In the centre of Place Washington stands the statue dedicated to Chanzy and the 2nd Army of the Loire. This monument, inaugurated in 1885 on the Place de la République, is the work of sculptors Gustave Crauk and Aristide Croisy. It recounts the defeat of the Second Army of the Loire and General Chanzy, who, despite heroic battles in the Sarthe, had to withdraw to Laval in 1871. France finally lost the war to the Prussians a few months later. In 1970, Chanzy moved to Place Washington.
This square hosts a local market on Fridays. Local shops were also located here. The Touchard and Washington lycées are located on the square. The history of the square is closely linked to that of the church of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc, the former hospital of Coëffort, built under the Plantagenets at the end of the 12th century.
A place of remembrance located on a historic square in the south of Le Mans city centre, on a busy road. Place Washington cuts through the Bollée and Jaurès districts.