Saint-Saturnin is a great base to visit the medieval city of Le Mans and explore the Loire Valley, where you’ll find rolling vineyards, elegant chateaux and postcard-perfect villages. Visit a museum dedicated to one of the most famous car races in the world.
Things to do in Saint-Saturnin
Spend the day in Le Mans, a lively city just south of Saint-Saturnin. The historic centre, also known as Vieux Mans, looks like a scene from a French storybook. Ancient city walls encircle a maze of cobbled alleys, lanes and squares. Cathédrale St-Julien du Mans towers over the historic centre and features centuries-old stained-glass windows. Don’t miss the chapel decorated with murals painted in the 14th century.
Dine at local bistros and try mouth-watering cuisine from the Pays de la Loire region. Order specialties like “rillettes du Mans” pork pate, asparagus drizzled with a rich “beurre blanc” butter sauce and “marmite Sarthoise” chicken cooked in white wine. Of course, no meal is complete without a glass of Loire Valley wine. Patisseries will tempt you with melt-in-your-mouth “gache vendéenne” brioche bread and “chaussons aux pommes” apple tart.
Get up to speed on the city’s racing heritage at the Museum of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The museum charts the history of the legendary car race, which has been held in Le Mans since 1923. Admire more than 100 gleaming vehicles, including Ferraris, Porsches and Jaguars. The museum overlooks a practice track where you can watch drivers training for the endurance race.
Getting around Saint-Saturnin
Saint-Saturnin is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is in the Pays de la Loire region, a 20-minute drive from the city centre of Le Mans. Le Mans Arnage Airport is a 30-minute drive away. Express trains run between Paris and Le Mans in under one hour.