The making of a Saint, Alençon, France
Not so well trodden
The next stop on our Normandy road trip after Caen was the town of Alençon, before planning this trip I had never actually heard of Alençon, but we often like to throw in a less obvious town, to make the adventure a little bit more unique.
Maison D'Oze and Cathedral
This was originally going to be our final stop in Normandy, but as it has been ten years since Gary & I was last in this region, I couldn’t resist adding a cheeky night in Honfleur on our return journey.
Not that Gary took much persuading.
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Suisse Normande Trail
However, as usual, we never like to take the direct route, so we headed south from Caen and picked up the 65k (40-mile) Suisse Normande tourist trail, that runs along the River Orne.
Auberge de la Suisse Normande
The route takes you through some very rural locations, passing by lovely small towns & villages and over the fantastic landscape, from which you can see for miles.
La Suisse Normande
Flowers on the route Suisse-Normande
A view over the route Suisse-Normande
Back en-route we then head onto Alençon, where we have a full day of discovery ahead of us.
Tempted to?
Discover more of Normandy on a road trip, you'll be amazed how easy it is to tour around by car with. Like us you can create your own adventure and visit Caen, the D-Day Landing Beaches, Alençon, Honfleur, Giverny, the ruins of Jumièges Abbey, Beuvron-en-Auge and Mont Saint-Michel.
Take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars, they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
À pied
Our first impressions of the town were very positive, it had a real local feel about it and as a tourist felt very welcoming (which is always a good thing).
So, after our petit dejeuner in a local café, we took to the streets.
La Halle au Blé
All within a short stroll of each other are some wonderful landmarks, firstly La Halle au Blé, an entirely circular building that was originally used for wheat trading, in 1865 a large glass dome was added.
A useful guide
We love visiting France and each region so different from one another. I find the DK Eyewitness Guides really helpful in planning a trip and so often find interesting little snippets of info.
Take a peek at this revised Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide and see what you can discover.
Even the Gestapo
Then there is le Chateau des Ducs, although what remains is now a shadow of its former self, it has been witness to some rich history. Including an invasion from William the Conqueror.
Le Château des Ducs
The Gestapo used it during WWII for horrific crimes, and it is only in recent times (2010) that it closed its doors to prisoners.
Looking back to Le Château des Ducs
Palais de Justice
Close by is the neoclassical Palais de Justice built between 1818 – 1824 and also the prominent 18th-century L’Hôtel de Ville, with its curved façade.
L'Hôtel de Ville and the flag of Normandy
Scattered around the L’Hôtel de Ville are some interesting sculptures and an adjoining garden, which was a really peaceful spot to rest in.
The Town Hall
On a road trip?
Try and pick a town you wouldn’t normally be drawn too. You’ll never know what you’ll find.
Is it a church?
From the outside, the 17th-century Baroque church is quite impressive, but it’s not until you wander inside that you discover what’s behind its walls.
L'Eglise des Jésuites
A fantastic 18th-century wood panelled library, full of medieval manuscripts, you feel like you have entered Harry Potter’s world.
All quiet in the library
Inside the Library
What a find!
We continue to stroll around the town, and there are so many pieces of interesting architecture, half-timbered homes and fascinating buildings.
One of which is the 15th-Century Maison à l'Étal, below its curved slated roof remains the original stone slab, which was used to sell and display the merchandiser’s wares.
Léon de La Sicotière
Maison à l'Étal
Half-Timbered
Hotel Dieu
The Historic Foundations
Rue du Jeudi
A half-timbered home
Préfecture de l'Orne
The story continues…
For a fairly small town, Alençon has quite a bit of history, its most famous daughter being Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
Maison Natale de Sainte Thérèse
A large basilica was built and dedicated to her in the city of Lisieux, where she lived and died. However, there is an incredible little chapel in Alençon which was built in 1925 next to her family home.
Why Not?
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One of favourites ways to kick off our trips is to let Brittany Ferries take the strain, sit back, relax and go with the flow. Enjoy a little bit of France as you sail directly into Caen in the heart of Normandy.
Or alternatively jump on Le Shuttle and tour through France under your own steam.
Notre-Dame
The Cathedral
In the Basilica of Notre-Dame in the centre of town, a chapel is dedicated to Saint Thérèse. The basilica itself is of mixed styles due to the forces of nature, and damage and looting during the French Revolution.
Entrance to the Cathedral
Go take a look inside it has an unusual mixture of old & new stained glass windows.
Traditional stained glass windows
Modern stained glass windows
Across the Place de la Magdeleine is la Maison d’Oze, once a 15th-century stately home has since been refurbished and is now home to the tourist office.
Maison D'Ozé, Alençon
Liberation
Although Alençon was affected by war damage, it wasn’t as sustained as some Norman towns.
Alençon was the first town to be liberated by the French Army under General Leclerc.
Leclerc Memorial
Point d'Alençon
During the 16th-century lace making became a prominent local industry & Alençon lace was worn by the French Royalty.
Although lace making continued on a small scale by Carmelite nuns, to ensure the technique survived a workshop has been set up in the town.
All things traditional
Where the roads meet
Food glorious food
On our adventures around Normandy, we’ve had some fantastic food; I’d actually go as far as to say some of the best we have had in France.
A meat feast at Chez Fano
On our adventures around Normandy, we’ve had some fantastic food; I’d actually go as far as to say some of the best we have had in France. But while in Alençon we found a couple of little Bistros that we true gems Chez Fano & Le Bistrot.
Meat at Le Bistro
Great value fixed price menus and some little treats off the a la carte.
Apples of course, at Le Bistro
Have You?
Discovered any French towns that you are keeping to yourselves, we’d love to know?
Inspired to visit Alençon?
Okay, so the weather didn't look great, but that's not an overriding memory of Alençon. It was great food, a warm welcome, and historic streets.
A nice place to discover the real Normandy.
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Comments
Wow! I almost felt like walking in the midst of these old buildings, streets and squares. It’s so gorgeous!
Yes, it was a lovely town, full of so much history and charm. It had some great little restaurants too.