Perche, Historical province in northern France
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Château Saint-Jean de Nogent-le-Rotrou
5.1 km
Château de Villeray
3.9 km
Musée municipal de Nogent-le-Rotrou
5.2 km
Église Saint-Hilaire de Nogent-le-Rotrou
4 km
Église Notre-Dame de Nogent-le-Rotrou
4.4 km
Rivray Motte
5.9 km
Manoir de l'Épinay
5.5 km
Manoir du Plessis
4 km
Manoir du Grand-Saint-Quentin
6.7 km
Manoir de Malaise
5.8 km
Église Saint-Ouen de Verrières
5 km
Abbaye Saint-Denis
4.9 km
Aquaval Piscine-Bowling
3.8 km
Église Saint-Étienne de Dorceau
7 km
Église Saint-Jouin de Dancé
3.7 km
Chapelle de Rivray
5.9 km
Manoir des Touches
6.7 km
Église Saint-Martin de Brunelles
7.4 km
Église Saint-Laurent de Nogent-le-Rotrou
4.4 km
Ferme Neuve
7.3 km
Église Saint-Germain-d'Auxerre de Saint-Germain-des-Grois
4.5 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste des Gauchetières, Nogent-le-Rotrou
4.3 km
Église Notre-Dame de Condé-sur-Huisne
3.7 km
Hôtel-Dieu de Nogent-le-Rotrou
4.5 km
Église Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel
3.2 km
Église Saint-Denis de Condeau
3.3 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Saint-Pierre-la-Bruyère
551 m
Église Saint-Martin de Berd'huis
4.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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