Argentan: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Culture

The Maison des Dentelles is dedicated to Norman lace, including the needle-made Point d’Argentan and Point d’Alençon. It traces the economic and social history of lace manufacture, including its heyday in Argentan in the 17th and 18th centuries, and explores the history of a lace school founded in 1874 at Argentan Abbey.

The Musée Fernand Léger – André Mare, open since 6 July 2019, is dedicated to Fernand Léger and André Mare, two important 20th-century artists who came from Argentan. It is located in Fernand Léger’s birthplace in the centre of Argentan, close to shops and a ten-minute walk from the railway station. Seven exhibition rooms display childhood drawings, illustrated books, decorative art objects and paintings.

The present-day Église Saint-Germain was built between the 15th and 18th centuries and combines Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It includes a 15th-century Gothic portal, a Renaissance choir, a Norman-style lantern tower and a Flamboyant Gothic nave. The church is illuminated throughout the year from nightfall.

The Tour Marguerite is a surviving 14th-century section of Argentan’s fortifications; its rampart walk offers views over the town. Visits can be arranged on request through the cultural service at 07 85 51 24 95. The Chapelle Saint-Nicolas was built in the 14th century on the initiative of Pierre II de Valois, Count of Alençon, and houses an 18th-century oak altarpiece. Exhibitions of contemporary art and art workshops are offered there throughout the year. The Château des Ducs was burned down during the Hundred Years’ War and acquired its present form in the 14th century.

For travel planning, the desire to rent a holiday apartment in Argentan may be the main focus.

Nature

Les Pâtures is classified as an “Espace Naturel Sensible” (Sensitive Natural Area) by the Orne department and includes streams, ponds, reed beds and wet meadows. A walking trail with information panels explains how the area is maintained and managed. Les Pâtures is home year-round to the protected European otter, the amphibious vole and the great burnet.

Activities

Canoeing and kayaking are possible at the Plan d’eau de la Noë in July and August. PL Argentan Canoë-Kayak offers canoeing and kayaking excursions lasting from one hour to a full day. With PL Argentan Canoë-Kayak, excursions start and end at the base in Argentan; a shuttle is available if required.

The GR22 pilgrimage trail passes through Argentan; one stage runs between Le Bourg-Saint-Léonard, Argentan and Écouché. The GR 36 runs between Argentan and Caen through rural and wild Normandy.

More local pages: Brieux, Corbon, Sainte-Honorine-la-Guillaume, Silli-En-Gouffern, Tessé-Froulay, Essay, Longny-au-Perche, Dancé

To the higher-level travel overview: Orne.