Alençon

{{about|the town in France|the needle lace originating here|Alençon lace}} {{Expand French|date=April 2020|topic=geo}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Alençon |native name = {{native name|nrf|Alençoun}} |commune status = Prefecture and commune |image coat of arms = Blason Alençon.svg |image = Hotel de ville Alencon.jpg |caption = The Hôtel de Ville |arrondissement = Alençon |canton = Alençon-1 and 2 |INSEE = 61001 |postal code = 61000 |mayor = Joachim Pueyo<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}</ref> |term = 2020–2026 |intercommunality = Alençon |coordinates = {{coord|48.4306|0.0931|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = 135 |elevation min m = 127 |elevation max m = 152 |area km2 = 10.68 |population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} |population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} |population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} }}

'''Alençon''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|æ|ˈ|l|ɒ̃|s|ɒ̃}},<ref>{{cite Oxford Dictionaries|Alençon}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|æ|l|ɒ̃|ˈ|s|oʊ|n}},<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|Alençon}}</ref> {{IPA|fr|alɑ̃sɔ̃|lang|Fr-Alençon.ogg}}; {{langx|nrf|Alençoun}}) is a commune in Normandy, France, and the capital of the Orne department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/61001-alencon|title=Commune d'Alençon (61001)|publisher=INSEE}}</ref> It is situated between Paris and Rennes (about {{Convert|173|km|mi|0}} west of Paris) and a little over {{Convert|50|km|mi|0}} north of Le Mans. Alençon belongs to the intercommunality of Alençon (around 55,000 people in 2022, of which around 25,000 lived in Alençon).<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1405599?geo=EPCI-246100663+COM-61001 Comparateur de territoire], INSEE. 27 March 2026.</ref>

==History== The name of Alençon is first recorded in a document dated in the seventh century. During the tenth century, Alençon was a buffer state between Normandy and the Maine regions.

In 1049–1051, William Duke of Normandy, later known as William the Conqueror and king of England, laid siege to the town, which had risen in support of the Count of Anjou along with two other towns of the Bellême estates, Domfront (then in Maine) and Bellême (held directly from King Henry I of France). According to Duke William's chaplain and panegyrist, William of Poitiers, the defenders of the fortress refused to surrender and mockingly waved animal hides from the castle walls, referencing William's lineage as the grandson of a tanner. In response, William had the hands and feet of 32 battle captives cut off, prompting a sudden surrender. Upon hearing of this event, the town of Domfront also surrendered.<ref>The Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni, ed. and trans. E. van Houts, 2 vols (Oxford, 1992–95) vol. 2 p. 125</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-william-the-conqueror|title = 10 Things You May Not Know About William the Conqueror| date=29 August 2018 }}</ref>

Alençon was occupied by the English during the Anglo-Norman wars of 1113 to 1203.

The city became the seat of a dukedom in 1415, belonging to the sons of the King of France until the French Revolution, and some of them played important roles in French history: see Duke of Alençon. The French Revolution caused relatively little disorder in this area, although there were some royalist uprisings nearby.

A long-standing local fabric industry gave birth to the town's famous point d'Alençon lace in the 18th century. The economic development of the nineteenth century was based on iron foundries and mills in the surrounding region. In the first half of the twentieth century the city developed a flourishing printing industry.

Alençon was home to Sts. Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie Guérin,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/louis-life/ |title=Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Louis Martin's life |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315125745/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/louis-life/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref name="louiszeliemartin-alencon.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/z%C3%A9lie-s-life/ |title=Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Zelie Martin's life |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315142650/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/z%C3%A9lie-s-life/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web |url=http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/the-life-of-st-th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se/ |title=Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - St. Therese's life |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315143024/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/the-message/the-life-of-st-th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> They were the first spouses in the history of the Catholic Church to be proposed for sainthood as a couple, in 2008. Zélie and Louis were married at the Basilica<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/your-pilgrimage/the-basilica/ |title=Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - The basilica of Notre Dame |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315125831/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/your-pilgrimage/the-basilica/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> of Notre-Dame in Alençon on 13 July 1858 and spent their whole married life in Alençon, where Thérèse was born<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/your-pilgrimage/the-family-home/ |title=Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Alençon, the birthplace of St. Therese |access-date=16 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315125838/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/eng/your-pilgrimage/the-family-home/ |archive-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> in January 1873 and spent her early childhood until the death of her mother in 1877. [http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/cause/ Beatification of Louis and Zelie Martin - Saint Therese of Lisieux]

On 17 June 1940, the German Army occupied Alençon. On [https://www.loc.gov/resource/g5701s.ict21070/?r=-0.227,0.14,1.244,0.51,0 12] August 1944 Alençon was the first French city to be liberated by the 2nd Armored Division of the French Army under General Leclerc, after minor bomb damage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/days/12-august-1944|title=Saturday, 12 August 1944}}</ref>

After the war the population sharply increased and new industries settled. Many of these were related to plastics and the town is now a major plastics educational centre.

