MANS, IIlib:, LE. The capital of the Depart ment of Sarthe, and formerly of the Province of Maine in Northwestern France. It is situated in the centre of the department, on both sides of the river Scathe, 116 miles (132 miles by rail) southwest of Paris (Map: France, G 3). It is an old town, hut has many wide streets and avenues, some of recent construction, and several parks and promenades. The must notable build ing is the Cathedral of Saint .Julien. which is one of the most beautiful churches of France. It was built in the period between the eleventh and the fifteenth centuries, and has a magnificent choir built in pure Gothic style. It holds the tomb of Derengaria, the Queen of Richard Coeur de-Lion. The Church of Notre Dame de la Cou ture is also notable. The town has a seminary, two normal schools, and a public library. con taining 53,000 volumes. There are also excellent museums of natural history, art, and areffieology. The principal manufactures are chemicals, es pecially sulphuric acid, tobacco, sail-eloth, in struments and clocks, chocolate, and candles.
There is a chamber of commerce and of agricul ture, and the town has considerable trade in cattle, poultry, eggs, fruit, grain, and wine. Population of the commune, in 1891, 57,412: in 1901, 63,272, with 52,902 in the city proper.
Le Mans existed before the Roman conquest. Its original name was Vindinum. It was the chief city of the Cenomani, from whom it received its present name. It was fortified by the Romans, and became one of the most important cities of the Frankish Kingdom. It was taken by William the Conqueror in 1063, and suffered many sieges during the long Anglo-French wars. The Ven deans were defeated here in December, 1793, and the city subjected to a massacre. In 1871 it was the scene of the defeat of Chanzy's army by the Germans under Prince Frederick Charles. in a battle lasting from the 10th to the 12th of Janu ary.