Arrive via the channel ports of Normandy, by Eurostar or fly in, and it's a short motorway hop to Le Mans, enjoying fame today as the location of the world's oldest & most celebrated endurance race - the '24hr du Mans' - But there's so much more to see.

This is an ideal stop-over point to break a longer journey, and we are happy to accommodate you for just a few nights. But it's worth loitering as Le Mans has so much more to offer than just sports cars; from Romans to Renaissance this is the northern gateway to a magical & historical region: Joan of Arc, Richard The lion Heart, Leonardo de Vinci, Steve McQueen & Stirling Moss all have their place here.

Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the eleventh century between the powerful Counts of Anjou and the Dukes of Normandy, ultimately defining the future of England. When the Normans gained control it was William the Conqueror who successfully invaded England. Henry II, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the first of the 'House of Plantagenet' to rule England & the first to use the title "King of England" (as opposed to "King of the English"). Henry II was born & had a family Palace in Le Mans (now the town hall). Henry II is buried at Fontevraud Abbey near Chinon, along with his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Queen of France), along with one of his sons Richard I, better know as Richard-the-Lion-Heart whose widow Queen Berengaria is herself buried at Abbey of L'Epau, Le Mans itself.

An enchanting area dotted with vineyards, chateaux, glorious gardens & small historic towns

Our region of the Pays-de-la-Loire, locally known as the 'Loir Valley' after its local tributory river 'Le Loir', is a very historic part of France. It has been a seasonal sanctuary for many centuries. Increasingly visitors are returning to escape the Disney-style reputation of our big sister 'La Loire' just 40 km to the south.

Our river casually meanders through lush scenic countryside on an altogether more peaceful & intimate route through vineyards, chateaux, historic cities & pretty villages. Here the Romans built temples and a forum, baths & a theatre, visitors can see the archaeological excavations near Le Lude. The countryside is rich in historical gems and natural beauties away from the better-known attractions of the Loire valley itself that are just waiting to be discovered; historic cities and elegant old towns are strung along the river banks, pretty cobbled streets, tree lined avenues and lively pavement cafés.

The towns of the Loir Valley conserve their architectural and cultural significance, baring witness to their long history and significance in the construction & heydays of France and England. They bore witness to magical eras of William the Conquerer, the Plantagenet Kings & Queens, Sun God Kings, Joan of Arc, battles & wars. Here in the 'Garden of France' you will be greeted by long stretches of river, sunny slopes with fertile vineyards and green valleys - a true flavour of 'old France', whose qualities alone makes it a worthy destination, but under it's relaxing surface lies a fascinating (and sometimes bloody) history.	Download the PDF Guide to the 'Loir Valley'

Historic

The old town took its name from the English Plantagenet dynasty, whose founder, the future Henry II, was born in Le Mans. Many traces of this royal period can still be found in the stones dating from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Nine hectares of cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and Renaissance hotels are enclosed by a ring of Roman walls with the magnificent gothic Cathedral St Julien towering above it. The magnificent backdrop of the Plantagenet City is regulary used as a film set for epics such as Gérard Depardieu's Cyrano de Bergerac, Moliere & The Man in the Iron Mask.
There remnants of the Roman wall in the old town are amazing and there are Roman baths by the river (also an excavation of a roman theatre & forum near Le Lude). These walls are highlighted every summer evening (July and August) in a massive free light show that tells the history of the town. Due to this yearly event, Le Mans has become know as the city of Lights, as vast moving images are projected against the catherdral & ancient buildings - Know as 'Les Nuits de Chimeres'.

Motorsport

The city is best known for its connection with motorsports. It has been host to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race since 1923 and is the oldest race in the world. There are actually two separate racing tracks at Le Mans, though they share certain portions. The permanent Bugatti Circuit, home to the Moto French Grand Prix and other racing throughout the year. The longer and more famous Circuit de la Sarthe is composed partly of public roads, which are closed to the public when the track is in use for racing,. Also plays host annually to the 24Hour Motorbike race going since 1978. The ractrack has it's own 'museum of speed'.

WWII

Le Mans was liberated by U.S. Divisions on 8 August 1944 after the Normandy Landings, engineers of the Ninth Air Force began construction of a combat Advanced Landing Ground outside of the town. Declared operational on 3 September, the airfield was designated as "A-35", it was used by several American fighter and transport units until late November 1944. The Airport is situated immediately next to the Race Track and is still open for light aircraft & helicopter use.


