Alençon
Le weekend in …..Alençon, Orne, Normandie
Where to stay, where to eat, what to do, how to get there…….
Where to Stay?? |
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| Where to eat – recommended | Le Taverne Karlsbräu/Relais d’Alsace 36, rue Maréchal Delattre de Tassigny, Alençon Large brasserie in the town centre and open 7 days a week. Wide menu, seafood a speciality. Friendly service. |
| Where to eat – gourmet | L Escargot Doré 183, av du Général Leclerc, Alençon – (Tel: 02 33 28 67 67) – opposite the Leclerc shopping centre, just off the main road heading south to Le Mans – truly gourmet experience. Not cheap, but worth it for a special treat. Closed Sunday and Monday. |
| Where to eat – value for money | L’Auberge de la Boule d’Or, 72610 Ancinnes Step back in time – 4 course menu with choice of 4 starters, 4 main courses, cheese and dessert, carafe of wine and coffee for 11 euos inclusive. Food is excellent – just don’t pay any attention to the décor! Closed Sunday and Monday. |
| Local food specialities | Seafood, pork in cider and cream sauce, apples poached in calvados |
| Local wine/drink | Cider, calvados (apple brandy), pommeau (blend of apple juice and calvados), poiré (perry) |
| Market | Town centre near the church of Notre Dame Thursday and Saturday mornings |
| Must see | Eglise Notre Dame Chateau de Carrouges Forest of Perseigne Forest of Ecouves Village of St Ceneri-le-Gerei – classed one of the prettiest in France Gardens of the Mansonière – award-winning gardens Aventure dans les Arbres – treetop walks at St Léonard des Bois |
| A bit of culture? | Theatre, cinema, museum of Beaux Arts with Alençon lace exhibition |
| Shopping | Partly pedestrianised town centre shopping area in Alençon; shopping centres on main roads heading west (Carrefour Centre) and south (Leclerc centre). |
| Somewhere for a stroll | Discovery route of the old town; park des Promenades; surrounding forests of Perseigne and Ecouves |
| Something for the kids | Treetop walks at St Léonard des Bois; animal park of Ecouves; canoeing on the Sarthe |
| Getting there | Autoroute A28 Caen/Le Havre to le Mans, Train TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans and then local service to Alencon |
| Getting around | Many cycle paths. Buses from town centre to immediate suburbs. Trains to Rouen and Le Mans. |
| When to come | The Le Mans 24 hour motor race takes place in June every year |
| For a longer stay….. | Numerous gardens, chateaux, pretty villages, Roman remains to visit in the area; activities like horseriding and canoeing are possible. The Normandy coast, D-Day beaches, Mont St Michel, Giverny, Chateaux of the Loire are all possible as day trips using Alençon as a base. |
The former basilica which now serves as a market hall – see www.visitalencon.com
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