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Coordinates: 48°25′50″N 0°05′35″E / 48.4306°N 0.0931°E / 48.4306; 0.0931
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'''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}}; {{lang-nrf|Alençoun}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in [[Normandy (administrative region)|Normandy]], France, capital of the [[Orne]] [[Departments of France|department]].<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/commune/COM61001-alencon INSEE commune file]</ref> It is situated {{Convert|173|km|mi|0}} west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the [[Communauté urbaine d'Alençon|intercommunality of Alençon]] (with 52,000 people).
'''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 [[Communes of France|commune]] in [[Normandy (administrative region)|Normandy]], France, and the capital of the [[Orne]] [[Departments of France|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 {{Convert|173|km|mi|0}} west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the [[Communauté urbaine d'Alençon|intercommunality of Alençon]] (with 52,000 people).


==History==
==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 (province of France)|Maine]] regions.
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 (province of France)|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 [[Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou|Count]] of [[County of Anjou|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 to this, William had 32 prisoners of the town's hands and feet 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}}</ref>
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 [[Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou|Count]] of [[County of Anjou|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 to this, William had 32 prisoners of the town's hands and feet 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.
Alençon was occupied by the English during the Anglo-Norman wars of 1113 to 1203.


The city became the seat of a [[duchy|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.
The city became the seat of a [[duchy|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 [[Alençon lace|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.
A long-standing local fabric industry gave birth to the town's famous [[Alençon lace|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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</ref> in January 1873 and spent her early childhood until the death of her mother in 1877. [http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/cause/]
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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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=dead }}</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 [[Wehrmacht|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 [[French Army]] under [[Philippe de Hauteclocque|General Leclerc]], after minor bomb damage.
On 17 June 1940, the [[Wehrmacht|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 [[French Army]] under [[Philippe de Hauteclocque|General Leclerc]], after minor bomb damage.
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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.
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.


