Le Mans
Le Mans is home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, and its preserved old town and Roman walls reward a visit even outside race week.
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Le Mans sits in northwestern France, where the Sarthe River meets the Huisne, in the Pays de la Loire region. It is the capital of the Sarthe department and was long the capital of the old province of Maine. The Romans knew it as Civitas Cenomanorum, and remnants of their city wall still stand in the old town. The wall is among the most complete surviving Gallo-Roman circuits.
The city is best known for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a sports car endurance race held here since 1923 and the world's oldest active race of its kind. Outside race weekend, start with the old town, which holds the Cathédrale St-Julien. The Musée de Tessé covers paintings and archaeology, and in July and August the Roman walls are lit up on summer evenings. Rillettes, a shredded pork pâté, is the local specialty. Summers are warm and occasionally hot, and rain falls fairly evenly all year. Plan one or two days, and book early if you come for the race.
Le Mans in five
- Book the TGV from Paris, about 1 hour by trainTGV trains reach the Gare du Mans from Paris in about 1 hour, and the same station has TGV links to Lille, Marseille, Nantes, Rennes and Brest.Getting around
- Set up an eSIM before you landMaps, train tickets and taxi apps all need data from your first hour. Buy the plan before you travel so you can use them as soon as you arrive.Phones and eSIM
- Check the French Schengen entry rulesFrance is in the Schengen area, so many passports get visa-free short stays. Check your own entry rules on the French foreign ministry site before you fly.Visas and entry
- Plan a July or August evening for the wallsThe Roman walls are lit up in a light show every summer evening in July and August. Walk the old town first, then see the show.Getting around
- Book race weekend beds earlyThe 24 Hours of Le Mans is among the most attended motor sport events in the world, so the city is busy that weekend. Book your bed and your train early.Where to stay
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Schengen short stays; visa-free for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 112 EU-wide; 17 police, 15 medical, 18 fire
- Tipping
- Service included; rounding up or small change is common
- Time
- UTC+1; UTC+2 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, cloudy
- FebruaryMild, cloudy
- MarchMild, damp
- AprilMild, showers
- MayMild, long days
- June24 Hours race
- JulyWall light show
- AugustWall light show
- SeptemberMild, warm
- OctoberCooling, damp
- NovemberCool, grey
- DecemberMild, grey
Right now in Le Mans
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 33%
Le Mans
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°5°33%Monday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Tue11°5°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed10°3°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu8°2°23%Thursday: Rain. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri10°2°18%Friday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat12°4°10%Saturday: Fog. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun11°4°15%Sunday: Rain. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 06:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Parisabout 1 hour by TGVParis is about 1 hour by TGV from Le Mans, so it works as a day trip.Read the guide
- RennesCheck TGV times on Getting aroundTGV trains connect Le Mans to Rennes, a second city for a longer trip.Read the guide
- NantesCheck TGV times on Getting aroundTGV trains connect Le Mans to Nantes, a larger city on the Loire for a longer trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Le Mans
Plan around Le Mans
Regions, rail links and the wider country
Read the guideGetting aroundTGV links, the tram and Le Mans-Arnage Airport
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day in Le Mans
Read the guideVisas and entryWhether your passport needs a Schengen visa
Read the guideWhere to stayOld town, the centre and the station area
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for maps, train tickets and taxis
Read the guideLe Mans FAQ
Is Le Mans worth visiting?
Yes, for the old town, the Roman walls and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A day or two covers the main sights.
Is the 24 Hours of Le Mans worth going to?
Yes, if you like motor sport. It is the world's oldest active endurance sports car race, held here since 1923.
How do you get from Paris to Le Mans?
The TGV takes about 1 hour from Paris to Le Mans. Trains leave from Paris and arrive at the Gare du Mans.
What is Le Mans known for besides the race?
Rillettes, a shredded pork pâté, is the local specialty. The city also has Roman walls, a cathedral and the Musée de Tessé.
How many days do you need in Le Mans?
One day covers the old town, the Roman walls and a museum. Add a second day for a day trip to Paris or a race weekend.
Can you see the Roman walls at night?
Yes, in July and August. The walls are lit up in a light show every summer evening during those months.
Is Le Mans a day trip from Paris?
Yes, it is about 1 hour by TGV each way. A day trip works, but it leaves little time for the walls and the museums.