==Geography== The river Sarthe flows through the town.<ref name=sandre>{{Sandre|id=M---0060|nom=Sarthe}}</ref> In addition La Briante also flows through the commune.<ref>{{Sandre|id=M0046700|nom=la Briante}}</ref> Alençon along with another 32 communes is part of a 3,503 hectare, Natura 2000 conservation area, called the Haute vallée de la Sarthe.<ref name="inpn">{{Cite web|url=https://inpn.mnhn.fr/site/natura2000/FR2500107|title=INPN - FSD Natura 2000 - FR2500107 - Haute Vallée de la Sarthe - Description|website=inpn.mnhn.fr|access-date=31 August 2024|archive-date=31 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731125405/https://inpn.mnhn.fr/site/natura2000/FR2500107|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Climate===

Alençon benefits from an oceanic climate with mild winters and temperate summers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.climate-data.org/europe/france/lower-normandy/alencon-8259/|title=Alençon climate: Weather Alençon & temperature by month|website=en.climate-data.org}}</ref>

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Alençon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present) |Jan record high C = 17.7 |Feb record high C = 20.1 |Mar record high C = 23.6 |Apr record high C = 28.9 |May record high C = 31.0 |Jun record high C = 37.0 |Jul record high C = 39.8 |Aug record high C = 38.5 |Sep record high C = 34.3 |Oct record high C = 28.5 |Nov record high C = 21.0 |Dec record high C = 16.5 |Jan record low C = -17.4 |Feb record low C = -18.0 |Mar record low C = -9.4 |Apr record low C = -5.2 |May record low C = -2.6 |Jun record low C = 0.3 |Jul record low C = 3.0 |Aug record low C = 2.2 |Sep record low C = 0.0 |Oct record low C = -6.0 |Nov record low C = -10.6 |Dec record low C = -17.0 |Jan high C = 7.4 |Feb high C = 8.6 |Mar high C = 12.0 |Apr high C = 15.2 |May high C = 18.6 |Jun high C = 21.9 |Jul high C = 24.3 |Aug high C = 24.4 |Sep high C = 20.9 |Oct high C = 16.0 |Nov high C = 10.9 |Dec high C = 7.8 | year high C = 15.7 |Jan mean C = 4.7 |Feb mean C = 5.2 |Mar mean C = 7.7 |Apr mean C = 10.1 |May mean C = 13.4 |Jun mean C = 16.6 |Jul mean C = 18.7 |Aug mean C = 18.7 |Sep mean C = 15.5 |Oct mean C = 12.0 |Nov mean C = 7.8 |Dec mean C = 5.0 | year mean C = 11.3 |Jan low C = 2.1 |Feb low C = 1.7 |Mar low C = 3.4 |Apr low C = 5.0 |May low C = 8.3 |Jun low C = 11.3 |Jul low C = 13.0 |Aug low C = 13.0 |Sep low C = 10.2 |Oct low C = 7.9 |Nov low C = 4.7 |Dec low C = 2.3 | year low C = 6.9 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 74.8 |Feb precipitation mm = 56.6 |Mar precipitation mm = 52.8 |Apr precipitation mm = 49.7 |May precipitation mm = 62.0 |Jun precipitation mm = 55.4 |Jul precipitation mm = 50.8 |Aug precipitation mm = 51.4 |Sep precipitation mm = 54.5 |Oct precipitation mm = 72.0 |Nov precipitation mm = 75.9 |Dec precipitation mm = 87.8 |year precipitation mm = 743.7 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 12.3 | Feb precipitation days = 10.5 | Mar precipitation days = 9.9 | Apr precipitation days = 9.4 | May precipitation days = 9.7 | Jun precipitation days = 8.1 | Jul precipitation days = 7.1 | Aug precipitation days = 8.0 | Sep precipitation days = 8.0 | Oct precipitation days = 11.0 | Nov precipitation days = 12.2 | Dec precipitation days = 13.4 | year precipitation days =119.5 |Jan snow days = 3.8 |Feb snow days = 3.8 |Mar snow days = 2.8 |Apr snow days = 1.1 |May snow days = 0.1 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.0 |Nov snow days = 1.3 |Dec snow days = 2.5 |year snow days = 15.4 |Jan humidity = 89 |Feb humidity = 86 |Mar humidity = 81 |Apr humidity = 77 |May humidity = 78 |Jun humidity = 77 |Jul humidity = 76 |Aug humidity = 78 |Sep humidity = 82 |Oct humidity = 88 |Nov humidity = 89 |Dec humidity = 90 |year humidity = 82.6 |Jan sun = 60.4 |Feb sun = 89.2 |Mar sun = 134.0 |Apr sun = 173.6 |May sun = 198.0 |Jun sun = 214.7 |Jul sun = 222.3 |Aug sun = 213.6 |Sep sun = 173.7 |Oct sun = 111.9 |Nov sun = 72.6 |Dec sun = 63.1 |year sun = 1727.1 |source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=61001001 |title=Normales et records pour Alençon (61) |publisher=Meteociel |access-date=20 November 2024 }}</ref> |source 2 = Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web | url = http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07139-alencon-valframbert.html | title = Normes et records 1961-1990: Alençon - Valframbert (61) - altitude 144m | language = fr | publisher = Infoclimat | access-date = 9 January 2016}}</ref> }}

