a city where you can enjoy delicious local specialties. You can find restaurants in the city that participate in the Charte Qualité Proximité, which guarantees the quality of the products and dishes served.

Good to know: the city market is held on Sunday morning at the foot of the cathedral and it is the ideal place to stock up on local products (we notably bought fresh rillettes in a jar at the Berthier butcher shop stand and they were delicious)!

Specialties: the Rillettes du Mans, made with pork, salt, and pepper, are a must-try; the region also produces cider and apples, as well as goat cheeses (at the Ferme du Chêne Beunard stand from Voivres-Lès-Le Mans at the Le Mans market); south of Le Mans, you can find wine, while in the north, cider is the star.

Le Mans market with fresh produce stalls and old buildings in the background.

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A good chocolatier in Le Mans? Chocolaterie Bellanger

If you are looking for a good chocolatier in Le Mans, I recommend the Chocolaterie Bellanger. This family business from Le Mans has existed since 1982 and offers delicious chocolates that I had the opportunity to discover and taste in 2021, because a friend who lives in Le Mans gave them to me for my birthday. That’s how I discovered this lovely address.

Facade of the Bellanger chocolate and pastry shop on a street in Le Mans.

Chocolaterie Bellanger

2 rue de l’Etoile, 72000 Le Mans

link to the chocolatier’s website

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Where to have a drink and an aperitif in Le Mans? Le Lapin Blanc

For 5 years, Le Lapin Blanc has been a must-visit place in Le Mans for sharing boards and enjoying creative cocktails (€8.50), including the Smoky’s, cocktails made with smoke bubbles (very visually appealing). The bar has two floors as well as a terrace in front of the establishment. The decor is trendy, even a bit street-art, and the place is full of rooms and nooks that are a bit hidden, with different atmospheres. A very nice place to go out for a drink and meet up with friends.

Tested in 2023

Le Lapin Blanc

5-7 Rue Dorée, 72000 Le Mans

link to the address’s Facebook page

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Where to have an iodized aperitif in Le Mans? Bar Bistro Beluga

This address, located in the heart of La Visitation (a convent converted into a trendy living space, which is located right next to the Place de la République and which I mentioned earlier in the “What to see, what to do in Le Mans?” section), offers seafood, fish, and shellfish, accompanied by a glass of wine or a cocktail (between €8 and €14). This iodized bar-bistro is perfect for an aperitif with tasty iodized appetizer boards, but not only that…

We tested the Croque O d’Ile sharing platter, with a mix of land and sea products (€27). Something pretty nice is that the establishment has several outdoor terraces, including one that can be covered and heated for the winter season.

Tested in 2023

Bar Bistro Beluga

Là Visitation, 1 Rue Gambetta, 72100 Le Mans

link to the venue’s website

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Where to have lunch in Le Mans? At Popote & Papilles

This friendly spot, which has been around since 2014, offers traditional bistro cuisine made with homemade products, and it’s quite a success. The establishment also offers a lovely selection of local wines (with a wide selection of wines by the glass, which is quite rare) and local beers too. And finally, the service is very friendly, which never hurts! A great place for lunch in Le Mans, I think.

To taste: leeks vinaigrette with egg mimosa and smoked pollock; warm goat cheese crottin with honey and walnuts; trout steak with risotto, asparagus, and beurre blanc; beef cut “la rouelle de veau” on the plancha with homemade french fries and chimichurri sauce; coffee tiramisu in a salad bowl.

Open kitchen of the Popote et Papilles restaurant in Le Mans, chefs at work.
Popote & Papilles restaurant on Rue d'Alger in Le Mans.
Tested in 2023 and 2024

Popote & Papilles

24 Rue du Docteur Leroy, 72000 Le Mans

Price: starters between €5.50 and €9.50 / mains between €16.50 and €21.90 / desserts between €7 and €9 / bottled beers between €6 and €6.50 / wines by the glass between €5.50 and €8.50

The good deal: bistro formula at €19.50 (lunch only from Tuesday to Friday) with starter/main or main/dessert + a drink / “menu popote” in the evening with starter + main or main + dessert at €29.90 and starter + main + dessert for €39.90

link to the restaurant’s website

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Where to eat Italian in Le Mans? At Liberta Le Mans

This restaurant, which offers Italian/Corsican cuisine, is located in the former refectory of the sisters of Là Visitation (a convent rehabilitated into a trendy living space, which is located right next to the Place de la République and which I mentioned earlier in the “What to see, what to do in Le Mans?” section). On the menu: wood-fired pizzas, a burrata di bufala and ciccio (a white pizza dough baked in a wood-fired oven), pasta, risottos, and Italian-style dolci.

