Le Mans less than an hour from Paris!
Le Mans is only 54 minutes from Paris Montparnasse train station by TGV! This proximity contributes to the economic dynamism of Sarthe. The department also benefits from its privileged location at the heart of a five-branched motorway network between the Paris region and the Atlantic coast.
The automobile industry is a historic sector of the Sarthe economy and a key sector with a network of manufacturers, equipment suppliers and subcontractors. Of course, the 24 Hours of Le Mans contribute to the influence of the Sarthe automobile industry.
Other promising industrial hubs:
- Meat and milk in the food industry with flagship products such as Loué poultry or the famous Rillettes du Mans.
- Chemistry, plastics and electronics.
Le Mans: the Plantagenet city over the centuries
The Cité Plantagenêt is the historic heart of the city of Le Mans: the town hall is housed in the former royal Plantagenet palace. The district, very well restored, is home to old medieval half-timbered houses, Renaissance residences, and classical-style private mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also worth discovering: the Carré Plantagenêt, the name of the museum of archaeology and history called.
The Saint Julien Cathedral in Le Mans, one of the largest in France, was built at the confluence of the Sarthe and Huisne rivers between the 11th and 15th centuries. It reflects the succession of medieval architectural and religious art styles. Its inverted Y-shaped flying buttresses make it a remarkable work of Gothic art. A menhir attached to one of the exterior walls during construction bears witness to the presence of man on the site since prehistoric times.
24 Hours of Le Mans, Bugatti circuit, 24 Hours museum...
The 24 Hours of Le Mans: The oldest and most famous endurance race in the world was created in 1923. The course has been modified several times. Today, the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit is 13,629 kilometers long. Since it is only used for about ten days a year, during testing and the race, it is open to public traffic during the rest of the year. Since 1966, the permanent 4,185 km Bugatti circuit has shared 24 meters of track, the straight and the pit facilities as well as the Dunlop chicane with the 1500 Hours. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, amateur drivers, including a few celebrities, have always competed against professionals.
For one week in June (around the 20th), the city lives to the rhythm of the 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile. The race weekend is preceded by the traditional "peage" which designates the technical and administrative checks and ends with the "Grand parade" of drivers in the city center on Friday evening. Test evenings on Wednesday and Thursday, concerts, race "village", visit of the stands, vintage cars... Everything comes together to make the 24 hours a major event appreciated by enthusiasts and the general public alike.
The Bugatti circuit is both a driving school and a circuit that hosts major competitions, mainly motor sports: Le Mans Classic which brings together vintage racing cars (every two years in July, in even years). The Grand Prix de France Moto (May). The 24 Heures Moto (end of September), the 24 Heures Camions (October) and also 24 Heures Rollers et vélo!
The 24 Hours Museum - Circuit de la Sarthe: formerly the Sarthe automobile museum, since 2009, its new museography offers six spaces on 4000 m2 around the heroes, legends, actors, behind the scenes of the most famous endurance race in the world. Superb collection of vintage vehicles and legendary racing cars.