My family and I visited Le Mans to discover what treats this high-octane fueled French city has to offer. It’s about an hour and a half from the French coast making it possible to visit for a long weekend and it also makes a perfect stop-off if you’re traveling further south.

We then spent a few days exploring the beautiful countryside of Le Loir, just to the south of Le Mans. In part two of this article, to follow, we sleep with a polar bear, party with race drivers, recover with ancient remedies from nuns and, of course, eat very well! But for now though, back to Le Mans.

Le Mans, the race
Le Mans and the surrounding area have a rich engineering heritage. The Wright brothers came in 1908 to make their first planes in a factory which was later taken over by Renault, who still manufacture cars in the area. In the early 1900’s France had the most motor companies in the world and the 24 hour race in Le Mans was created to showcase their products. It’s been held annually since the first race in 1923, becoming the world’s oldest active endurance sports car race and one to the most famous events on the motoring calendar.

A Bentley won the second race and the British love affair with the 24 hour began. British manufactures have won 17 times and British drivers such as Derek Bell and Graham Hill have become legends. Every year thousands of British fans make the pilgrimage over to the race affectionately known as the biggest British motor race in France.

Yet many of us will have grown up knowing the name but little else about this historic sporting event. Largely, I believe due to the lack of television coverage, over looked in favour of Formula 1. So in preparation of our visit we set out some research. This largely consisted of evenings in racing around the track on the Xbox… But there are also several films we found well worth watching. Steve McQueen’s 1971, epic film, Le Mans is visually enthralling, albeit rather lacking in dialog. Bigger Picture Films give a great insight into the racing world at Le Mans. Their films, In the Lap of the Gods and Chasing the Dream have a thrilling, seat-of-your-pants view of the race. The brilliant, Deadliest Crash, tells the harrowing story of the tragic disaster at the 1955, 24 hour in which over a 100 people lost their lives and motor sport changed forever. The film documents what the race means to the local people and just how deep-rooted it is in their lives. It’s rare and personal window into the race and a must see for any fan of motor racing.

Le Mans, the city
The 24 hour race is woven into the fabric of this lively French city and you’re never far from a story about motor racing. Before the 24 hour race the drivers parade through the city which turns into one big party for the weekend. Afterwards the winning driver’s hand and feet prints become part of the city, set in brass in the pavement.

To escape all the engine excitement for a moment, you can step through the Roman walls surround the historic old town and meander quietly through the streets of timber houses dating back to the 15th century. Built when many people couldn’t read, carvings can still be found in pillars at the corners of buildings and along their facades revealing the trades and goods that were available within. On the hill, crowning the old town is one of Frances largest cathedrals. An impressive structure built over 400 years through the 11th and 15th centuries. More than a 100 stained glass windows illuminate the vast interior thanks to an unnamed architect’s ingenuity, splitting the flying buttresses around the outside of the cathedral in a unique ‘Y’ shape design to allow sun light to stream through the superstructure and flood the coloured glass with light. At one corner, resting quietly against the walls of the cathedral is an ancient, 4 or 5,000 year old stone menhir (one of the large rocks Asterix’s mate, Obelix used to carry around), which race drivers touch for luck).