Alencon: virtual tour

Virtual tour in Alencon

See more presentations by kf | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

Mont Saint Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel and its abbey on the border between Normandy and Brittany, is one of the most famous sites in UNESCO World Heritage listing.

At the foot of the abbey stands the village with its fortified enclosure - built on sand! The abbey is built around the granite apex of the Mount. The ‘Wonder' (13th century) is a masterpiece of monastic architecture with two sets of buildings on three levels of the slope. The entire bay, with the strongest tides in Europe, lies spread out around your feet from the abbey.

Saint Ceneri

St-Ceneri-le-Gerei is found in the Orne department of Normandy to the south-west of Alencon.

A very pretty village in a lovely wooded setting on a bend in the River Sarthe in the heart of southern Normandy, Saint Ceneri is classified as a 'most beautiful village of France'. The village is very popular with artists, drawn by the unspoiled character of the village and several artists have established galleries and workshops here.

There are some pretty houses along the river banks - the two banks are joined by an old bridge.

The village has an attractive 11th century romanesque style church, with some notable frescoes, and pretty views down the river valley. There is a very little 15th century chapel on the other side of the river. Nearby the Gardens at La Mansoniere are also recommended, with several different 'garden rooms' to be explored.

Alençon

Alençon is a commune in Normandy, France, with 52,000 people, capital of the Orne department. It is situated 169 km west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the intercommunality of Alençon (with 52,000 people). Alençon is located in the Orne department, towards the south of the Normandy region and north of Le Mans.

An important town in the 10th-11th centuries, Alencon is best known as an important centre for lace production. Alençon Lace was the most expensive lace in the world! It was light and airy, yet durable. Although the industry is not very active nowadays the story is recounted in the town's 'museum of fine arts and lacemaking'.

The attractive centre of the town features a historical section with some interesting half-timbered and ornate stone buildings lining the streets, and numerous small architectural highlights, and is very enjoyable to explore. The part of the town on the Sarthe river is also attractive. There is also a good selection of cafes and restaurants.

In Alencon the highlights include:

• the 19th century circular wheat hall
• the 15th century castle - it is mostly the castle towers that now remain, and part of the walls (the Chateau des Ducs), forming an impressive entranceway
• the impressive 18th century town hall with its tower.
• the Church of Notre-Dame
• the town hall also has an attractive well-maintained garden, and there are various other pretty parks and gardens scattered around the town, along with fountains etc