Alençon

Alençon (French pronunciation: [a.lɑ̃.sɔ̃]) is a commune in Normandy, France, capital of the Orne department.

Understand

Alençon is a restored gem. A visit is like travelling through time. Among its centuries-old highlights are the circular wheat market, home to exhibitions beneath its magnificent glass dome; the Halle aux Toiles, now a meeting venue; and the recently restored Jesuit church. Cobbled streets lead you from the town centre to the medieval quarter nearby, passing half timbered houses, Notre Dame Church, the Dukes' castle and the Town Hall.

Some may have heard of Point d'Alençon a rare needle point lace making technique that originated in Alençon. UNESCO have included the craftsmanship of Alençon needle lace-makingin the "Representative List of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Genuine Alençon lace is expensive and a lot of the lower cost offerings are machine made imitations often from China. True Alençon lace is hand made and takes many hours of work to make even a sq cm.

See

• ⊙Château des Ducs d'Alençon, Duke's Castle. (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Alençon. Daily 09:00-18:00. Free. (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙L'Eglise des Jésuites, pl Foch, 61014 Alençon. Tu 13:30:18:00. W 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-18:00. Th 13:30-18:00. Fr 13:30-18:30. Sa 10:00-17:00. Free. (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙Musée des Beaux-arts et de la Dentelle d'Alençon (Museum of Fine Arts and Lace of Alençon), Cour Carrée de la Dentelle, 61000 Alençon, ☎ +33 233 324007. The National Lace Workshops is next door to the museum and sells small samples of Alençon lace in the museum shop. 4.10€ (reduced and group rates available). (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙Maison à l'Étal , 10 rue de la Porte-de-la-Barre, 61000 Alençon. (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙ Maison d'Ozé
• ⊙ Halle aux Blés

Sleep

Inside the range of 4 km:

• ⊙   Chambre dʹhôtes La Hulotte et Grand Duc, Alençon, PC IV - V

  Closed courtyard.

• ⊙   Hôtel des Ducs, Alençon, PC IV - V

  "... We confirm that we have a bike room locked in the evenings."

• ⊙   Hôtel Le Normandie, Alençon, PC II - III

  "... our hotel also has a secure room to store your bike during your stay."

• ⊙   Chambre dʹhôtes Saint Germain, Saint-Germain-du-Corbeïs, PC III

  Lockable room.

• ⊙   Chambre dʹhôtes Château des Requêtes, Valframbert, PC V - VI

  "... We have several possibilities to secure your bikes including a garage and a shelter which can be locked and also a large entrance hall at the level of the orangery which is also locked."

Useful

Inside the range of 4 km:

• ⊙   Office de Tourisme Alençon, Alençon