The Perche

A former French province, the Perche is a preserved gem in Normandy. Located in the departments of Eure-et-Loir, Sarthe and Orne, it promises a change of scenery, discovery and a peaceful interlude just 2 hours from Paris by car.

A region of fat, sloping meadows and wooded hills with secular oaks and beeches, it can be explored by car, bicycle or on foot if you feel like it. Sturdy manor houses are scattered through the hedgerows and forests, protected by a regional nature park. In each village, restaurants, craft shops and antique shops embody the gentle way of life of our region.

Mortagne, a small city of character

Mortagne-au-Perche is a city built on the hillsides, painted with ochre, yellow or pink sands, limestone and light, and is a must-see destination for those who want to discover the Perche.

A favourite holiday destination for the Counts of the Perche and their wives, Mortagne has been endowed with a remarkable and numerous historical heritage. Its heart houses the visible architectural traces of an ancient walled city: the Porte Saint-Denis, the Crypt Saint-André (remnant of the ancient Collegiate Church of Toussaint), but also the Cloister and the Chapel Saint-François built by Marguerite de Lorraine.
From the 17th century onwards, Mortagne-au-Perche was enriched by private mansions and historical residences built by the administrative nobility and rich merchants established in the town. The owners decorated the facades of their homes, built porches, decorated their walls with a sundial… The town was embellished with an important heritage and gave it a cosy and refined aspect that it has still retained today.

Would you like to discover the Perche ? Stop off in Mortagne for a weekend or a stay in the countryside, and enjoy the peaceful and authentic harmony that reigns there.

The Perche, a close link with Canada

Despite her distinct Quebec accent, singer Céline Dion is of Norman origin! So is former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. And we could add actor Ryan Goslin and director Xavier Dolan to the list. Of Norman origin because, like many other Canadians and Quebecers, their family tree can be traced back to southern Normandy, the Perche region, from where a group of adventurers set off for the New World in the 17th century.
Strange as it may seem, the first twenty-seven Percherons had a particular influence on the civil status of La Belle-Province. One of them, the carpenter Zacharie Cloutier, is thought to be the origin of 80% of French-speaking Quebecers. The Tremblay and Gagnon surnames now number 500,000 in the province. As for the Guyons, they are at the origin of the Dions of America, including the singer Céline. And the Juchereau, Drouin and Boucher families also come from the cradle of Perche.
So it’s hardly surprising that in Mortagne we call the Québécois ‘our cousins from America’. Mortagne-au-Perche was one of the main centres of French emigration to New France (Quebec) in the 17th century. Since 1967, Mortagne has been twinned with Boucherville, the town founded by pioneer Pierre Boucher, a native of the Perche capital. In 2012, singer Isabelle Boulay followed in the footsteps of her ancestor Robert Boulay by coming to Mortagne.
Would you also like to discover the Perche region? Stop off in Mortagne for a weekend or a holiday in the countryside, and enjoy the peaceful, authentic harmony that reigns here.

On foot, by bike or on horseback

In Mortagne, charming houses stand alongside the town’s famous sundials, of which there are no less than 27 ! With its walled gardens, ramparts and old quarters, its rich historical past and authentic atmosphere, Mortagne is a must-see destination for lovers of nature, historical treasures and architecture.

In the surrounding area, discover the state forest of Bellême or Réno-Valdieu, where you can see trees that are several hundred years old. Discover La Perrière, Autheuil, Tourouvre, Bellême or Rémalard, charming Percheron villages.

Further afield, visit the former capital of the Counts of Perche, Nogent-le-Rotrou, with its rich architectural heritage, where old and new districts are distinguished by their own history. Don’t forget to discover the Percheron horse, a magnificent draught horse, emblem of the region, with its grey, white or black dappled coat.

Authentic regional cooking

Mortagne-au-Perche is the capital of “boudin noir”. Every year 4 to 5 km of it are sold at the “Foire au boudin”. There is nothing industrial here, only fresh blood sausage, plain or in different varieties (smoked, with chilli, with apples…). The craftsmen and producers, strongly attached to the Perche identity, offer products that perpetuate ancestral traditions, such as cider and the Perche baguette. Not forgetting the local cheeses, cow or goat, and desserts and pastries, often made from apples.

Don’t hesitate to meet the producers at the numerous local markets to stock up on good Perche products. In Mortagne, the farmers’ market is on Saturday morning !

Discover Mortagne

Do you like antiques? Mortagne-au-Perche is teeming with antique shops, flea markets and garage sales… In this region rich in manor houses and fine residences, furniture and objects have always been beautifully crafted.

If you’re feeling like a Little Thumb, then 200 nails have been placed on the pavements or in the middle of the road to help you discover the town’s hidden heritage. The route was created to make visiting Mortagne easier, and takes in shopping areas and narrow streets. Each nail marked on the ground corresponds to a plaque identifying the historic monuments.

Do you like good food? It’s the hallmark of the Perche region, and this excellence is evident in the many food shops that thrive in Mortagne. In this small town of character, the strengths of the shops are their diversity, dynamism and quality.

We have the right addresses and the places you absolutely must visit. Don’t hesitate to ask us, we’ll be delighted to share them with you.To find out more, visit the Mortagne au Perche Tourist Office: https://tourisme-mortagne-au-perche.fr/

Mortagne: a vibrant cultural scene

Mortagne-au-Perche is packed with activities to suit all tastes and ages.

Are you a cinema enthusiast? The Étoile cinema, with its magnificent stone-walled auditorium and Art et Essai classification, is more than just a cinema – it’s a tribute to the French history of projection rooms. Housed in the old grain market not far from the town hall, this venue was the birthplace of the invention of the Lumière brothers and has been showing films for over 100 years now. It also houses a small cinema museum retracing the prehistory of the 7th art: magic lanterns, the first projection and photographic devices, cameras and films by the pioneers of cinema.

Are you a fan of live entertainment? Le Carré du Perche, located not far from the old racecourse, offers a varied cultural programme (theatre, music, dance, café-concert, exhibitions, conferences, etc.). This ideal venue for organising artistic events is also a unique venue for successful commercial and professional events, thanks in particular to its fully modular auditorium.