==Climate==
==Geography==

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}}</ref>

===Climate===

{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|location = Alençon (1981–2010 averages)
|single line=y
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = Y
|location = Alençon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present)
|Jan record high C = 17.7
|Jan record high C = 17.7
|Feb record high C = 20.1
|Feb record high C = 20.1
Line 58: Line 64:
|Jul record high C = 39.8
|Jul record high C = 39.8
|Aug record high C = 38.5
|Aug record high C = 38.5
|Sep record high C = 34.2
|Sep record high C = 34.3
|Oct record high C = 28.4
|Oct record high C = 28.5
|Nov record high C = 21.0
|Nov record high C = 21.0
|Dec record high C = 16.5
|Dec record high C = 16.5
|year record high C = 39.0
|Jan high C = 7.0
|Feb high C = 8.1
|Mar high C = 11.6
|Apr high C = 14.4
|May high C = 18.1
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 24.0
|Aug high C = 24.0
|Sep high C = 20.7
|Oct high C = 15.9
|Nov high C = 10.6
|Dec high C = 7.3
|year high C = 15.3
|Jan low C = 1.6
|Feb low C = 1.4
|Mar low C = 3.2
|Apr low C = 4.7
|May low C = 8.2
|Jun low C = 10.9
|Jul low C = 12.9
|Aug low C = 12.6
|Sep low C = 10.0
|Oct low C = 7.7
|Nov low C = 4.2
|Dec low C = 2.0
|year low C = 6.6
|Jan record low C = -17.4
|Jan record low C = -17.4
|Feb record low C = -18.0
|Feb record low C = -18.0
Line 101: Line 80:
|Nov record low C = -10.6
|Nov record low C = -10.6
|Dec record low C = -17.0
|Dec record low C = -17.0
|year record low C = -18.0
|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
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 77.1
|Jan precipitation mm = 74.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 55.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 56.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 57.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 52.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 52.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 49.7
|May precipitation mm = 67.5
|May precipitation mm = 62.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 51.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 55.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 55.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 50.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 41.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 51.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 61.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 54.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 75.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 72.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 68.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 75.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 83.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 87.8
|year precipitation mm = 746.7
|year precipitation mm = 743.7
|Jan precipitation days = 12.5
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Feb precipitation days = 9.9
| Jan precipitation days = 12.3
|Mar precipitation days = 10.6
| Feb precipitation days = 10.5
|Apr precipitation days = 10.0
| Mar precipitation days = 9.9
|May precipitation days = 10.7
| Apr precipitation days = 9.4
|Jun precipitation days = 7.5
| May precipitation days = 9.7
|Jul precipitation days = 7.6
| Jun precipitation days = 8.1
|Aug precipitation days = 7.3
| Jul precipitation days = 7.1
|Sep precipitation days = 8.0
| Aug precipitation days = 8.0
|Oct precipitation days = 11.0
| Sep precipitation days = 8.0
|Nov precipitation days = 11.2
| Oct precipitation days = 11.0
|Dec precipitation days = 12.8
| Nov precipitation days = 12.2
|year precipitation days = 119.1
| Dec precipitation days = 13.4
| year precipitation days =119.5
|Jan snow days = 3.8
|Jan snow days = 3.8
|Feb snow days = 3.8
|Feb snow days = 3.8
Line 155: Line 173:
|Dec humidity = 90
|Dec humidity = 90
|year humidity = 82.6
|year humidity = 82.6
|Jan sun = 62.0
|Jan sun = 60.4
|Feb sun = 85.0
|Feb sun = 89.2
|Mar sun = 131.4
|Mar sun = 134.0
|Apr sun = 163.4
|Apr sun = 173.6
|May sun = 190.3
|May sun = 198.0
|Jun sun = 217.7
|Jun sun = 214.7
|Jul sun = 215.0
|Jul sun = 222.3
|Aug sun = 212.4
|Aug sun = 213.6
|Sep sun = 168.2
|Sep sun = 173.7
|Oct sun = 113.6
|Oct sun = 111.9
|Nov sun = 70.5
|Nov sun = 72.6
|Dec sun = 60.4
|Dec sun = 63.1
|year sun = 1689.5
|year sun = 1727.1
|source 1 = Météo France<ref name= Météo>{{cite web
|source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/alencon/61001001/normales
|url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=61001001
|title=Normales et records pour Alençon (61)
| title = Données climatiques de la station de Alençon
| publisher = Meteo France
|publisher=Meteociel
|access-date=20 November 2024
| language = fr
| access-date = 9 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=MFclimat2>{{cite web
| url = http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/basse-normandie/regi25/normales
| title = Climat Basse-Normandie
| publisher = Meteo France
| language = fr
| access-date = 9 January 2016
| archive-date = 16 November 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043357/http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/basse-normandie/regi25/normales
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web
|source 2 = Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web
Line 197: Line 206:
| cols = 2
| cols = 2
| percentages = pagr
| percentages = pagr
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|397|Alençon}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-61001#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref>
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|397|Alençon}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2021)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-61001#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref><ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7725600?geo=COM-61001 Populations légales 2021], INSEE</ref>
| graph-pos = bottom
| graph-pos = bottom
|1793 |12954
|1793 |12954
Line 234: Line 243:
|2012 |26305
|2012 |26305
|2017 |25848
|2017 |25848
|2021 |25555
}}
}}


Line 248: Line 258:
Today, Alençon is home to a prosperous [[plastics industry]], and, since 1993, to a plastics engineering school.
Today, Alençon is home to a prosperous [[plastics industry]], and, since 1993, to a plastics engineering school.


