Taking its name from the nearby river Sarthe is without doubt best known for the spectacle of the Le Mans 24 Hour race. However there are other attractions to the town and the surrounding area. Le Mans has some of the best preserved Roman walls in Europe and the natural splendour of the area is best enjoyed at the the Parc Naturel Régionale de Normandie et Maine.
The cathedral in the old town is magnificent and those interested in ancient history will be interested in the menhir at its entrance. 15th and 16th century houses line the narrow cobbled streets of the town and those who want to enjoy some authentic regional cuisine will be spoiled for choice. Of course the Musée de l’Automobile with its wonderful collection of classic and modern cars is well worth a visit.
HOW TO GET THERE:
BY ROAD OR MOTORWAY
From Paris – 205 km – 2 h 00 (A11)
From Rouen – 210 km – 2 h 15 (A28)
From Nantes – 183 km – 1 h 40 (A11)
From Rennes – 161 km – 1 h 35 (A81, E50)
From Caen – 160 km – 2 h (A88, A28)
From Tours – 102 km – 1 h 30 (A28)
From Alençon – 53 km – 40 min
From Bordeaux – 425 km – 4 h 20 (A28, A10)
BY RAIL, WITH TGV
From Paris Montparnasse – 54 min
From Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport – 1 h 40
From Orly Airport – 1 h 30
From Rennes – 1 h 15
From Nantes – 1 h 15
From Lille – 2 h 30
From Lyon – 3 h 00
From Marseille – 4 h 45
From Grenoble – 4 h 15
From Bruxelles – 3 h 30
From Londres – 4 h 30
BY TRAM and CITY BUS
Tramway :
City Centre République ↔ Gares ↔ Terminus Antarès
The East entrance (Garage Vert) of the circuit is 150 meters from the tram stop, directly linking the station to the circuit in 20 minutes. Services from 5.30am to 1am.
Bus (Bus stop at 15 minutes’ walk from the circuit)
City Centre ↔ Circuit (near « Centre des Expositions », North entrance) :
Line 3 : République – terminus Oasis
SNCF ↔ Circuit (near « Centre des Expositions », North entrance) :
Line 17 – terminus Oasis
City Centre ↔ Circuit (near Parc Rouge, Panorama, North entrance) :
Line 12 République – St Martin + Line 7 – terminus Les Raineries
TAXI
Taxis Radio 24H/24 : 02 43 24 92 92
Taxis Station gare : 02 43 24 99 99
Le Mans Taxi radio : 02 43 82 07 07
AVIATION
Le Mans Arnage Airport is located near the circuit (1,420-metre runway) – IFR and ILS