==Population==

{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|397|Alençon}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2023)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-61001#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE</ref> | graph-pos = bottom |1793 |12954 |1800 |12407 |1806 |13222 |1821 |13955 |1836 |13934 |1841 |13917 |1846 |14388 |1851 |14760 |1856 |16473 |1861 |16110 |1866 |16115 |1872 |16037 |1876 |16615 |1881 |17237 |1886 |17550 |1891 |18319 |1896 |17841 |1901 |17270 |1906 |17843 |1911 |17378 |1921 |16249 |1926 |16044 |1931 |16688 |1936 |17731 |1946 |19691 |1954 |21893 |1962 |25584 |1968 |31656 |1975 |33680 |1982 |31608 |1990 |29988 |1999 |28935 |2007 |27942 |2012 |26305 |2017 |25848 |2023 |25490 }}

===Heraldry=== {{Blazon-arms |img1=Blason Alençon.svg |legend1=Arms of Alençon |text=The arms of Alençon are blazoned :<br/>''Azure, a double-headed eagle displayed Or.'' }}

==Economy== In the seventeenth century, Alençon was chiefly noted for its lace called point d'Alençon.

Today, Alençon is home to a prosperous plastics industry, and, since 1993, to a plastics engineering school.

MPO Fenêtres is a local PVC window company established in Alençon in 1970, is one of the first company in Alençon with around 170 employees (2009) and a turnover of 28 million euros in 2008. It is also the oldest French PVC window company still in business.

==Social Housing== The Champ Perrier social housing complex, with its four high-rise buildings, was inaugurated in 1962 and is now facing significant social challenges.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/plus-personne-ne-se-parle-aujourdhui-a-la-rencontre-des-vies-superposees-dans-ces-tours-hlm-dalencon_63040611.html |title=" Plus personne ne se parle aujourd’hui " : à la rencontre des vies superposées dans ces tours HLM d’Alençon |work=Actu.fr |date=17 August 2025|access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>

==Points of interest==

===Museums===

*'''Musée des Beaux-arts et de la Dentelle d'Alençon''' a Museum of France dedicated to point d'Alençon and art, that has been open since 1981.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/a-la-decouverte-du-musee-des-beaux-arts-et-de-la-dentelle-et-ses-pepites_59833321.html|title=À la découverte du musée des Beaux-Arts et de la dentelle d'Alençon et ses " pépites "|date=8 July 2023|website=actu.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/musee-de-france/m0694/alencon-musee-des-beaux-arts-et-de-la-dentelle|title=Musée des beaux-arts et de la dentelle à Alençon - M0694|website=Monumentum}}</ref> *'''Maison natale de Sainte Thérèse''' - birthplace of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, with museum and basilica complex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitalencon.com/alen%C3%A7on-ville-sanctuaire-sainte-th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se|title=Visite Alençon | Alençon ville natale de Sainte Thérèse - Ville sanctuaire|website=Visit Alençon}}</ref>

===National heritage sites===

The Commune has 31 buildings and areas listed as a Monument historique<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/departement/61/orne|title=Les Monuments Historiques en Orne - 61|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref>