Good day trips from Le Mans include excursions to Angers, Château du Loir, La Flèche, Saumur and Tours, all of which have something special to offer, ranging from museums and historic chateaux, to beautiful countryside, woodland trails and public parks. Several excellent links to locate sights & activities can be found below:
Le Mans Tourist Guide Loir Valley Website UNESCO World Heritage Tourist Board	Vineyards & Wine Chateaux Guide 1 / Chateaux Guide 2 Local Lake, beach & swimming Le Mans Illuminations

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A few km's to the south of us are the lovely villages and towns situated along the banks of the River Loir; La Chartre-sur-Loir for example. Wine tasting, brocantes and vide-greniers (car boots) most weeks. Only 12km away are the lakes at Marcon, with a sand beach, slide & lifeguard, great swimming & water sports, plus a small park for the kids.

The Berce National Forest

National forest of Bercé -Walking, cycling & riding

A jewel of a French forest, the national forest of Bercé, produces wood of very high quality, particularly oak used at the age of 200 years. Exceptionally, some 350 year-old oaks have been conserved.These oaks are so precious that they are actually shipped to California to make oak wine barrells.

The forest of Bercé is an ideal place for walking, horse-riding, cycling and mountain biking (315 km of waymarked itineraries). A dappled network of trails punctuated by picnic aries. There is lovely interpretation trail at the 'Chene Boppe' at St Pierre de Lorouer, a lovely nature trail excellent for kids, which walks you round some of the oldest & tallest trees in Europe.

Access the forest from St Vincent de Lorouer, St Pierrede Lorouer, Le Grand-Lucé, Jupilles & Pruillé-L’eguillé.

Welcome to the Le Grand-Lucé - "Little city of character"

Grouped around the elegant neo-classical château, is our local town of Lucé, partly destroyed by fire in 1781, and reconstructed with a new layout using the best quality materials.

Here and there you will find an unexpected small piece of heritage at a bend on its streets and alleyways: the multi-coloured 'Neuf Mesnil villa' with its glasswork, outbuildings and dovecote, garden pavilions is magnificent & luckily houses the toursits office.

Le Grand-Lucé is our local town only 2km away. A delightful, busy cobbled town, with bars, bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants & a deli.

Château du Grand Lucé gardens

Now privately owned, it has been extensively renovated & refurbished after having been used as a hospital During WWII. Famous for its Gardens and the Bastille Day (14th July) celibrations held in the grounds. Visit the website: www.chateaugrandluce.com

Vineyards & Wine Tours

This intimate relationship of quality and climate determines where the Loire's greatest vineyards are to be found, almost exclusively on south-facing slopes to capture every last inkling of the sun's rays. Such vineyards may be located on the right bank of the Loire, as at Vouvray, but the majority of the vineyards are found on the left bank, often where a tributary joins the great river, such as at Coteaux du Loir & Jasnieres just 5 minutes up the road at l'Homme.

Today, despite the ravages of Phylloxera, which entered the region in 1880, the Loire remains a vibrant and pulsating wine region which throws forth a plethora of whites in all styles, ranging from crisp and refreshing, rich and oak-influenced, fine and mineral, sweet, hedonistic and botrytised, as well as reds ranging from fine infusions of raspberry fruit just perfect for summer drinking, to structured wines that demand years in the cellar in order to show their true worth. And there are sparklers too. Without doubt this infinite variety owes much to the region's history, but the soils, layered with 'tuffeau' limestone of which many of the local chateaux are built.

The grapes are also key; Muscadet is almost unique to the region, Chenin Blanc thrives here like nowhere else, and Cabernet Franc excels in isolation. And finally, although of equal importance, come the vignerons; men and women dedicated to the vine and wine.

Set off on a sensorial journey along our suggested itineraries for cyclists, walkers and even hot air balloonists...The 'Route de Vignobles' runs past the front door, with hundreds of wine producers all open for wiine cave tours, tasting & sales. Drive, cycle or walk on the "Vignes, Vins et Randos" path around Jasnieres and Coteaux du Loir Vineyards just km's away at L'homme. All year long this region is home to major winemaking festivals & tastings. Drive through the Loir Valley Vineyards.

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