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Making the most of the fantastic French cuisine is a must while you're in Le Mans so here are our recommendations

The Race of the Century is almost upon us. The legendary town of Le Mans draws hundreds of thousands of people each year to this motorsport pilgrimage.

The town is flooded with vibrant international activity surrounding the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the racegoers need to be well fed and watered while they’re away from the track.

With an impressive array of bars and restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes, the culinary possibilities are endless in Le Mans, but for us there are a few that stand out.

Here are our recommendations when it comes to eating and drinking out in Le Mans…

Five restaurant recommendations in Le Mans

La Baraque à Bœuf - 11 Pl. Saint-Pierre, 72000

Tucked away in the heart of the Old Town of Le Mans, La Baraque à Bœuf offers a range of quintessentially French dining. With chic, classical decor, and an impressive range of desserts, this spot is one we definitely recommend on a trip to Le Mans. For steak lovers it is a must - just don’t be alarmed if you find a cheeky hashbrown hidden underneath it!

Vigo – Le, 2 Rue Gambetta, 72000

The perfect place to grab lunch or have a drink after a long day of racing, Vigo is also located in the dead centre of Le Mans. Convenient and always with a decent atmosphere on race weekends, Vigo is open a little later, until 11pm. The restaurant is traditionally French in style, and usually has free tables both in and outside.

L' Office – 33ter Pl. de la République, 72100 

L'Office Bar Brasserie is ideally located in the centre of Le Mans, close to many of the hotels. Its classy interior is also reflected on the menu with a wide range of culinary offerings, including a sumptuous seafood section. It is also open until 1am, making it the perfect place to while away the long French summer evenings. 

Courtine – 21 Pl. de l'Éperon, 72100 

Built into the ancient walls of the city, the gourmet restaurant Courtine offers set lunch menus from €11.90. Boasting 100% homemade dishes, and a varied selection of vegan and gluten free options, this fresh appearance on the Le Mans restaurant scene is well worth checking out. They also pride themselves in speaking English, good news for international racegoers.

Brasserie Madeleine – 7 Pl. des Jacobins, 72000

Looking for lunch with a view? The enormous windows of Brasserie Madeleine look out onto the spectacular Cathédrale Saint-Julien du Mans, which dates as far back as the sixth century! The menu is simple but elegant, with real quality and generous portions. The family run business offers seafood specialties which go perfectly with a fine French wine.