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

==Points of interest==

===Museums===

*'''[[Musée des Beaux-arts et de la Dentelle d'Alençon]]''' a museum dedicated to [[Alençon lace|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>

===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 [[French Renaissance|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 [[Giandomenico Facchina|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''' 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 (novel)|La Vieille Fille]].<ref name="auto3"/>
*'''Hôtel de la préfecture''' , formerly known as the '''Hôtel de Guise''' is a hotel 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 Town Hall''' dates back to the 17th century 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>
*'''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 [[Neoclassicism|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"/>


==Education==
==Education==
Line 261: Line 304:


The [[Alençon station|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.
The [[Alençon station|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.
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==
==Notable people==
Line 273: Line 323:
*[[Jacques Hébert]] (1757–1794), editor of the extreme radical newspaper ''[[Le Père Duchesne]]'' during the [[French Revolution]]
*[[Jacques Hébert]] (1757–1794), editor of the extreme radical newspaper ''[[Le Père Duchesne]]'' during the [[French Revolution]]
*[[Louis de Frotté]] (1766–1800), Chouan general
*[[Louis de Frotté]] (1766–1800), Chouan general
*[[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
*[[Edme Castaing]] (1796–1824), doctor and murderer
*[[Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière]] (1755–1834), botanist
*[[Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardière]] (1755–1834), botanist
Line 280: Line 331:
*[[Adolphe Gérard]] (1844–1900), American restaurateur
*[[Adolphe Gérard]] (1844–1900), American restaurateur
*[[Adhémar Leclère]] (1853–1917), author
*[[Adhémar Leclère]] (1853–1917), author
*[[Thérèse de Lisieux]] (1873–1897), Roman Catholic nun and saint,<ref name="ReferenceB"/> and is one of only 33 Doctors of the Church
*[[Thérèse de Lisieux]] (1873–1897), Roman Catholic nun and saint,<ref name="ReferenceB"/> and one of only 33 Doctors of the Church
*[[Auguste Poulet-Malassis]] (1825–1878), publisher and friend of [[Baudelaire]]
*[[Auguste Poulet-Malassis]] (1825–1878), publisher and friend of [[Baudelaire]]
*[[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 (blessed)|Louis Martin]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/> is one of the few married couples ever to be beatified by the Catholic Church.
*[[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 (blessed)|Louis Martin]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/> is one of the few married couples ever to be beatified by the Catholic Church.
Line 295: Line 346:
*[[Anthony Geslin]] (born 1980), cyclist
*[[Anthony Geslin]] (born 1980), cyclist
*[[Orelsan]] (born 1982), rapper
*[[Orelsan]] (born 1982), rapper
*[[Arnold Mvuemba]] (born 1985) footballer
*[[Arnold Mvuemba]] (born 1985), footballer
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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[[Category:Communes of Orne]]
[[Category:Communes of Orne]]
[[Category:Prefectures in France]]
[[Category:Prefectures in France]]
[[Category:Horse racing venues in France]]
[[Category:Monuments historiques of Orne]]
[[Category:Orne communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia]]
[[Category:Orne communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia]]

Latest revision as of 00:36, 4 December 2024

This article is about the town in France. For the needle lace originating here, see Alençon lace.

Alençon
Alençoun (Norman)
Prefecture and commune
Town hall
Town hall
Coat of arms of Alençon
Coat of arms
Location of Alençon
Map
Alençon is located in France
Alençon
Alençon
Alençon is located in Normandy
Alençon
Alençon
Coordinates: 48°25′50″N 0°05′35″E / 48.4306°N 0.0931°E / 48.4306; 0.0931
CountryFrance
RegionNormandy
DepartmentOrne
ArrondissementAlençon
CantonAlençon-1 and 2
IntercommunalityAlençon
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Joachim Pueyo[1]
Area
1
10.68 km2 (4.12 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
25,555
 • Density2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
61001 /61000
Elevation127–152 m (417–499 ft)
(avg. 135 m or 443 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Alençon (UK: /æˈlɒ̃sɒ̃/,[3] US: /ˌælɒ̃ˈsoʊn/,[4] French: [alɑ̃sɔ̃] ⓘ; Norman: Alençoun) is a commune in Normandy, France, and the capital of the Orne department.[5] It is situated 173 kilometres (107 mi) west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the intercommunality of Alençon (with 52,000 people).

