Orne is a green area famous for being the home of Camembert cheese. The region, which contains the city of Alençon in addition to many towns and hamlets, takes its name from the river that meanders through it. Take a trip around the villages and forests in this rural region to discover châteaus and medieval ruins.
Visit the large city of Alençon in the heart of the department to learn about its intriguing lace industry. Look around the Museum of Fine Arts and Lace for varying perspectives on the city’s unique trade. The former City of the Dukes is home to a majestic 14th-century castle with twin towers and a fascinating history.
For the region’s other prominent trade, visit the 19th-century Président Farm in the north. Take a tour to learn about the making of Camembert cheese. Several farms around the town of Camembert offer cheese tours.
In addition to lace and cheese, castles are among the main reasons to travel through the Orne department. See the ruins of the 11th-century Château de Domfront to imagine its former towers, chapels and living spaces from the surviving vestiges. Amble through the charming park grounds surrounding the castle.
The Château de Carrouges had a dual role as a fortress and a residence. View its well-preserved and renovated red-brick and granite façade and surrounding moat.
Orne is a large region in Lower Normandy in northwestern France. A car journey to Paris, which has the nearest major airport, should take less than 3 hours to cover 120 miles (200 kilometers). Find train stations scattered around the various villages in the department as well.
Orne locals are known as the Ornais. Some speak a dialect known as Augeron. Enjoy the region’s mild winters and warm summers. The region’s proximity to the English Channel results in few weather extremes.
In Orne, discover authentic French villages with their medieval castles and thriving traditional trades.