ADV ERT ISING
PROMOT ION
LE MANS
BIRTHPLACE OF THE PLANTAGENET DYNASTY
Two hours away from Paris by road and one hour by train, at the doors of Normandy and Brittany, the
Plantagenet City of Le Mans is well located near the town centre, away from the crowds and the noise of
the 24 Hours race, which is the oldest of its kind in the world!
Few people know that this town was the birthplace of
the most famous member of the Plantagenet family,
Henry II, born in 1133 in the Palace of the Maine
Counts. His father, Geoffrey V, married the Empress Matilda,
widow of the Holy Roman Emperor and grand-daughter of
William the Conquerer. The enamelled plate that covered his
tomb belongs to the Jean-Claude Boulard-Carré Plantagenêt
Museum’s collections and was displayed in 2020 in Louvre
Abu Dhabi Museum.
Actually, many antique stones (XIIth-XVth centuries)
survived from this royal saga. The Plantagenet City, largest
old city in western France, is composed of 20 hectares of
narrow and paved streets lined with wood-beamed houses
and Renaissance mansions. It is surrounded by a Roman wall
(IIIrd-IVth centuries) (candidate for UNESCO World Heritage
status) and dominated by the San Julian cathedral. In this
last monument, built part in Romanesque and Gothic styles,
we can observe the celestial chorus of forty-seven angels
(XIVth century) painted on the vaults of the Virgo’s chapel.
According to historians, these angels could have been
painted by Jean de Bruges during the Hundred Years’ War.
This historical monument also possesses the oldest stained
glass window still in place in a religious French building.
During summer, at nightfall, strange and enigmatic animals
come from virtual underground lairs and create an artistic
world, moving along the walls of the main historical buildings
of the Plantagenet City. The historical headquarters invites
everybody, history buffs or lovers of beautiful ancient stones
who want to know more about historical and sacred links
between Le Mans and the Plantagenet dynasty. Come and let
us tell you a beautiful story about the Plantagenet dynasty!
Office de Tourisme Le Mans Métropole 16 rue de l’Etoile 72000, Le Mans, France
www.lemans-tourisme.com | www.amazing-lemans.com
/www.lemans-tourisme.com
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/www.lemans-tourisme.com
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