old town

Highly recommended to take a walk through the cobbled streets with beautiful quaint restaurants and bars

That is just awesome to walk by the old town in Le Mans, it's a place to admire, to think about the life in the past and sometimes you find a luthier store, a traditional french restaurant or a tourism agency!

The cathedral and the old streets behind it have great atmosphere and lots of restaurants and cafes. The light show at night in the summer months are also a must.

We were in Le Mans for an overnight stop and just wondered out not expecting to find much of interest. We came across this beautiful medieval town full of charm and character. So pleased we saw it.

A walk through Vieux Mans is ideal solo, with friends, on a date or as a tourist. You cannot come to Le Mans and not visit it. Worth it. Lovely.

What was the big draw? Quite honestly, it was just a bit boring here. Lots of walking, some charming old buildings and then... nothing. No quaint shops to step into, no events to attend. It's nice, and probably worth a visit, but not going to occupy and entire day, or even an afternoon. On the plus side, it was free.

Very quaint cobbled streets. Some on hills and not for the infirm of foot. Beautiful place to wander. While visiting here, be sure to also visit the Cathedral.

The plantagenet city of Le Mans is like a handful of diamonds dropped into the middle of an unsavoury pancake. If you love we'll preserved cobbled streets and architecture walk every street and alleyway until you need to sit down in the cathedral or one of its many restaurants.

A huge array of 12th and 13th C houses and extablishments that in the most part being well cared for or restored within the walls of the old town on top of the rock. Great photo oppotunities.

If you like historical places, if you are interested in the history of the Plantagenets, and Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their sons Henry the Younger, Geoffrey, Richard 1 and John, and Richard's wife Queen Berengia, this is a wonderful place to wander round. The old town is on a hill overlooking the river contained within encircling Roman walls. The streets are cobbled and there are many stepped streets steeply ascending and descending into and out of this old town. The houses date from the Middle Ages to the 16th c; many are half timbered, propping each other up- but they are all still in use as houses or restaurants or museums or shops. The area has been carefully conserved to such an extent that it is used for historic film sets, and nothing modern is allowed to encroach ( unlike the rest of Le Mans centre which has been variously redeveloped in typical modernist 60s architecture.... to the extent that the Mayor responsible has been noted as corrupt in some articles about the town).It is totally charming, but has enough modern amenities, - bars, restaurants, quirky shops to bring it into todays world. There are two churches - but only St Julien Cathedral was opened when we visited. Built between the 11 th and 15th centuries it is imposing with huge stained glass windows. It has a menhir outside the door dating back to 4-5000 BC.We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours just wandering- unfortunately some of the museums were closed ( so check days/times of opening) but soaking up the atmosphere was enough!

Lovely cobbled streets with great restaurants. Would like to have explored more, but only there overniugh

The old town of Le Mans looks and feels like a film set, it is beautiful. Lots of restaurants and bars to choose from. Lots of steps and cobbled streets so not so suitable for older people

Right alongside the Cathedral, lots of quaint narrow streets with a few restaurants. Don't forget to visit Musée de la Reine Bérengère

We only walked around the streets in the evening but were so impressed. The lovely cobbled streets, beautiful old architecture.. Just lovely.

If you are in Le Mans I would definitely recommend a wander round the old town. There are beautiful medieval buildings in a good state of repair.Be warned though - the streets are cobbled and comfy shoes are to be recommended!