Why visit Alençon?
Alençon is perfect for a day trip, whether departing from Rouen or Paris. Here is what you should see, when to visit, and how to organize your trip without wasting three hours on connections.
Alençon is famous for its lace-making, which is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is a gateway to the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park, just two hours from Paris.
Located in the Orne department, about 190 km from Paris and 150 km from Rouen, Alençon is ideal for both a day trip or a weekend getaway. The town is easy to explore once you arrive: it is the outward journey and the evening return that need to be planned.
Top sights in Alençon
- 1. The Lace Museum
- 2. The Notre-Dame Basilica
- 3. The birthplace of Saint Thérèse
Best time to visit: Summer and during Heritage Days.
A day in Alençon, hour by hour
| 9:00 AM | Pick-up at your address in a private car, coffee on board, estimated arrival 2 hours later. |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | First visit: the Lace Museum. |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch in the city centre, featuring Norman specialities and regional products. |
| 3:00 PM | The Notre-Dame Basilica. |
| 5:00 PM | The birthplace of Saint Thérèse. |
| 7:00 PM | Return journey to your address, Paris, or the airport; your chauffeur will be at the agreed meeting point. |
Train, bus, or private chauffeur for Alençon?
Alençon is served by Alençon station, on the Paris Montparnasse – Le Mans – Alençon line. Under normal conditions, allow 2 to 2.5 hours including a connection in Le Mans from Paris Montparnasse. This is a good solution when everything runs smoothly. The Le Mans connection adds time to the journey, and local links to the Perche region are only available by bus.
| Solution | Door-to-door duration | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Train Paris Montparnasse → Alençon station | 2 to 2.5 hours with connection in Le Mans + transit time | Fixed schedules, carrying luggage, early last departure |
| Regional bus | Often 3+ hours | Few departures, no evening service |
| Private car with chauffeur | 2 hours non-stop | Traffic at peak hours |
Our private shuttle takes over when the rail network fails: strikes, track work, cancelled trains, missed connections, night flights, or simply when you are travelling with children, professional equipment, or too many suitcases for a train platform. We pick you up at your address, at the time we decide together, and drop you off in Alençon without any changes.
How to get to Alençon — and back
Alençon is about 190 km from Paris and 150 km from Rouen, a 2-hour drive from the capital. In a private car with a chauffeur, the journey is direct, from your address to your hotel, starting at 240 € for a saloon and 295 € for a 7-seater van, price per vehicle.
For airport transfers from Alençon, allow 265 € for Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and 260 € for Orly. On your return, your chauffeur will greet you in the arrivals hall with a sign and track your flight in real-time.
Good to know before you leave
- Wear comfortable shoes: the city centre is best explored on foot.
- Book your visits and restaurant tables in advance during the high season.
- Parking is often busy on weekends: having someone drop you off saves you half an hour of driving around.
- The Norman climate changes quickly: a windbreaker provides more warmth than an umbrella in the coastal wind.
- Last trains leave early: check your return time before booking a dinner.
Communes served around Alençon
We do not just stop in the centre of Alençon: hotels, gîtes, reception halls, businesses, and surrounding villages are all served at the same mileage rate. Here are the most requested destinations nearby, each with its own dedicated page.
- Falaise → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 10 km from Alençon. What to see in Falaise
- Cabourg → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 25 km from Alençon. What to see in Cabourg
- Houlgate → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 30 km from Alençon. What to see in Houlgate
- Ouistreham → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 15 km from Alençon. What to see in Ouistreham
- Villers-sur-Mer → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 35 km from Alençon. What to see in Villers-sur-Mer
- Trouville-sur-Mer → Paris Shuttle — Calvados, approx. 40 km from Alençon. What to see in Trouville-sur-Mer
Taxi, VTC, or private shuttle in Alençon?
Many travellers search for an “Alençon taxi” when what they really need is a price known in advance. The difference is simple: a taxi starts a meter and the cost depends on traffic; a VTC like Navette Privée provides the price upon booking and it never changes, even in the event of traffic jams or a delayed flight.
- Alençon Taxi: convenient for short trips within the city, variable price, advance booking rarely guaranteed.
- Alençon VTC: booking at your chosen time, known chauffeur, confirmed vehicle, fixed rate.
- Alençon Airport Shuttle: 265 € to Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, 260 € to Orly, 240 € to central Paris in a saloon, tolls and luggage included.
For an early morning departure, a late-night return, or a trip between Alençon and Paris with luggage, a private shuttle is often cheaper than a metered taxi and always less stressful than a train with connections. Call +33 6 88 14 67 82 or request your quote online: we will reply within a few minutes.
Book your trip to Alençon
Every journey to Alençon is confirmed in writing with the name of the chauffeur, vehicle model, and final price. No last-minute supplements, no meter running in traffic.
- Baby seats and boosters at no extra charge
- Fixed price provided before booking
- Booking by phone in less than two minutes
- Bottled water and chargers on board