History

[edit]

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 to this, William had 32 prisoners of the town's hands and feet cut off, prompting a sudden surrender. Upon hearing of this event, the town of Domfront also surrendered.[6][7]

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,[8][9] the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.[10] 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[11] of Notre-Dame in Alençon on 13 July 1858 and spent their whole married life in Alençon, where Thérèse was born[12] in January 1873 and spent her early childhood until the death of her mother in 1877. Beatification of Louis and Zelie Martin - Saint Therese of Lisieux

On 17 June 1940, the German Army occupied Alençon. On 12 August 1944 Alençon was the first French city to be liberated by the French Army under General Leclerc, after minor bomb damage.

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

[edit]

Alençon along with another 32 communes is part of a 3,503 hectare, Natura 2000 conservation area, called the Haute vallée de la Sarthe.[13]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Alençon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.7
(63.9) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.6
(74.5) 		28.9
(84.0) 		31.0
(87.8) 		37.0
(98.6) 		39.8
(103.6) 		38.5
(101.3) 		34.3
(93.7) 		28.5
(83.3) 		21.0
(69.8) 		16.5
(61.7) 		39.8
(103.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.4
(45.3) 		8.6
(47.5) 		12.0
(53.6) 		15.2
(59.4) 		18.6
(65.5) 		21.9
(71.4) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.4
(75.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		16.0
(60.8) 		10.9
(51.6) 		7.8
(46.0) 		15.7
(60.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5) 		5.2
(41.4) 		7.7
(45.9) 		10.1
(50.2) 		13.4
(56.1) 		16.6
(61.9) 		18.7
(65.7) 		18.7
(65.7) 		15.5
(59.9) 		12.0
(53.6) 		7.8
(46.0) 		5.0
(41.0) 		11.3
(52.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8) 		1.7
(35.1) 		3.4
(38.1) 		5.0
(41.0) 		8.3
(46.9) 		11.3
(52.3) 		13.0
(55.4) 		13.0
(55.4) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.9
(46.2) 		4.7
(40.5) 		2.3
(36.1) 		6.9
(44.4)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7) 		−18.0
(−0.4) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		0.3
(32.5) 		3.0
(37.4) 		2.2
(36.0) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−10.6
(12.9) 		−17.0
(1.4) 		−18.0
(−0.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 74.8
(2.94) 		56.6
(2.23) 		52.8
(2.08) 		49.7
(1.96) 		62.0
(2.44) 		55.4
(2.18) 		50.8
(2.00) 		51.4
(2.02) 		54.5
(2.15) 		72.0
(2.83) 		75.9
(2.99) 		87.8
(3.46) 		743.7
(29.28)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.3 10.5 9.9 9.4 9.7 8.1 7.1 8.0 8.0 11.0 12.2 13.4 119.5
Average snowy days 3.8 3.8 2.8 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 2.5 15.4
Average relative humidity (%) 89 86 81 77 78 77 76 78 82 88 89 90 82.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 60.4 89.2 134.0 173.6 198.0 214.7 222.3 213.6 173.7 111.9 72.6 63.1 1,727.1
Source 1: Meteociel[14]
Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity and snowy days, 1961–1990)[15]

Population

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 12,954—    
1800 12,407−0.61%
1806 13,222+1.07%
1821 13,955+0.36%
1836 13,934−0.01%
1841 13,917−0.02%
1846 14,388+0.67%
1851 14,760+0.51%
1856 16,473+2.22%
1861 16,110−0.44%
1866 16,115+0.01%
1872 16,037−0.08%
1876 16,615+0.89%
1881 17,237+0.74%
1886 17,550+0.36%
1891 18,319+0.86%
1896 17,841−0.53%
1901 17,270−0.65%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1906 17,843+0.65%
1911 17,378−0.53%
1921 16,249−0.67%
1926 16,044−0.25%
1931 16,688+0.79%
1936 17,731+1.22%
1946 19,691+1.05%
1954 21,893+1.33%
1962 25,584+1.97%
1968 31,656+3.61%
1975 33,680+0.89%
1982 31,608−0.90%
1990 29,988−0.66%
1999 28,935−0.40%
2007 27,942−0.44%
2012 26,305−1.20%
2017 25,848−0.35%
2021 25,555−0.28%
Source: EHESS[16] and INSEE (1968-2021)[17][18]

