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| Travel Guide 2 > Europe > France > Towns and Cities > Le Mans |
Le Mans
Located on the Sarthe River, Le Mans is a city in the Sarthe département, in the Pays de la Loire region of France. As of the 1999 census, Le Mans had a population of 146,105.
Le Mans has a very ancient history, and is mentioned by Ptolemy (second century AD) as the Roman city of Vindinium. Traces of the Roman period include an amphitheater, built in the 3rd century AD, which is still visible to this day. Additionally, not quite as old, but definitely worth seeing are the well-perserved old town (known as "Cité Plantagenêt," or "Vieux Mans"), and the impressive cathedral ("Cathédrale St-Julien du Mans").
Le Mans is of course most famous for its connection to motorsports. There are in fact two separate racing tracks in the city, although they do share certain portions of their routes. The tracing tracks are:-
- The Bugatti Circuit - This is the smaller of the two racing
racing tracks, and is named after Ettore Bugatti, who founded the
Bugatti motor company. The Bugatti Circuit is a relative short circuit, is permanent and used for racing all
year round.
- The Circuit de la Sarthe - This is a temporary circuit which is composed, in part, of public roads, which are closed to the public when racing is taking place. The Circuit de la Sarthe is used for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans (French: 24 Heures du Mans) often known as the "Grand Prix of Endurance", and has been since 1923. This race tests not only the car and driver's ability to drive speed, but also their endurance.
| 24 Hour du le Mans Ferrari GP 32" X 44" Giclee Print  |
24 Heures du Mans 44" X 60" Giclee Print Artist: George Ham.  |
Panhard, 24 Heures du Mans 26.75" X 39.25" Art Print Artist: G. Kow.  |
| Panhard, 24 Heures Du Mans 27" X 39" Art Print Artist: G. Kow.  |
24 Heures du Mans 24" X 32" Giclee Print Artist: George Ham.  |
24 Heures du Mans 24" X 32" Giclee Print Artist: George Ham.  |
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