Le Mans: little houses, stone alleys... and a lot of speed
if you get close to Le Mans this weekend, just when the most famous endurance race in the world turns 90, the landscape is transformed: bars on the street, crowds overflowing the center, drivers who catch the Formula 1 spirit and run too much and a nocturnal city artistically illuminated at every corner, especially on the facades of historic buildings. “Welcome to the Grand Prix of Endurance and Tenacity, the 24 Hours of Le Mans” says the movie 24 hours of Le Mans . And that seems to go for both the riders and the viewers of that crazy weekend where the city wakes up for once.
Houses of three days that last six centuries. Civil and popular architecture is the greatest of the surprise values of Le Mans. Throughout the center there medieval houses made of mud and wood that are still preserved, a bit crowded . It is said that they were prefabricated and could be built in three days, and they are still there. But above all there are stone houses that are clearly visible, to symbolize the economic power of its inhabitants in a city that has been prospering for centuries and whose historic center was hardly intervened other than to prop it up. The result is a walk through a winding urban layout full of hidden gems , like the palatial gardens, of which some 10 or 15 are open to the public in September, during Cour et jardin. More information here.
The houses of three days that last six centuries
The wall. It is the first urban surprise, a huge, very well preserved mass and it would be said that it is quite impregnable. To be part of a fortress she's too pretty , so it is suspected that the purpose, in addition to being defensive, was to demonstrate Roman power to the Gauls. The towers support the wall and are inclined, which makes it more impressive.
Flowers. At this time of year there are wild flowers blooming in any gap between the stones of the town. Lilac and yellow colors predominate.
The mills. There are several in the city. One belonged to pioneering 1930s filmmaker Marcel Pagnol.
Le Potagenet. Public urban gardens scattered throughout the city. You reap what you sow . The name is a play on words between stew (orchard) and Plantagenet (the most conspicuous dynasty of Le Mans, which reigned in England and whose founder is buried in the town's St. Julian's Cathedral).
Le Potagenet, Le Mans-style urban gardens
Robert Doisneau. The photographer of "The Kiss" was in Le Mans, from where he took a photo that also became famous, "The house that flies" . Now, in the place, there is a stuffed animal leaning out the window that reminds Doisneau and the girl.
The street of the Queen Berenguela. It is the most photographed in the city, it is full of palaces and leads to the Cathedral. It was filmed here Cyrano de Bergerac and many other movies, documentaries and commercials. At his side is the garden and museum of Queen Berenguela.
The Roman wall of Le Mans
More 24 hours. At Le Mans, sheltered from the 24-hour car race, 24-hour motorcycle, bike and even skateboarding are also held.
The race. Created shortly after the First World War, it celebrates its 90th anniversary in this edition. The layout is 13 kilometers and 605 meters, and its longest straight, 5 kilometers and 520 meters. The race starts on Saturday June 22 at 3 in the afternoon and ends on Sunday 23 at the same time.
The rules. As they didactically explain in the film The 24 Hours of Le Mans: “they will drive day and night, rain or shine”, “no driver can drive more than 14 of the 24 hours, no driver can drive more than 4 consecutive hours ” and “the car that travels the greatest number of kilometers during the 24 hours will be the winner”.
Steve McQueen. With his blond hair with potty bangs, now so fashionable among posh teenagers, and his intense look that seems to say "I'm thinking something very fucked up", McQueen is everything in the 1971 film that gave the definitive fame to the circuit. The actor was a war hero who saved 5 companions from drowning in World War II, a driver who achieved good results in official races and a racing fanatic who insisted on shooting everything in the most realistic way possible (that is, actually racing) . He was pissed off when he saw that they had cut scenes for him instead of making his careers even longer than they are for us. They sell t-shirts with their hard blond face in the circuit store at 42 euros.
Steve McQueen on the set of '24 Hours of Le Mans'
The yellow. “The color yellow means danger” they say in the film. It is the one used in the circuit to indicate that later there is an accident or some problem.
The movie. It's about cars running. You will like it if you like racing cars. The main character has a quite nice Porsche 917 and the opponent a Ferrari that is not bad either. Enzo Ferrari refused to lend the car to him because he feared that on screen they would lose that race against their enemies at the time. As they lost those of 1970 and 1971 in the real circuit. Epic for a tube. Try to convey intensity based on languid looks -too bad-, or a montage of spaghetti western, as at the start of the race, marked by a few beats -than something better-.
the chimeras. It is the night lighting with which the old city is decorated in summer. As part of the celebrations of the 90 years of the race, a visual show has been created that will be projected on the Church of the Annunciation, in the Plaza de la República. It can be seen every day until June 23 at 10 p.m.
The chimeras, the summer night illumination in Le Mans
The Pontlieue Hairpin. It was a curve of almost 360 degrees in the center of the city, where it was possible to compete when the race premiered in 1923. For this 90th anniversary they have recovered it. It's not that you're going to run around there, but they've redecorated it like it was back in the day with the advertising billboards of the time, the bar that's been there since the 1920s -renovated to the 1920s-, interwar cars circulating around the curve and a dance with music and retro costumes at the adjacent Mauboussin school.
Parade of classics. The French classic car association parades its collector cars (racing, supercars, electric and vintage) through the city. They go from Republic Square to the Plaza de los Condes de Maine on Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m.
The classic race, a classic
The fair. A town fair, with a huge Ferris wheel from which you can see the circuit and attractions such as the Boomerang or the Booster on the outside of the Maison Blanch and. There is another fair next to the Dunlop tire with karting, an inverted car and other things related to the automotive industry.
11 legendary cars. During the days that the circuit lasts, eleven winning cars will be exhibited, almost one per decade (the 90's is represented by two). They will be parked in a space prepared in the circuit and they will give some exhibition lap . They are the Bentley Speed Six (1929), Alfa Romeo 8C (1933), Ferrari 166 MM (1949), Jaguar D (1957), Ford GT40 (1969), Porsche 917K (1971), Porsche 956 (1982), Dead Heat Mazda 787B (1991), Peugeot 905 (1992), Audi R10 TDI (2006), and Audi e-tron Quattro (2012).
A fan at the exit. A spectator will be graced with the possibility of starting the official race. And then, they'll give you a seat in the best spot on the track.
Cyrano deBergerac. A good portion of the exteriors for the 1990 film were shot at Le Mans. When it begins and Depardieu enters the theater, he is actually at the gates of the town's Cathedral.
Depardieu in 'Cyrano de Bergerac'
Aerial baptism. Flying over the circuit for 10 minutes (two laps) costs 99 euros per person at Heliberte ([email protected]) .
24 hour museum. Classic cars and material related to the circuit. It's in the circuit La Sarte (the one with the race), opens daily until 7 a.m. and extends its hours until 12 p.m. on the weekend of the competition. It costs 8.50 euros.
** Earth, Wind & Fire .** The group, almost as classic as the race, is the star of Sunday's concert on the circuit. There are other concerts on Friday and Saturday.
Street entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, in the Place de l'Ancien Musée stunts are staged, there is a pit stop and trial shows. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Little streets of Le Mans, the pause of speed