History of Le Mans, France

It was in 1481, at the time of the transition of the town, that King Louis XI granted Le Mans its first charter which provided the town with a Town Hall & a burgomaster assembly.

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

The religious wars were cruel & devasting for the inhabitants of Le Mans, during which, at the start of 1560, the reformed church was established.
In 1562 the Huguenots seized the town & occupied it from the 3rd April to 11th May. It was not until 1589, when the town was taken by Henry IV, that one of the most difficult periods for Le Mans came to an end.
www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Le Mans became a centre of manufacture & commerce, where cheesecloth, wax & leather were produced and sold to Italy, Spain and the West Indies; further more, Brazil was also involved in the trade negotiation

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

A large economic recession linked with the decline of the cheesecloth industry & the decline of the wax demand from 1789 lead the province to a period when Le Mans was reduced to a town of 16000 inhabitants.

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

In December 1793, at the time of the Vendée war, Le Mans was the site of a terrible battle between republican & Vendéan troops.

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

In 1855, the outlying districts of Saint-Croix, Siant-Georges, Saint-Pavin des Champs, then Pontlieue in 1865, became part of Le Mans. This resulted in a total population of 40000 inhabitants.

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

In January 1871, after the fierce combat close to the town from Tertre-Rouge to the camp of Auvours, & the defeat of the Loire army by General Chanzy, Le Mans was occupied by the Prussians for a few months.

www.nissan.co.jp/ Lemans/ environ/ history.html

1895 - Le Mans
Le Mans, leh möN" (anc. Suindinum, afterwards Ceno mani), a town of France, capital of the department of Sarthe, on the ridge and slope of a hill washed by the Sarthe, which is here crossed by 3 bridges, 130 miles by rail S.W. of Paris. The lower part of the town, near the banks of the river, is poorly built, with streets narrow and winding. The upper part has a much better appearance: the streets are spacious; and the market-place, into which most of them open, is large and handsome. The principal building is the cathedral, a fine Gothic structure, with a very old choir. The other edifices deserving of notice are the churches of Notre Dame and L'Ancienne Visitation, the prefecture, library, and museum, including a picture gallery, all occupying part of the buildings of an old monastery, the theatre, and cavalry barracks. The principal manufactures are linen, coarse woollens, lace, hosicry, paper, leather, and wax candles. The trade in clover- and lucerne seed is extensive. Le Mans is ... Read MORE...

The world's first public aeroplane flight took place in Le Mans in 1908

www.telegraph.co.uk/ travel/ destinations/ europe/ france/ 8615626/ Le-Mans-France-a-cultural-city-g

1923 - Since 1923, the city of Le Mans has hosted the internationally famous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance sports car race.

wikipedia.org

2023 - Whether you're a motorsport enthusiast or simply looking to explore a picturesque French town, Le Mans has a lot to offer. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Le Mans:
Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans: Start your visit with a trip to the Circuit de la Sarthe, where the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race takes place. You can take a guided tour of the circuit and the museum to learn about the history of this iconic event and see some of the most famous racing cars in the world.

Old Town (Cité Plantagenêt): Explore the historic heart of Le Mans in the Old Town, also known as Cité Plantagenêt. This well-preserved medieval quarter features winding cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and the stunning St. Julien's Cathedral. Don't miss the opportunity to climb to the top of the cathedral for breathtaking panoramic views of the town.

Musée de Tessé: This fine arts museum houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from various periods. It's a great place to discover the artistic heritage of Le Mans and the surrounding region.

Jardin des Plantes: Take a leisurely stroll through the Jardin des Plantes, a beautiful... Read MORE...