*'''Le Château des Ducs''' is a Castle built in the Middle ages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110691/alencon-ancien-chateau|title=Ancien château à Alençon - PA00110691|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Municipal Library''' was a former Jesuit chapel built in 1620, it became the city's library in the 18th century.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110689/alencon-bibliotheque-municipale-ancienne-chapelle-des-jesuites|title=Bibliothèque municipale (ancienne chapelle des Jésuites) à Alençon - PA00110689|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> It was registered as a Monument in 1926.<ref name="auto"/> *'''Prout sawmill and steam engine''' is a former sawmill, built in 1874, it was registered as a monument in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00135513/alencon-batiment-et-machine-a-vapeur-de-lancienne-scierie-prout|title=Bâtiment et machine à vapeur de l'ancienne scierie Prout à Alençon - PA00135513|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Café la Renaissance''', built in 1855 the cafe, its interior decor is inspired by the second French Renaissance, it was registered as a monument in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa61000057/alencon-cafe-la-renaissance|title=Café la Renaissance à Alençon - PA61000057|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel''' is a seventeenth-century chapel, it was registered as a monument in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110690/alencon-chapelle-notre-dame-de-lorette|title=Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Lorette à Alençon - PA00110690|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Alençon''' is a fifteenth-century church, that was registered as a monument in 1862.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110692/alencon-eglise-notre-dame|title=Eglise Notre-Dame à Alençon - PA00110692|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Saint-Pierre church in the Montsor district''' is a church that was built in 1880, it features Mosaics made by the Facchina workshop, it was registered as a monument in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa61000043/alencon-eglise-saint-pierre-du-quartier-de-montsor|title=Eglise Saint-Pierre du quartier de Montsor à Alençon - PA61000043|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''The Wheat Market''' (Halle aux blé) was built in 1812, featuring a 1000 m² glass dome, with a circumference of 110 metres, it was registered as a monument in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110693/alencon-halle-au-ble|title=Halle au blé à Alençon - PA00110693|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/les-mille-vies-de-la-halle-au-ble-dalencon_60010363.html|title=Les mille vies de la Halle au Blé d'Alençon|date=27 August 2023|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *'''Psychiatric hospital''' was built in 1774, and initially built as a hospital for the sick, the destitute, the prisoners and the mentally ill.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110694/alencon-hopital-psychiatrique|title=Hôpital psychiatrique à Alençon - PA00110694|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> After the revolution it was turned into a prison, then becoming a hospice, before finally becoming a psychiatric hospital.<ref name="auto2"/> It was registered as a monument in 1974.<ref name="auto2"/> *'''Le Grand Cerf''' is a nineteenth-century hotel, that was registered as a monument in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa61000056/alencon-hotel-du-grand-cerf|title=Hôtel du Grand Cerf à Alençon - PA61000056|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Hotel Libert''' is a hotel dating back to the 18th century, registered as a monument in 1947.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110696/alencon-hotel-libert|title=Hôtel Libert à Alençon - PA00110696|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Hotel Radigue''' is a hotel dating back to the 18th century, registered as a monument in 1960.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110697/alencon-hotel-radigue|title=Hôtel Radigue à Alençon - PA00110697|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> The hotel was mentioned in the Honoré de Balzac novel La Vieille Fille.<ref name="auto3"/> *'''Hôtel de la préfecture''', formerly known as the '''Hôtel de Guise''' is a hotel (a hotel in France usually means a large building that now houses some sort of office, in this case the prefecture) dating back to the seventeenth century, registered as a monument in 1903.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110695/alencon-hotel-de-la-prefecture-ancien-hotel-de-guise|title=Hôtel de la préfecture (ancien Hôtel de Guise) à Alençon - PA00110695|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''The Hôtel de Ville''' dates back to 1788 and was registered as a monument in 1926.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110698/alencon-hotel-de-ville|title=Hôtel de ville à Alençon - PA00110698|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://baguette.over-blog.net/article-alen-on-56708752.html|title=Alençon|publisher=Le Baguette|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref> *'''Saint-Pierre de Montsort Presbytery''' is a former hotel that might have served as a presbytery, it was built in 1639 and was listed as a monument in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110710/alencon-presbytere-saint-pierre-de-montsort|title=Presbytère Saint-Pierre de Montsort à Alençon - PA00110710|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Saint-Léonard Lodging house''' is a seventeenth-century house, designated as a monument in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110705/alencon-logis-saint-leonard|title=Logis Saint-Léonard à Alençon - PA00110705|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Pesche Pharmacy''' is a nineteenth-century building with neo-classical decor very characteristic of the 1820s-1830s, it was listed as a monument in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110709/alencon-pharmacie-pesche|title=Pharmacie Pesche à Alençon - PA00110709|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''Tribunal de commerce''' is a fifteenth-century building used as a court house for Commercial matters, it was registered as a monument in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110712/alencon-tribunal-de-commerce|title=Tribunal de commerce à Alençon - PA00110712|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''City Ramparts''' remains of the old sixteenth-century ramparts, reworked on in the nineteenth century, they were listed as a monument in 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110711/alencon-vestiges-des-remparts|title=Vestiges des remparts à Alençon - PA00110711|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> *'''House of Ozé''' a fifteenth-century house, built entirely from granite.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/monument-historique/pa00110706/alencon-maison-doze|title=Maison d'Ozé à Alençon - PA00110706|website=monumentum.fr}}</ref> The house was registered as a monument in 1903, and now acts as the Tourist office for the Commune.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/alencon-61000/en-images-alencon-vu-des-fenetres-de-la-maison-d-oze-5921650|title=EN IMAGES. Alençon vu des fenêtres de la Maison d'Ozé|first=Rose|last=NICOLAS|date=13 August 2018|website=Ouest-France.fr}}</ref>

