Jean-Claude Boulard : Carré Plantagenêt Museum

On your right stands the Jean-Claude-Boulard, Carré Plantagenêt Museum, the main museum of history and archaeology in Le Mans. Set on the edge of the Cité Plantagenêt, it invites you on a true journey through time. Named after Jean-Claude Boulard, former mayor of Le Mans and a passionate advocate for heritage, it is still best known as the Carré Plantagenêt, a nod to the historic dynasty born here. From the moment you enter, the scene is set: flint tools, pottery, ancient weapons, everyday objects… The visit begins in Prehistory and leads you step by step through the Gallo-Roman period, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and into modern times. One of the museum’s highlights is the collection of remains from the ancient city of Vindunum, including mosaics, funerary stelae, and an impressive scale model of the Roman town. But the real pride of the Carré Plantagenêt lies in its medieval collection. Here you’ll find swords, pieces of armour, seals, jewellery… and even objects connected to the Plantagenêt family, whose origins are rooted in Le Mans. The museum also gives prominence to local archaeology, displaying artefacts uncovered during excavations in the Sarthe region. All of this is presented in a bright, modern building designed to showcase the pieces without overwhelming them. It’s a fascinating, accessible visit that reveals the deep roots of the city, its historical role, and the evolution of daily life over the centuries, an essential stop for anyone wishing to truly understand Le Mans.