To most people, ‘Le Mans’ means racing cars. For over a century, this medieval city in the Loire region of northwest France has hosted the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, an iconic rally around the Circuit de la Sarthe that’s as much a test of stamina as speed. You’ll find plenty of nods here to this rich motoring history, from postcards of classic Aston Martins to a dedicated museum that displays numerous race cars.
But you don’t need to be a petrolhead to fall in love with Le Mans; it’s a place with the most evocative of ancient centres, featuring cobbled alleys, some of the world’s best-preserved Roman walls and a blockbuster of a cathedral with beautiful stained glass. There are both intimate restaurants and busy al fresco bars by the river where you can take a bench seat and soak up the atmosphere. And Le Mans is a springboard to much more besides, from the pottery centre of Malicorne and the rustic charm of the Mancelles Alpes area to the royal city of Loches. And all this can be reached flight-free, with the train journey from St Pancras International taking just
