Do you often find yourself daydreaming about leaving the big city, and taking your family somewhere prettier and more peaceful? Alençon, capital of the Orne department, could be just the place for you! With its charming old town, cobbled streets and beautiful monuments, the City of Dukes is all about elegance and tranquillity. Its beautiful natural surroundings and many local facilities make it a great place to live all year round. It’s time to pack your bags!
Old-world charm with modern conveniences
Top 5 reasons to move to Alençon
01
For its French charm!
Do you like wandering around postcard-perfect streets, surrounded by old stone buildings and elegant private mansions? A listed Outstanding Heritage site, Alençon is a perfect example of a town full of beauty and history.
02
Everything in one place.
Despite its rich history, the town boasts all the necessities of modern life: a nationally-recognised theatre, a music venue (La Luciole), a contemporary art centre (Les Bains Douches), a cinema, a swimming complex with indoor and outdoor pools, a co-working space, and more!
03
Say au revoir to traffic jams!
You can easily get around by foot or by bike here. And if you don’t have your own bike, A’vélo will be happy to lend you one for free. The Vélobuissonière and Véloscénie cycle routes are just a short ride away…
04
Fresh, local produce
With four different markets in the area each week, you can enjoy strolling around the stalls and sampling local, seasonal produce!
05
An abundance of places to visit!
With so many exceptional natural and historical sites nearby, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning day trips with family or friends: Alpes Mancelles, Écouves or Perseigne Forest, Château de Carrouges and many more are just waiting to be discovered.
Take the stress out of moving
Say oui to a new life in Alençon! Worried about where to find childcare, housing or business advice? Don’t panic! Help is on hand from our various dedicated services.
The information desk for the town of Alençon and the wider Urban Community will be able to answer all your questions about services for children and young people, and will sign you up.
The town hall’s housing division is available to welcome you and help you find accommodation.
Alençon is a great place to set up a business! The Urban Community’s economic development programme will help you get your project up and running. They’ll be your essential partner!
What not to miss in Alençon
Alençon boasts a rich historical, natural and religious heritage… to be enjoyed without moderation!
And also…
The Aveline Library
Harry Potter fans will love working from here! With its wooden panels and 57,000 books to consult, this library, housed in the former Jesuit church, always makes an impression.
The Fuie des Vignes
Covering 81 hectares along the banks of the Sarthe, the Fuie des Vignes site is a haven of greenery and a Natura 2000-labelled area of biodiversity. It’s the ideal spot for a leisurely stroll.
Working in Alençon, the Orne’s leading business district
Alençon is the Orne’s leading business district, with strong performances in trade, industry and services. There are plenty of job opportunities to be seized: the 4,000 businesses operating in the Alençon Urban Community area planned to hire more than 3,000 new recruits in 2023.
The top sectors and companies recruiting
Plastics
Alençon is one of France’s leading plastics-processing centres, with renowned research and innovation centres, including: Polyvia Formation; the former ISPA; CIMAP specialised in materials and eco-design; IPC; the technical centre for manufacturing. As a result, the area has attracted major companies in the sector such as Alençon Plastic, Asteelflash Technology, Appli Plast and others.
Food industry
Alençon is a key location for the food industry in Normandy. It is home to some household names such as Sources Roxane (Cristaline), Richemonts cheeses (Le Rustique) and smaller producers (Galette d’Alençon, Patte Jeanjean…).
Study on a true university campus in Alençon
Alençon has a thriving student life, with the Damigny university campus welcoming some 2,400 students every year. The site offers university courses and specialised colleges, as well as a university dining hall and library, student accommodation (CROUS-approved Scholar Fab), a sports ground, and more. Students can also enjoy the nearby city centre, with its vibrant cultural scene (cinema, theatre, concerts) and sporting activities (60 clubs and 150 sports facilities). Alençon has even been awarded the “Ville active et sportive” (Active and Sporting Town) label!
Academic establishments
What’s on in Alençon
- Orn’expo, Alençon’s trade fair
February-March 2024
Trade fairs are an institution in Normandy! And Alençon is no exception to the rule with this spring event, which attracts around 130 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors each year. - World folklore festival
July 2024
In just one week, visitors enjoy a unique programme that lets them get a glimpse into different cultures from around the world: song, dance, traditions and more. A trip around the world from the comfort of your seat! - Les Échappées belles
Summer
Concerts, shows and attractions: Scène Nationale 61’s programme of (often free) shows around the town brings summer to life in Alençon! - Les Galopades du Patrimoine
September
This semi-nocturnal running event in Alençon, traditionally held in September, involves three different races (6km, 12km and a children’s edition) around the town’s streets, squares and monuments. Exercise can be fun!