There are a further eleven private buildings and houses listed as monuments with the commune.<ref name="auto5"/>

===Architecture contemporaine remarquable===

The Commune has 3 buildings listed as being Architecture contemporaine remarquable<ref name="auto5"/>

*'''Former bus station''' - The bus station was built in 1958 and designed by architect Roger Vissuzaine, in 2007 it was awarded the Architecture contemporaine remarquable label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/architecture-contemporaine-remarquable/acr0000866/alencon-ancienne-gare-routiere-actuellement-pepiniere-dentreprise-et-bureaux-de-france-3-basse-normandie|title=Ancienne gare routière, actuellement pépinière d’entreprise et bureaux de France 3 Basse-Normandie à Alençon - ACR0000866|website=Monumentum}}</ref> *'''Water tower''' - Designed by architect Maurice Novarina in 1964, in 2007 it was awarded the Architecture contemporaine remarquable label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/architecture-contemporaine-remarquable/acr0000867/alencon-chateau-deau|title=Château d'eau à Alençon - ACR0000867|website=Monumentum}}</ref> *'''Moulinex Building''' - former building belonging to Moulinex and designed by architects Maurice Novarina in 1964, 2007 saw the building awarded the Architecture contemporaine remarquable label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monumentum.fr/architecture-contemporaine-remarquable/acr0000868/alencon-immeuble-moulinex|title=Immeuble Moulinex à Alençon - ACR0000868|website=Monumentum}}</ref>

==Education== <!--This is the original entry, which is no longer active, although you can probably still view it on the Wayback Machine. France has it's own system of education which I have tried to represent here

{{cite web | url=http://www.chercherecole.com/Ecole/chercher-ecole.html?ville_widget=Alen%C3%A7on | title=Écoles | access-date=3 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103554/http://www.chercherecole.com/Ecole/chercher-ecole.html?ville_widget=alen%C3%A7on | archive-date=2 April 2015 | url-status=dead }}

{{cite web | url=http://www.chercherecole.com/College/chercher-college.html?ville_widget=Alen%C3%A7on | title=Collèges | access-date=3 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091656/http://www.chercherecole.com/College/chercher-college.html?ville_widget=Alen%C3%A7on | archive-date=2 April 2015 | url-status=dead }}

{{cite web | url=http://www.chercherecole.com/Lycee/chercher-lycee.html?ville_widget=Alen%C3%A7on | title=Lycées | access-date=3 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154329/http://www.chercherecole.com/Lycee/chercher-lycee.html?ville_widget=alen%C3%A7on | archive-date=2 April 2015 | url-status=dead }}-->

=== Primary education === Alençon has 16 elementary schools (Écoles élémentaire, these are typical of France, see the article in the French Wikipedia), of which 12 are public and 4 are private.

=== Secondary education === * Alençon has 6 colleges, 4 of which are public and 2 are private. * Alençon also has several ''lycées'', some of which are public and some are private. * There are also 2 schools which provide vocational education.

=== Higher education === * Alençon has a branch of the University of Caen Normandy, specifically for law and engineering. * There is also a technical university. * There is a training institute for teachers (''Institut national supérieur du professorat et de l'éducation'')

==Transport== Alençon is linked by the A28 autoroute (motorway/freeway) with the nearby cities of Le Mans to the south (Sarthe) and Rouen (Seine-Maritime) to the north. The A88 autoroute links the A28 just north of Alençon to the coastal port of Caen.

The Alençon railway station offers regional services towards Caen, Le Mans and Tours.<ref>[https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gare/frxan/alencon Votre gare : Alençon], SNCF</ref> A comprehensive town bus system operates from 7:00 to 19:00.

