A Guide to Alencon

As you enter Normandy from the south you will encounter the large city of Alencon, which historically was a centre of lace making in the country. The city is beautiful and has many attractions. There is the wonderful Musee des Beaux Arts et de la Dentelle which was a former Jesuit school and contains many different methods of lace making.

The museum may at first appear to be boring to those who have no connection of the subject but once you get past this there is an exhibit on Cambodian artefacts such as spears, lances, tiger skulls and elephant feet. There is also a exhibit with a few famous artists such as Courbet and Gericault.

Near the museum is the Chateau des Ducs although this is now a prison and does have a history as the Gestapo used it during the Second World War.

Outside Alencon is the beautiful Foret D’ Ecouves, which is a perfect place to take long, walks though the area is popular with hunters and the army and deer hunters in the autumn.

Alencon is a perfect place to come when visiting the region and is a must visit town.