View of the church at La Roche-Mabile — ©Church of La Roche-Mabile|Alençon Tourisme, Pascal Beltrami

Discover The surrounding villages

Around Alençon, the Normandy countryside reveals a mosaic of villages with authentic charm that are well worth a visit. Old weavers’ cottages, centuries-old churches, flower-filled lanes, remains of forges and artists’ houses – every stop is an invitation to stroll.

La Roche-Mabile A thousand-year-old village in the Alpes Mancelles

The name of the village comes from Mabile de Bellême, daughter of Guillaume II de Bellême. It’s a typical little village built along the Sarthon and at the foot of the Butte Chaumont. We recommend you visit the church, one of the oldest in the Orne, the feudal mound currently being restored and the intriguing Cassine chapel. The waters of the Sarthon are home to crayfish and pearl mussels.

Saint-Denis-sur-Sarthon Nestling in the heart of the 3 Massifs

In the 18th century, the presence of iron, clay and the Sarthon river led to the development of forges and the manufacture of earthenware. Take a stroll through the village of Saint-Denis-sur-Sarthon and you’ll see some beautiful period houses, the remains of the forges and the earthenware factory. The Romanesque church with its bell tower embellished with modillions is also very well preserved.

View of the old forges at Saint-Denis-sur-Sarthon — ©Alençon Tourisme, Pascal Beltrami

Download our heritage plan

Get hold of the heritage map for La Roche-Mabile and Saint-Denis-sur-Sarthon, to explore the heritage and discreet charm of these two pretty villages. You can also ask for one at our tourist information offices in Alençon and Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei.

Saint-Denis/La-Roche-Mabile heritage map

Damigny

When you walk through Damigny, you quickly notice the many houses that look alike: they are weavers’ houses, some with exposed stonework and pretty flowers. Single or double, they housed one or two looms used to make hemp and linen cloth. To the north of Damigny is the site of a prison camp (1939-1948) and a beautiful chapel of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

If you’re a cyclist, you can jointhe voie verte and the Véloscénie itinerary from here.

Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois

To get to Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois, it’s best to pass through Champfleur to take in the Château de Courtilloles and the magnificent views over Alençon and the Forêt d’Écouves. When you reach Saint-Rigomer, you’ll see the Romanesque church, its bell and the wash-house below.

If you leave the village via Rue Gaston Floquet, you can see and visit his house. A well-known sculptor, he took hold of the world around him. When he died in 2001, he bequeathed more than 8,000 of his works, including some to museums in Alençon, Le Mans and Granville.

Gaston Floquet’s house
37, rue Gaston Floquet
Saint-Rigomer-des-Bois
72610 Villeneuve-en-Perseigne