'''Aérodrome d'Alençon - Valframbert''' is an Aerodrome within the commune which is also shared with neighbouring communes of Valframbert and Cerisé that opened in 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/histoire-alencon-a-t-elle-rate-le-train-de-l-aviation_42272285.html|title=Histoire. Alençon a-t-elle raté le train de l'aviation ?|date=1 June 2021|website=actu.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alen%C3%A7on+-+Valframbert+Airport/@48.4410765,0.0813213,14z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x47e20b7e7ae11fff:0x7d8429d95e5d1f4!2sAlen%C3%A7on,+France!3b1!8m2!3d48.432856!4d0.091266!16zL20vMDF6eHo1!3m5!1s0x47e20c843bc963d5:0xdf9e2d4f763cc90f!8m2!3d48.4443957!4d0.1091226!16s/g/121sfn1y?entry=ttu|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref> Its IATA airport code is XAN and its ICAO airport code is LFOF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-airport-codes.com/france/alencon-valframbert-70566.html|title=Alençon Valframbert - France|website=World Airport Codes}}</ref>

There is a comprehensive network of cycle paths.

==Sport==

*Alencon has a football team US Alençon who play at the Jacques Fould stadium.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/alencon-61000/alencon-un-million-d-euros-pour-securiser-le-stade-jacques-fould-5838645|title=Alençon. Un million d'euros pour sécuriser le stade Jacques-Fould|first=François|last=BOSCHER|date=21 June 2018|website=Ouest-France.fr}}</ref> *Hippodrome d'Alençon is a racecourse that specializes in Harness racing, it has been in operation since 1825.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Notable people== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *Adela of Ponthieu, Countess of Surrey (c. 1110–1174)<ref>Cokayne, George Edward (1953) ''The Complete Peerage'', Vol. XII/1 London: St. Catherine Press. p. 497 note (i)</ref> *Anne d'Alençon (1492–1562), marquise of Montferrat<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ljallamion.fr/spip.php?article10355|title=Anne d’Alençon - Bienvenue sur mon site historique. Bon surf L'histoire pour le plaisir /body|website=www.ljallamion.fr}}</ref> *Marie-Catherine de Villedieu (1640–1683), novelist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebsco.com/|title=Madame de Villedieu | Biography | Research Starters | EBSCO Research|website=EBSCO}}</ref> *Pierre Allix (1641–1717), Protestant pastor and author<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huguenotsofspitalfields.org/famoushuguenots/allix-pierre/|title=ALLIX, Pierre}}</ref> *Jean Castaing (1723–1805), printer, playwright lived and died here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaia.orne.fr/mdr/index.php/docnumViewer/calculHierarchieDocNum/388583/1057:357811:379029:388583/768/1366|title=GAIA 9 : moteur de recherche|website=gaia.orne.fr}}</ref> *Léonard Bourdon (1754–1807), revolutionist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/sycomore/fiche/12343|title=Léonard, Louis, Jean, Joseph Bourdon de la Cronière - Base de données des députés français depuis 1789 - Assemblée nationale|website=www2.assemblee-nationale.fr}}</ref> *Jacques Hébert (1757–1794), editor of the extreme radical newspaper ''Le Père Duchesne'' during the French Revolution<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/alencon-61000/alencon-le-coup-de-coeur-du-greeter-la-cour-jacques-rene-hebert-6485089 |title=Alençon. Le coup de cœur du greeter : la cour Jacques-René Hébert |website=Ouest-France |access-date=29 March 2026}}</ref> *Louis de Frotté (1766–1800), Chouan general<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patrimoinenormand.com/article-149619-louis-de-frotte.html|title=Louis de Frotté, chef de la chouannerie normande|first=Ange|last=Leclerc-Keroullé|date=17 April 2011}}</ref> *Jean Pierre François Bonet, Military commander<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.landrucimetieres.fr/spip/spip.php?article3615 | title=ALENÇON (61) : Cimetière Notre-Dame - Cimetières de France et d'ailleurs }}</ref> *Edme Castaing (1796–1824), doctor and murderer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-mild-mannered-murderer-from-alencon/|title=The mild mannered murderer, from Alençon|first=Normandy Then and|last=Now|date=28 November 2015}}</ref> *Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière (1755–1834), botanist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.carnivorousplants.org/about/Awards/JacquesLabillardiere|title=Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière | ICPS|website=www.carnivorousplants.org}}</ref> *Auguste Poulet-Malassis (1825–1878), publisher and friend of Baudelaire<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/alencon-61000/alencon-avant-apres-la-place-poulet-malassis-6461684 |title=Alençon. Avant / après : la place Poulet-Malassis |website=Ouest-France |access-date=30 March 2026}}</ref> *Juste Lisch (1828–1910), architect<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/artworks/statue-de-femme-en-italie-105961|title=Statue de femme en Italie - Juste Lisch | Musée d'Orsay|website=www.musee-orsay.fr}}</ref> *Marie-Azélie Guérin Martin<ref name="louiszeliemartin-alencon.com"/> (1831–1877), the mother of St. Thérèse of Lisieux who, along with her husband Louis Martin,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> is one of the few married couples ever to be beatified by the Catholic Church. *Raoul Le Mouton de Boisdeffre (1839–1919), general<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mahj.org/fr/decouvrir-collections-betsalel/le-general-de-boisdeffre-29641|title=Le général de Boisdeffre, Paris, France, 19e siècle, 4e quart | Musée d’art et d’histoire du Judaïsme|date=23 December 2021|website=www.mahj.org}}</ref> *Éléonore-Aglaé-Marie Despierres (1843–1895), historian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.bnf.fr/fr/ark:/12148/cb13486207b|title=Éléonore-Aglaé-Marie Despierres (1843-1895)|website=data.bnf.fr}}</ref> *Adolphe Gérard (1844–1900), American restaurateur<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hoteldeparismuseum.org/history/|title=History}}</ref> *Adhémar Leclère (1853–1917), author<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.bnf.fr/fr/ark:/12148/cb12515791s|title=Adhémard Leclère (1853-1917)|website=data.bnf.fr}}</ref> *Georges de Lagarenne (1856 - 1929), an