Perche, Historical province in northern France
Perche is a historical province in northern France that spreads across gentle hills rising to 300 meters (984 feet) and covered with woodlands. The landscape runs through the departments of Orne and Eure-et-Loir, showing a patchwork of fields, hedgerows, and small villages.
The County of Perche formed in 1115 by merging the County of Mortagne with the lands of Nogent-le-Rotrou and Belleme. In 1525 the territory became part of the French crown, losing its political independence.
The Museum of French Emigration in Tourouvre shows the stories of 194 adults from this area who moved to New France during the 1600s. The exhibits connect local families to the settlement of Canada, making this link tangible for visitors today.
Mortagne-au-Perche and Nogent-le-Rotrou serve as main hubs for local trade and offer regional products at their markets. Both towns work well as starting points to explore the surrounding villages and countryside.
This region gave its name to the Percheron horse, a breed developed here for farm work. These animals became valued across France for their strength and stamina, shaping rural economy for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
