Notre-Dame basilica and the Halle au Blé
At the heart of the centre, Notre-Dame basilica raises its great finely-carved Flamboyant porch. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was baptised here in 1873, and her birthplace can be visited nearby. Walking down, the Halle au Blé, a striking 19th-century rotunda, now hosts exhibitions and markets. People meet here with a coffee in hand, under a colonnade, and the conversation quickly takes on a relaxed turn.
The Dukes’ castle and the Lace museum
The massive towers of the Dukes’ castle, now partly swallowed by the city, recall Alençon’s medieval past. Right next to it, the Fine Arts and Lace Museum displays the wonders of the point d’Alençon, a fine needle lace. Admiring together a piece where every thread counts is a fine way to talk about patience, art and the time one takes: subjects that bring people closer.
Promenades park and gentle wandering
For some fresh air, the Promenades park, planted with great trees at the heart of the city, offers shady paths and welcoming lawns. The pedestrian streets like Rue aux Sieurs then invite you to browse. On Lyad, members from Alençon share their favourite bistros and small shops; it is up to you to find someone to stretch the walk, and perhaps the evening too.
Date ideas
- Dukes’ castle
- Notre-Dame basilica
- Fine Arts and Lace Museum
- Halle au Blé
- Promenades park
- Saint Thérèse’s birthplace
- Rue aux Sieurs
