Cité Plantagenêt (Old Town) Guide
Step Back in Time: Explore the Medieval Charm of Cité Plantagenêt Guide
Welcome to the Cité Plantagenêt, the enchanting Old Town of Le Mans! This remarkably preserved medieval quarter transports you back in time with its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and imposing ramparts. Prepare to be captivated by the atmosphere of centuries past as you wander through its narrow alleys and discover hidden squares. It's a truly immersive experience for history buffs and anyone seeking a taste of authentic French heritage. The history of the Cité Plantagenêt is deeply intertwined with the Plantagenet dynasty, who ruled England and much of France during the 12th century. Le Mans was the birthplace of Henry II, the first Plantagenet king. The city flourished during this period, and many of the buildings you see today date back to the medieval era. The area has also served as a backdrop for numerous films, including "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "The Man in the Iron Mask," further cementing its place in popular culture. A visit to the Cité Plantagenêt offers a variety of activities. Explore the ramparts for panoramic views of the city, lose yourself in the maze of streets, and admire the architecture. Visit the Carré Plantagenêt museum to delve deeper into the history of the region. Indulge in local cuisine at one of the many restaurants and cafes, savoring traditional dishes like rillettes (potted pork) and fouées (oven-baked bread). Don't forget to browse the artisan shops for unique souvenirs. While in Le Mans, be sure to try the local cider, a refreshing beverage that perfectly complements the regional flavors.
Transportation
The Cité Plantagenêt is easily accessible by bus. Several bus lines stop near the Old Town, including lines T1, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 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