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Le Mans Events and Le Mans Festivals
(Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France, FR)



The city of Le Mans is best known for its motor racing events, particularly the legendary '24 Heures du Mans', held every June. There are also a host of other racing events, which take place in the spring and summer at Le Mans' famous circuits.

Le Mans also holds many impressive festivals and other celebrations, which are often crowd-pullers and offer plenty of things to do. Many of these events have a cultural theme, featuring music concerts, theatre and circus shows. The main festivals and local events within Le Mans are listed below.




Le Mans National Public Holidays - Le Mans, France, FR

• 1st January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
• Easter Holiday - Easter Monday (late March or early April)
• 1st May - Labour Day (Fête du premier mai)
• 8th May - Victory in Europe Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai)
• May (40th day after Easter) - Ascension Thursday
• 14th July - Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
• 15th August - Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Assomption)
• 1st November - All Saints Day (La Toussaint)
• 11th November - Remembrance Day, Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice)
• 25th December - Christmas Day (Noel)
• 26th December - Second Day of Christmas (In Alsace Lorraine only)

Le Mans Calendar of Festivals and Events

Le Mans Events and Festivals in January - Le Mans, France, FR

• Cross Ouest France - held mid-January, Le Mans' Arche de la Nature is the starting point for a number of off-road running events, attracting some 15,000 competitors, both young and old

Le Mans Events and Festivals in February - Le Mans, France, FR

• There are no significant festivals in Le Mans during the month of February

Le Mans Events and Festivals in March - Le Mans, France, FR

• French Superbike Championship - end of March, racers do battle in Supersport, Superbike 1000, 125, Sidecar and Junior 600 Pirelli categories in this ever-popular motorbike event

Le Mans Events and Festivals in April - Le Mans, France, FR

• Europa Jazz Festival - early April to May, a series of concerts held at the Abbaye de l'Épau and featuring some of the greatest jazz musicians
• 24 Heures Motos - mid-April, the race opens the Motorbike Endurance World Championship. It kicks off with the Classic Grand Prix, bringing together bikes of the 1974/1984 period

Le Mans Events and Festivals in May - Le Mans, France, FR

• Grand Prix de France Moto - mid-May, three days of motorbike racing, including warm-ups, practice laps, entertainment and a chance to meet the riders
• Le Festival de L'Épau - a classical music festival of some thirty-odd concerts in the impressive surroundings of the Abbaye de L'Epau
• 10 km et semi-marathon du Mans - a popular road race through the centre of Le Mans that takes place every Ascension. The race attracts some 20,000 spectators and over 2,000 competitors

Le Mans Events and Festivals in June - Le Mans, France, FR

• 24 Heures du Mans - mid-June. This legendary motor race is the highlight of the region's racing calendar and has been held at the Sarthe Circuit for more than 70 years
• Le Mans fait son cirque - end of June, the city is transformed with this annual weekend of entertainment for all the family

Le Mans Events and Festivals in July - Le Mans, France, FR

• Son et Lumière - held early July to late August, the cathedrals, buildings and city walls of Le Mans light up every evening in this fascinating display of illuminations
• 24 Heures Karting - held on 'Circuit Alain Prost', part of Le Mans' historic race circuit. Some 40 teams from all over the world compete

Le Mans Events and Festivals in August - Le Mans, France, FR

• Les Soirs d'été - held every Thursday and Friday throughout July and August, the city comes alive with street theatre, circus and music events

Le Mans Events and Festivals in September - Le Mans, France, FR

• Fête de l'Automobile - end September. An event organized by The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which brings together thousands of people dedicated to cars from yesteryear and today, all within the remarkable setting of the area's acclaimed racing circuits
• Onion Fair - held on the Avenue de la Libération, Le Mans celebrates everything to do with the onion. Onion tart, onion soup, onion bread are just a few of the delicacies on offer

Le Mans Events and Festivals in October - Le Mans, France, FR

• 24 Heures Camions - Held since 1981, lorries race round Le Mans' Bugatti Circuit. Also, many other attractions, including a firework display
• 24 Heures du Livre - held in mid-October, this book festival attracts authors, illustrators, editors and around 30,000 visitors in search of a literary weekend

Le Mans Events and Festivals in November - Le Mans, France, FR

• Bebop'n'roll - a celebration of alternative music, held here for the past 20 years and also a popular event worth adding to your itinerary

Le Mans Events and Festivals in December - Le Mans, France, FR

• Le Reveillon - On Christmas Eve, restaurants open well into the night to serve a special meal, known as 'Le Reveillon'. This traditional supper is eaten after Midnight Mass and is usually made up of dishes local to the region

 
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