Orne stands out from the crowd! As the only département in Normandy not to have a coastline, it makes its mark with unspoilt nature and outstanding facilities (road, digital and cultural). Lots of Parisians have made the move…
The best of both worlds: nature and connection
Top 5 reasons to move and live in Orne
01
The green riviera
Orne is one of the leafiest areas in the Grand-Ouest area of Normany. Do you want to escape to the country? This is the place for you!
02
Remote work heaven
With full fibre available throughout Orne by late 2023, a high standard 4G mobile network, 181 5G masts and 10 telecentres, it’s the perfect place to work out of the office with nature on your doorstep.
03
Own your own home
A large house in a cute village, a beautiful home with a pool or an apartment in town: with average prices at 1332 € per square metre, you can find your happy place without breaking the bank!
04
Go at your own pace
Forget about racing against the clock here. The average commute time is 10-12 minutes and the area is full of infrastructures and shops. You’re never far from anything you need.
05
In the middle of everything
Orne is in a prime location surrounded by several regions (Ile-de-France, Brittany, Loire-Atlantique) and cities such as Paris, Nantes, Rennes and Tours. It’s ideal for business and weekend getaways.
Set up your business in Orne stress-free
Do you want to set up your business or medical practice in Orne? There are lots of support systems in place to help you make the move.
- The Entreprendre dans l’Orne network provides free tailor-made support for company directors.
- GPs have access to a CAIM (medical practice support contract) or CAI (set-up support contract).
- Orne Council provides financial support to tourism project leaders and company directors.
What not to miss in Orne
The département is full of outstanding natural and heritage sites to explore on foot, by bike and on horseback!
Normandy Maine Regional Nature Park
The nature park straddles Normandy and Pays de la Loire and stands out for its woodland (covering 18% of the surface area). The majestic Forêt d’Écouves and enigmatic Forêt d’Andaine in Orne are part of the park.
Alençon
Orne’s biggest town is famous for its craftsmanship and lace. It’s also full of heritage, historical (Château des Ducs) and religious sites (Notre-Dame Basilica, the house where Saint Thérèse was born).
Bagnoles-de-l’Orne
Fancy some me-time? Head to this unique spa resort in Normandy: spend the morning at the spa, the afternoon on the golf course and the evening playing poker at the casino.
Work in Orne, a hotbed for employment in Normandy
Orne owns its country nature and prides itself on its agility. Companies here have some real assets: major motorways (A88, A28), outstanding logistics and digital infrastructures, available real estate and business centres (Startech61).
The département is home to over 26,000 businesses including a dozen that employ over 250 people i.e. the Charal food giant and Roval Cosmétiques (Anjac Health&Beauty Group). Local businesses plan to hire up to 10,000 employees in 2023 mainly in the services, manufacturing and construction industries.
(* Normandy CCI 2019 figures)
The top sectors and companies recruiting
Farming & Food
Agriculture is still a key sector in Orne’s economy with the food industry coming close behind. The area is home to both long-standing SMEs with their fingers on the pulse (Fromageries Gillot, Biscuiterie de l’Abbaye) and major groups (Lactalis, Socopa, Ariake Japan) who are always looking for new talents.
Plastics
Orne has made a name for itself in the plastics industry with a training centre outside Alençon and major businesses based in the area (United Caps, Manuplast and Ercé Plasturgies) The future is bright for operators, project managers, regulators and designers here!
Automobile
The automobile industry is thriving in ORne with the NextMove business cluster, industrial research and innovation campus plus sub-contractors. Global brands such as FAURECIA and Magnetti Marelli being based here says it all. The sector is always on the lookout for fitters, panel beaters, engineers and more.
Tourism
It’s big business here with 2200 direct and indirect jobs in tourism and 190 million euros in turnover. Orne focuses its strategy on green and unspoilt tourism. Wait staff, chefs and tour operators have every opportunity here.
Study on a small and friendly campus in Orne
Over 5000 young adults study in Orne every year, mainly at Alençon University-Damigny Campus. The small and friendly campus has everything students could wish for: reasonable size, university library, student union and student residence. All that with the buzzing and bustling Alençon, Orne’s biggest city, on their doorstep!
What’s on in Orne
The Haras National regularly hosts the biggest equestrian events. After setting the stage for the Carriage Driving World Championship for Pairs in 2023, it’s hosting the Carriage Driving World Championship for Singles in 2024.
40 dates, 300 artists, 4500 festivalgoers: this touring festival has made its mark as a major classical music event inside and outside Normandy since 1982.
Juillet
The independent non-profit festival has been treating audiences to an eclectic musical line-up for the last 30 years in Briouze.
News
Visit the last sequin factory in France, Langlois-Martin, located in Orne