Heraldry

[edit]
Arms of Alençon
Arms of Alençon
 The arms of Alençon are blazoned :
Azure, a double-headed eagle displayed Or.



Economy

[edit]

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.

Points of interest

[edit]

Museums

[edit]

National heritage sites

[edit]

The Commune has 31 buildings and areas listed as a Monument historique[20]

  • Le Château des Ducs is a Castle built in the Middle ages.[21]
  • Municipal Library was a former Jesuit chapel built in 1620, it became the city's library in the 18th century.[22] It was registered as a Monument in 1926.[22]
  • Prout sawmill and steam engine is a former sawmill, built in 1874, it was registered as a monument in 1995.[23]
  • 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.[24]
  • Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel is a seventeenth century chapel, it was registered as a monument in 1975.[25]
  • Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Alençon is a fifteenth century church, that was registered as a monument in 1862.[26]
  • 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.[27]
  • The Wheat Market was built in 1812, featuring a 1000 m² glass dome, with a circumference of 110 metres, it was registered as a monument in 1975.[28][29]
  • Psychiatric hospital was built in 1774, and initially built as a hospital for the sick, the destitute, the prisoners and the mentally ill.[30] After the revolution it was turned into a prison, then becoming a hospice, before finally becoming a psychiatric hospital.[30] It was registered as a monument in 1974.[30]
  • Le Grand Cerf is a nineteenth century hotel, that was registered as a monument in 2008.[31]
  • Hotel Libert is a hotel dating back to the 18th century, registered as a monument in 1947.[32]
  • Hotel Radigue is a hotel dating back to the 18th century, registered as a monument in 1960.[33] The hotel was mentioned in the Honoré de Balzac novel La Vieille Fille.[33]
  • Hôtel de la préfecture , formerly known as the Hôtel de Guise is a hotel dating back to the seventeenth century, registered as a monument in 1903.[34]
  • The Town Hall dates back to the 17th century and was registered as a monument in 1926.[35]
  • 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.[36]
  • Saint-Léonard Lodging house is a seventeenth century house, designated as a monument in 1975.[37]
  • 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.[38]
  • Tribunal de commerce is a fifteenth century building used as a court house for Commercial matters, it was registered as a monument in 1958.[39]
  • City Ramparts remains of the old sixteenth century ramparts, reworked on in the nineteenth century, they were listed as a monument in 1971.[40]
  • House of Ozé a fifteenth century house, built entirely from granite.[41] The house was registered as a monument in 1903, and now acts as the Tourist office for the Commune.[41][42]

There are a further eleven private buildings and houses listed as monuments with the commune.[20]

Education

[edit]

"Écoles". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.

"Collèges". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.

"Lycées". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.

Transport

[edit]

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.[43] 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.[44][45] Its IATA airport code is XAN and its ICAO airport code is LFOF.[46]

There is a comprehensive network of cycle paths.

