Carré Plantagenêt, archaeological museum in Saint-Nicolas, Le Mans, France
Carré Plantagenêt is an archaeological museum in the center of Le Mans that focuses on the region's history from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. The building blends modern design with a restored historic printing works and organizes artifacts like coins, pottery, and tools into five thematic exhibition sections.
The museum opened in 2009 with the goal of preserving and sharing local history based on excavations since the 1970s. Its collections document the region's development from early humans through ancient tribes and Roman times to the medieval era of the Plantagenet family.
The museum's name comes from the Plantagenets, the dynasty of the Counts of Maine whose palace stands just opposite the building. The permanent collection is arranged in five periods, from prehistory to the medieval Maine, and a room holds six recumbent tomb figures, four of them from the former abbey of Étival-en-Charnie.
The museum stands on the site of the former Monnoyer printing works, facing the palace of the Counts of Maine. It is reached by tram line T2 at the Jacobins - Quinconces stop. Inside, 1,400 m² hold the permanent collections and 300 m² the temporary exhibitions, and a 120-seat auditorium hosts events.
Among the museum's key pieces are the Sablons treasure, the shroud of Saint-Bertrand, the Plantagenet enamel and the Coëffort silver treasure. One room holds six recumbent tomb figures, four of them from the former abbey of Étival-en-Charnie.
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