Le Mans: Difference between revisions
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As the principal city of [[Maine (province of France)|Maine]], Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the 11th century between the counts of [[Anjou]] and the dukes of [[Normandy]]. When the Normans had control of Maine, this allowed [[William the Conqueror]] to successfully invade [[England]]; however in [[1069]] the citizens revolted and expelled the Normans, which led to [[Hugh V of Maine|Hugh V]] being proclaimed [[List of Counts and Dukes of Maine|count of Maine]]. |
As the principal city of [[Maine (province of France)|Maine]], Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the 11th century between the counts of [[Anjou]] and the dukes of [[Normandy]]. When the Normans had control of Maine, this allowed [[William the Conqueror]] to successfully invade [[England]]; however in [[1069]] the citizens revolted and expelled the Normans, which led to [[Hugh V of Maine|Hugh V]] being proclaimed [[List of Counts and Dukes of Maine|count of Maine]]. |
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During [[World War II]], Le Mans was |
During [[World War II]], Le Mans was liberated by the [[U.S. 5th Armored Division|US 5th Armored Division]] on [[August 8]], [[1944]] following their breakout from the [[Battle of Normandy|Normandy beachheads]]. |
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==Sights== |
==Sights== |
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Revision as of 07:33, 8 September 2006
- For the Le Mans automobile race see the 24 hours of Le Mans article
Le Mans | |
|---|---|
Location of  | |
| Country | France |
| Arrondissement | Le Mans |
| Canton | Chief town of 9 cantons |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 72181 / |
Le Mans (pronounced /lə mɑ̃/ in French) is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. It is the préfecture (capital) of the Sarthe département. Its inhabitants are called Manceaux and Mancelles.
History
First mentioned by Ptolemy (Geography 2.8.8), the Roman city Vindinium was the capital of the Aulerci, a client tribe of the Aedui. Le Mans is also indentified as the town known as Civitas Cenomanorum (City of the Cenomani). Their city lay in the territory of the province of Gallia Lugdunensis. An amphitheatre built in the 3rd century CE is still visible.
Gregory of Tours mentions a Frankish sub-king Rigomer, who was killed by Clovis in his campaign to unite the Frankish territories.
As the principal city of Maine, Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the 11th century between the counts of Anjou and the dukes of Normandy. When the Normans had control of Maine, this allowed William the Conqueror to successfully invade England; however in 1069 the citizens revolted and expelled the Normans, which led to Hugh V being proclaimed count of Maine.
During World War II, Le Mans was liberated by the US 5th Armored Division on August 8, 1944 following their breakout from the Normandy beachheads.
Sights
Le Mans has a well-preserved old town (Vieux Mans) and a cathedral: Cathédrale St-Julien, dedicated to St Julian of Le Mans, who is honored as the city's first bishop. There are remnants of a Roman wall in the old town and Roman baths by the river.
Demographics
At the 1999 French census, there were 293,159 inhabitants in the metropolitan area (aire urbaine) of Le Mans, with 146,105 of these living in the city proper (commune). Template:Demography 7col source : http://www.insee.fr/fr/ffc/docs_ffc/psdc.htm
Sports
Motorsports
The city is best known for its connection with motorsports. There are actually two separate racing tracks at Le Mans, though they share certain portions. The smaller is the Bugatti Circuit (named after Ettore Bugatti, founder of the car company bearing his name), a relatively short permanent circuit which is used for racing throughout the year. The longer and more famous Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe is composed partly of public roads, which are closed to the public when the track is in use for racing, and has been host to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race since 1923. The first French Grand Prix took place here in 1906. The "Le Mans start" takes its name from the way racers lined up across the street from their cars and ran across the street and jumped into their cars to begin.
Football
Births
Le Mans was the birthplace of:
- Henry II of England, born 1133
- Geoffroy V d'Anjou, born 1113
- Geoffrey de Goreham or Gorron, became Abbott of St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK, in 1119
- Gilles-François de Beauvais, born 7 July 1693, was a Jesuit writer and preacher.
Others
The culinary specialty of Le Mans is rillettes, a shredded pork paté.
Near Le Mans at Mayet there is one of the tallest radio masts in France (height: 342 metres).
External links
- Official website
- Visiting Le Mans (maps and aerial pictures)
- Le Mans 24 Hours official site
- Pictures of Le Mans, by day and by night