Sport

[edit]
  • Alencon has a football team US Alençon who play at the Jacques Fould stadium.[47]
  • Hippodrome d'Alençon is a racecourse that specializes in Harness racing, it has been in operation since 1825.[19]

Notable people

[edit]

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Alençon is twinned with:[49]

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  • La Halle aux Blé
    La Halle aux Blé
  • Château des Ducs
    Château des Ducs
  • Library
    Library

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Alençon". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. n.d.
  4. ^ "Alençon". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
  5. ^ "Commune d'Alençon (61001)". INSEE.
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ "10 Things You May Not Know About William the Conqueror". 29 August 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Louis Martin's life". Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Zelie Martin's life". Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - St. Therese's life". Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - The basilica of Notre Dame". Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Shrine Louis and Zelie Martin (Alençon-France) - Alençon, the birthplace of St. Therese". Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  13. ^ "INPN - FSD Natura 2000 - FR2500107 - Haute Vallée de la Sarthe - Description".
  14. ^ "Normales et records pour Alençon (61)". Meteociel. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Normes et records 1961-1990: Alençon - Valframbert (61) - altitude 144m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  16. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Alençon, EHESS (in French).
  17. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  18. ^ Populations légales 2021, INSEE
  19. ^ a b "À la découverte du musée des Beaux-Arts et de la dentelle d'Alençon et ses " pépites "". actu.fr. 8 July 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Les Monuments Historiques en Orne - 61". monumentum.fr.
  21. ^ "Ancien château à Alençon - PA00110691". monumentum.fr.
  22. ^ a b "Bibliothèque municipale (ancienne chapelle des Jésuites) à Alençon - PA00110689". monumentum.fr.
  23. ^ "Bâtiment et machine à vapeur de l'ancienne scierie Prout à Alençon - PA00135513". monumentum.fr.
  24. ^ "Café la Renaissance à Alençon - PA61000057". monumentum.fr.
  25. ^ "Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Lorette à Alençon - PA00110690". monumentum.fr.
  26. ^ "Eglise Notre-Dame à Alençon - PA00110692". monumentum.fr.
  27. ^ "Eglise Saint-Pierre du quartier de Montsor à Alençon - PA61000043". monumentum.fr.
  28. ^ "Halle au blé à Alençon - PA00110693". monumentum.fr.
  29. ^ "Les mille vies de la Halle au Blé d'Alençon". actu.fr. 27 August 2023.
  30. ^ a b c "Hôpital psychiatrique à Alençon - PA00110694". monumentum.fr.
  31. ^ "Hôtel du Grand Cerf à Alençon - PA61000056". monumentum.fr.
  32. ^ "Hôtel Libert à Alençon - PA00110696". monumentum.fr.
  33. ^ a b "Hôtel Radigue à Alençon - PA00110697". monumentum.fr.
  34. ^ "Hôtel de la préfecture (ancien Hôtel de Guise) à Alençon - PA00110695". monumentum.fr.
  35. ^ "Hôtel de ville à Alençon - PA00110698". monumentum.fr.
  36. ^ "Presbytère Saint-Pierre de Montsort à Alençon - PA00110710". monumentum.fr.
  37. ^ "Logis Saint-Léonard à Alençon - PA00110705". monumentum.fr.
  38. ^ "Pharmacie Pesche à Alençon - PA00110709". monumentum.fr.
  39. ^ "Tribunal de commerce à Alençon - PA00110712". monumentum.fr.
  40. ^ "Vestiges des remparts à Alençon - PA00110711". monumentum.fr.
  41. ^ a b "Maison d'Ozé à Alençon - PA00110706". monumentum.fr.
  42. ^ NICOLAS, Rose (13 August 2018). "EN IMAGES. Alençon vu des fenêtres de la Maison d'Ozé". Ouest-France.fr.
  43. ^ Votre gare : Alençon, SNCF
  44. ^ "Histoire. Alençon a-t-elle raté le train de l'aviation ?". actu.fr. 1 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  46. ^ "Alençon Valframbert - France". World Airport Codes.
  47. ^ BOSCHER, François (21 June 2018). "Alençon. Un million d'euros pour sécuriser le stade Jacques-Fould". Ouest-France.fr.
  48. ^ "ALENÇON (61) : Cimetière Notre-Dame - Cimetières de France et d'ailleurs".
  49. ^ "Jumelages". alencon.fr (in French). Alençon. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
[edit]
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