Modern Le Mans restaurant with plant decorations and hanging lights.
Tested in 2023 and 2024

Libertà Le Mans

Là Visitation, 1 Rue Gambetta, 72100 Le Mans

Price: antipasti between €6 and €19 / pizzas between €12 and €22 / pasta and risotto between €17 and €24 / desserts between €6 and €11

The good deal: lunch formula from Monday to Friday with starter + main or main + dessert at €19.90 / starter + main + dessert at €24.90 / “pizza express” lunch formula from Monday to Friday with pizza of the moment + dessert of the day + drink at €17.90

link to the restaurant’s website

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Where to eat roasted meat in Le Mans? At La Rôtisserie 72

This address, located at the gates of the city of Le Mans and a few meters from the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, specializes in roasted meats. It also makes its own Rillettes du Mans (€9.90 per jar) and works with local producers, whom it highlights even in its restrooms (you have to go to understand). The restaurant’s kitchens are open to the large dining room where you can see chef Samuel Leymonnerie and his team at work.

To taste: a local La Velue beer by the Saint Mars La Bière brewery (€6.40 per bottle); as a starter to share, the chef’s mimosa eggs (€7.90); the roaster’s plate with Label Rouge free-range chicken, pork ribs, and a piece of beef (€23.50); for dessert, the house’s enormous floating island (€8.50).

Tested in 2023

La rôtisserie 72

738 boulevard des, Les Hunaudières, 72230 Ruaudin

The good deal: the Pouic-Pouic formula at €19.80 with starter + main or main + dessert (lunch and dinner)

link to the restaurant’s website

Where to eat in Saint Jean d’Assé? La Petite Auberge

Renowned for its good cuisine and affordable prices, La Petite Auberge, which is located in the near vicinity of Le Mans, is often full, so remember to book in advance. The dishes are hearty and adapted to all appetites. The dining room was recently renovated in an industrial/workshop style which has given a youthful boost to the address. For 26 years, La Petite Auberge has favored short supply chains by working with local producers.

To try: the Sarthe flavors plate with a Sarthoise quiche, a breaded blood sausage croquette, and a smoked pork tenderloin; the pork tenderloin mille-feuille; the rosemary-confit veal chuck; a local white wine, Jasnières; and Sarthois cake for dessert.

Interior of La Petite Auberge in Le Mans, with a wooden bar and green velvet stools.
Facade of La Petite Auberge with a pink planter and pink sign.
Tested in 2023

La Petite Auberge

Saint Jean d’Assé

Price: menu at 26 € on weekdays with starter + main course + cheese or dessert / chef’s “carte blanche” menu at 35 € with starter + main course + cheese + dessert

The hot tip: express lunch menu from Tuesday to Friday at 17 € with dish of the day or fish of the day + dessert of the day

link to the La Petite Auberge website


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Boutique hotel 9Wagram

9 rue Wagram 72000 Le Mans

Link to the hotel website

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A bed and breakfast in Le Mans? Au Manoir d’Auvray

The Manoir d’Auvray is a magnificent 19th-century house (built in 1802, to be precise), located right in the heart of the city of Le Mans. This establishment has 5 guest rooms on the top floor of the house. Adolphe, the host, is very welcoming, and the mascot Mistinguette, a bulldog, is adorable and particularly endearing. The Manoir d’Auvray is an excellent option for staying in Le Mans and enjoying everything the city and its surroundings have to offer, as it is located just a 5-minute walk from the TGV station.

You can also enjoy the magnificent hidden garden of the Manoir, which has a very romantic style. Breakfast is served in the living room when the weather doesn’t allow for it to be enjoyed in the garden. This address is truly one of our favorites from this trip to Le Mans with my favorite photographer. Note that this bed and breakfast is not on booking platforms, so you have to go directly through the tourist office to book, or send a message to the owner via the place’s Instagram account.

Flowered garden in front of the Manoir Auvray in Le Mans with traditional facades.
Tested in 2023

Manoir d’Auvray

15 Rue Auvray, 72000 Le Mans

Link to the Manoir d’Auvray page on the Sarthe Tourism website

Thanks to the Pays du Mans tourist office, Patricia, and the J2M Communication agency for this welcome.

Lively pedestrian street scene in Le Mans with passersby and shops.

I hope that with all this I’ve made you want to visit Le Mans, and if you also have your own favorite addresses and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below!

Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization mandatory before any use

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