equestrian<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/11833|title=Olympedia – Georges de Lagarenne|website=www.olympedia.org}}</ref> *Thérèse de Lisieux (1873–1897), Roman Catholic nun and saint,<ref name="ReferenceB"/> and one of only 33 Doctors of the Church *Louis Barillet (1880–1948), glass blower<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/ressources/artists-personalities-catalog/louis-barillet-1896|title=Louis Barillet (1896) | Musée d'Orsay|website=www.musee-orsay.fr}}</ref> *André Couder (1897–1979), astronomer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/andre-couder-un-alenconnais-dans-la-lune_7228396.html|title=André Couder, un Alençonnais dans la Lune|date=13 March 2017|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Christian Beauvalet (1929 - 2022), a modern pentathlete was born here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/34735|title=Olympedia – Christian Beauvalet|website=www.olympedia.org}}</ref> *Pierre Papillaud, (1935 – 2017) a French billionaire businessman died here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lemans.maville.com/actu/actudet_-ardenay-sur-merize.-pierre-papillaud-est-decede_52734-3223751_actu.Htm|title=Ardenay-sur-Mérize. Pierre Papillaud est décédé|website=lemans.maville.com}}</ref> *Alain Lambert (born 1946), politician<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/politique/orne-alain-lambert-commandeur-de-la-legion-d-honneur_43176579.html|title=Orne. Alain Lambert, Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur|date=4 July 2021|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Daniel Balavoine (1952–1986), singer and songwriter<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/ne-en-normandie-mort-de-balavoine-il-y-a-30-ans-lannonce-de-sa-mort-a-alencon_629682.html|title=Né en Normandie. Mort de Balavoine, il y a 30 ans. L'annonce de sa mort, à Alençon|date=14 January 2016|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Fabrice Poullain (born 1962), footballer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/societe/je-ne-garde-que-le-positif-fabrice-poullain-revient-sur-sa-carriere-de-footballeur-pro_60838356.html|title=« Je ne garde que le positif », Fabrice Poullain revient sur sa carrière de footballeur pro|date=19 March 2024|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Anne Consigny (born 1963), actress<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/lactrice-anne-consigny-raconte-enfance-ornaise-pays-dalencon_13381068.html|title=L'actrice Anne Consigny raconte son enfance ornaise en pays d'Alençon|date=14 November 2017|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Yoann (born 1971), graphic artist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dupuis.com//auteurbd/yoann/652|title=Yoann, auteur de BD : Le Spirou de ... - Spirou et Fantasio - SuperGroom - Éditions Dupuis|website=Les Éditions Dupuis}}</ref> *Laurence Leboucher (born 1972), cyclist<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/fresnay-sur-sarthe-72130/dans-le-nord-de-la-sarthe-laurence-leboucher-donne-son-nom-a-ce-complexe-sportif-84032742-176b-11ef-bc95-45bef12360c5 |title=Dans le nord de la Sarthe, Laurence Leboucher donne son nom à ce complexe sportif |website=Ouest-France |access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref> *Lorànt Deutsch (born 1975), actor and writer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0222088/ |title=Lorànt Deutsch |website=IMDb |access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref> *Benoît Tréluyer (born 1976), car racer, two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/lalenconnais-benoit-treluyer-a-cree-son-ecurie-de-course-avec-son-fils-au-volant_60700884.html|title=L’Alençonnais Benoît Tréluyer a créé son écurie de course avec son fils au volant|date=15 February 2024|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Jonathan Cochet (born 1977), car racer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/jonathan-cochet|title=Driver: Jonathan Cochet | Driver Database|website=www.driverdb.com}}</ref> *Jérôme Hiaumet (born 1979), footballer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/caen_14118/ex-de-malherbe-jerome-hiaumet-le-plaisir-de-la-formation_40850011.html|title=Ex de Malherbe. Jérôme Hiaumet, le plaisir de la formation|date=12 April 2021|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Anthony Geslin (born 1980), cyclist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/anthony-geslin|title=Anthony Geslin|website=www.procyclingstats.com}}</ref> *Orelsan (born 1982), rapper<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4765550/ |title=Orelsan |website=IMDb |access-date=1 April 2026}}</ref> *Arnold Mvuemba (born 1985), footballer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/31308/Arnold_Mvuemba.html|title=Arnold Mvuemba (Player)|first=Benjamin|last=Strack-Zimmermann|website=www.national-football-teams.com}}</ref> *Maxime Blanchard (born 1986), footballer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur25700.html|title=Fiche de Maxime Blanchard (), l'actu le palmares et les stats de Maxime Blanchard|website=L'Équipe}}</ref> *Agnès Raharolahy (born 1992), athlete specialising in the 400 metres and 800 metres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/jo-2016-une-alenconnaise-sur-les-pistes-de-rio_7306717.html|title=JO 2016 : une Alençonnaise sur les pistes de Rio|date=9 August 2016|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Lucas Corvée (born 1993) a badminton player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/la-tete-de-lannee-2024-a-alencon-lucas-corvee-olympien-de-derniere-minute_62060867.html|title=La tête de l'année 2024 à Alençon : Lucas Corvée, olympien de dernière minute|date=31 December 2024|website=actu.fr}}</ref> *Jordan Corvée (born 1995), is a badminton player<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com/zh-cn/player/88804/jordan-corvee|title=Jordan CORVEE | Profile|website=bwfworldtourfinals.bwfbadminton.com}}</ref> *Rémy Vita (born 2001), footballer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://actu.fr/normandie/alencon_61001/ce-footballeur-originaire-dalencon-participe-a-la-coupe-dafrique-des-nations_63630581.html|title=Ce footballeur originaire d’Alençon participe à la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations|date=29 December 2025|website=actu.fr}}</ref> {{div col end}}

