A little history ....
For 10 years, Cénovia has been contributing to the attractiveness of the port and its river.
Cénovia is responsible for delegating the public service at the Port of Le Mans, with the aim of developing this activity in conjunction with river tourism.
1216
Originally...
The port of Le Mans was established at a place called Richedoué in Le Mans. It appears in the sources from 1219 onwards through the presence of two mills, owned by the bishops of Le Mans.
1826
The navigable Sarthe river
In 1826, a royal decree decided to make the part of the Sarthe running through Le Mans navigable. Work on the port began in 1829 under the direction of engineer Dumas. It was financed by the State, but placed under the authority of Eugène Mancel, Prefect of the Sarthe.
1840
Inauguration of the port
The port and all its facilities were inaugurated in 1840. The Port of Le Mans was built following the famines of the 18th century to bring goods to the city. As soon as work was completed in 1847, river traffic on the Sarthe intensified.
1854
The Arrival of the Train and the Decline of the Port
The arrival and rapid expansion of the train and its network put an end to an ambitious project to link the port of Le Mans to that of Caen by channelling the Sarthe to Alençon and the Orne to Caen. The port of Le Mans would thus have been at the centre of a waterway stretching from the Atlantic to the English Channel. Work was carried out to revive activity by extending the river routes accessible from the Port of Le Mans, but to no avail. Poor maintenance of the river and the First World War worsened the situation and the port was abandoned for a long period.
1990-2000
Renaissance of the port
It was at the end of the 20th century that the port's activity was revitalised with the construction of a harbour master's office, secure pontoons and the installation of a number of facilities. The Port of Le Mans then became a marina, marking the birth of river tourism in Le Mans. Until 2000, tourist trips were made on fly boats along the Sarthe, discovering a unique and remarkable heritage. Le Mans became the starting point for an exceptional river tour.
Depuis 2016
Cénovia and the development of the port
In 2016, Cénovia became the delegated operator of the port of Le Mans on behalf of Le Mans Métropole. The aim is to boost the attractiveness of the port and the river, making it a lively place and a popular tourist destination. Today, the port of Le Mans welcomes visitors for trips in electric boats without a licence, yachtsmen for stopovers and residents who live there all year round. Throughout the year, Le Mans Métropole, in collaboration with Cénovia and local associations, organises events that have become emblematic, such as the traditional "Christmas in the Port"!