Jacobins Square

Welcome to Place des Jacobins, one of Le Mans’ most emblematic squares. Just before arriving here, you may have noticed an entrance to your left leading into a tunnel. This is in fact an 18th-century underground gallery, originally built to channel water from the river into the city. Though it no longer serves its original purpose, it remains a fascinating piece of heritage, today used by both pedestrians and vehicles, and still hides remnants of its past. Once you reach Place des Jacobins, you are standing in the heart of Le Mans’ history. The square takes its name from the Couvent des Jacobins, a Dominican monastery founded in the 13th century, whose buildings once occupied much of the area you see today. This monastery was an important religious centre until the French Revolution, when, like many other religious monuments, it was closed and partially destroyed. What survives of that heritage lives on in the square’s name and in a few remaining architectural traces. Place des Jacobins has long been a focal point of the city. Over the centuries, it has hosted major events, bustling markets, and public gatherings. Today, it remains a popular meeting spot for locals, with its café terraces, shops, and lively atmosphere.