==Twin towns – sister cities== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}} Alençon is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Jumelages|url=http://www.alencon.fr/mes-sortiesmon-temps-libre/vie-associative/jumelages/|website=alencon.fr|publisher=Alençon|language=fr|access-date=2021-04-20|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118111800/http://www.alencon.fr/mes-sortiesmon-temps-libre/vie-associative/jumelages/|url-status=dead}}</ref> *{{flagicon|ENG}} Basingstoke and Deane, England, United Kingdom *{{flagicon|GER}} Quakenbrück, Germany

==Gallery== <gallery> Halle aux bles Alencon.jpg|''{{lang|fr|La Halle aux Blé}}'' Chateau des Ducs Alencon.jpg|''{{lang|fr|Château des Ducs}}'' Bibliotheque alencon 670px.jpg|Library </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Alençon}} {{Commons category}} *[http://www.alencon.fr/ Official website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100815014457/http://www.paysdalencontourisme.com/welcome_857_fr.html Alençon Tourist Office] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130515053947/http://www.louiszeliemartin-alencon.com/ Shrine of Alençon: pilgrimage on the steps of St. Therese and her parents, the blessed Louis and Zelie Martin]}} *[http://www.thereseoflisieux.org Website about the life, writings, spirituality, and mission of St. Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face; information about the life of her family in Alençon and about pilgrimages to Alençon]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alencon}} Category:Communes of Orne Category:Prefectures in France Category:Horse racing venues in France Category:Museums in Orne Category:Monuments historiques of Orne Category:Orne communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia Category:Sport in Orne