Palais des comtes du Maine, Medieval palace in Old Town, Le Mans, France.

Palais des comtes du Maine stands on the Gallo-Roman south wall of Le Mans, built of light brown and grey stone blocks. A lower section with round arches on massive piers and a long sloped wall carries taller wings under steep dark grey slate roofs, with white-framed dormer windows and a tall red brick chimney. A stone staircase with black metal railings climbs diagonally in front. The great hall collapsed in 1757 and was replaced by the L-shaped city hall.

The building rose from the 11th through 15th centuries and served as a residence for the Counts of Maine and later the Plantagenet family. King Henry II of England was among those who lived within its walls.

The palace's chapel, Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, was built in the 9th century to hold the relics of Scholastica, sister of Saint Benedict and patron saint of Le Mans. Count Hugh I called it his personal chapel in a 970 act, and Elias I of Maine rebuilt it in 1093. Charles II of Anjou later added a two-level chevet modelled on the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. It was deconsecrated at the Revolution and served as a school and then offices in the 19th century.

The building serves as Le Mans city hall today and welcomes visitors to explore public rooms and exhibition areas inside. Check ahead to confirm which sections are accessible during your visit.

Medieval masonry from the 12th century remains visible on the building's exterior, showing what the original structure looked like at that time. These old layers stay exposed and tell the story of how construction happened in stages.