Le Mans, a photo from Pays-de-la-Loire, West

Photographer's Note

Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department (Pays de la Loire region) and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Its inhabitants are called Manceaux and Mancelles. It has been host to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race since 1923.

First mentioned by Ptolemy, the Roman city Vindinium was the capital of the Aulerci, a sub tribe of the Aedui. Le Mans is also known as Civitas Cenomanorum (City of the Cenomani). Their city, seized by the Romans in 47 BC, lies in the ancient Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. An amphitheatre built in the third century AD is still visible, but the thermae were demolished during the crisis of the third century to build the city's walls, which remain some of the most complete circuit of Gallo-Roman city walling that survives.

As the principal city of Maine, Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the eleventh century between the counts of Anjou and the dukes of Normandy. When the Normans had control of Maine, William the Conqueror was able to invade England successfully; however in 1069 the citizens revolted and expelled the Normans, which led to Hugh being proclaimed count of Maine. Geoffrey V of Anjou married Mathilde in the cathedral, where Henry II Plantagenet, king of England, was baptised.

The city retains a well-preserved old town dating from the medieval period (known as the Cité Plantagenêt or Vieux Mans), where the cobbled streets and half-timbered house fronts provided the setting for Gérard Depardieu in the 1989 film of Cyrano de Bergerac. Most of the pictures in this series were taken in Vieux Mans in rather dreary weather unfortunately.

The above information was extracted from a fairly lengthy article on Wikipedia that can be accessed by clicking here.

ikeharel, timecapturer, delpeoples, Royaldevon, Cricri, Budapestman, jlbrthnn, Charo, pierrefonds has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (57626) 2011-12-18 0:36

Bonjour Steph,une prise de vue tres jolie pour creer une composition tres tres riche,magnifique perpsective et haute saturation aussi dans une difficile lumiere de la journee' nuageuse,mes compliments et belle Dimanche,Luciano

dkmurphys (36801) 2011-12-18 0:39

Hi Stephen,
A very beautiful composition along that riverside. Picturesque old buildings and the fine atmosphere of an autumn day.
Well composed, have a nice day.

rodgerg (55767) 2011-12-18 1:13

Hello Stephen,

Un POV très bien choisi avec la Sarthe à l'avant-plan qui donne de la profondeur et guide le regard vers les maisons. En chemin on découvre les bateaux qui donnent du rythme et du dynamisme à la vue.
Bon dimanche,
Roger

timecapturer (30324) 2011-12-18 3:21

Hi Stephen
beautiful shot of this wonderful old town. Love the warm colours of the buildings and the intriguing little boats on the water. The splash of red from the barge gives added interest and depth to the image. Well done!

Enjoy a peaceful Sunday - regards Brian.

Fis2 (73100) 2011-12-18 3:26

Witaj Stephen!
Interesting city, curious architecture.
Nice view and climate.
I like tower...
Have a nice sunday
Krzysztof

delpeoples (44904) 2011-12-18 3:54

Hi Stephen

As yes, you mentioned the other day you were heading off to Le Mans for a while. I hope you enjoyed it. We don't often see this city on TE, so thanks for sharing it. I really like the POV here which shows the city off beautifully. Excellent light management, pin-sharpness and beautiful little reflections on the ripples of the water.

Have a great Sunday
Lisa

Royaldevon (17791) 2011-12-18 4:15

Good Morning Stephen,

You haven't been blessed with wonderful light, for this shot, but despite that, the images are crisp and sharp. You have a nice composition with the diagonal lines leading into the shot.
That colourful barge adds a bit of vivacity.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2011-12-18 4:40

Hello Stephen,

The barge is the real eye catcher here. Lovely red and yellow colors. The small sail boats also draw the attention. The background view is very nice. A well composed image.

Lakshmi

mauro61 (52527) 2011-12-18 4:56

ciao Stephen,
bella immagine di questo tratto della cittadina francese che si affaccia sul fiume.
Buona la gestione della luce in una giornata nuvolosa,
saluti
maurizio

ChrisJ (86862) 2011-12-18 6:47

Hi Stephen,

I like the repetition of the little sailboats that apparently act also as markers for the buoys? Good pastel colors & excellent sharpness & framing. I also like the angled perspective of the buildings & shoreline across the water. Tfs! Have a safe & happy Xmas!

digbymerry (3998) 2011-12-18 7:43

Hello Stephen

Despite the wintery feel there is a lot of colour and depth in this photo. Excellent detail in the houses and very well composed. There is interest throughout the photo from the little boats at the bottom to the rendition of the sky above.

Best wishes

Digby

Cricri (86431) 2011-12-18 10:25

Hi Stephen
Une jolie vue de la ville avec le bateau colorée, une très jolie composition avec une lumière du moment bien préservé et qui donne malgré tout de très belles couleurs
Belle soirée
cricri

Budapestman (82620) 2011-12-18 13:16

Hi Stephen,
a picturesqu view with spectacular composition and many attractive details, very nice POV and depth, Tfs! Have a nice Sunday evening! Kellemes Vasárnap estét kívánok!
György

DjoleEric (0) 2011-12-18 13:44

Hi Stephen.
Good work.
Beautiful colors and sharpness, great screen image
and perspectives.
Hello.
Djole.

jlbrthnn (79773) 2011-12-18 15:04

Bonjour Stephen,
Une photo bien choisie sur cette ville, avec un excellent cadrage et une bonne profondeur. La lumière et les couleurs sont agréables. J'espère que tu as pu découvrir de très bonnes tables. Bravo.
Bonne nuit
Amicalement
Joël

Charo (51174) 2011-12-18 15:50

Bonsoir Stephen,
La perspective est une belle ville avec ses toits d'ardoise magnifique architecture traditionnelle.
J'aime le contraste qui donne les petits bateaux dans la rivière.
Excellente profondeur et de détail.
Amitiés,
Charo

pierrefonds (48347) 2011-12-18 17:32

Hi Stephen,

The distance between the small boats and the shore is giving depth to the composition. The point of view ios showing the details and colors of the buildings and houses of this area of the city. The afternoon light is giving nice tints to the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

cargus (6456) 2011-12-18 23:22

Un peysage magnifique, de belles couleurs, bien encadré et rendu, image bien fait.!!
cordialement
Adrian

emka (58140) 2011-12-18 23:40

Hi Stephen, pity the weather was not more favourable but in spite of this you have nice colours here. Beautiful houses on the river (I do not see any half timbered ones though). Funny small sailing boats. are they real or toys?

WArm regards

Malgo

dale54 (4922) 2011-12-19 5:28