L'Aigle is a town in Orne, Normandy region, 30 km northeast of Mortagne-au-Perche.
Its territory of 18 square kilometers belongs to the Ouche, cultural and natural area comprising the northeast of the department of Orne and southwest of the Eure, following the Risle Valley and has a landscape groves, open fields and wooded areas.
The town developed in the Middle Ages: in the Duchy of Normandy, then its fortifications are a hotspots border kingdoms of France and England. L'Aigle and was besieged several times. In the fourteenth century, in the city what killed the Constable of France Charles de la Cerda.
Thereafter, served by communication routes connecting the Île-de-France in Brittany and Normandy coast, the town sees implant manufacturing (pins, sewing needles, and more recently, copper products and biotechnology).
Renowned for its sausage appreciated by gourmets, L'Aigle now has more than 8,000 inhabitants and highlights its heritage and offers cultural and sporting activities.
A discovery of L'Aigle can begin with its civil and religious heritage that has been preserved in spite of a sometimes turbulent history and especially the bombings of 1944 during the Battle of Normandy that followed the landing.
Among the best sights, the castle that now houses City Hall dates from the late seventeenth century. It was built in place of the medieval fortress of the eleventh century which was found an eagle's nest, which gave its name to the locality! The plans of the castle completed in 1730 was designed by Mansart, the King's architect. Originally, terraces down to the river. Preserved in the Revolution, the castle was however mauled in 1848 and already damaged, it lost its south wing in 1944. Restored, protected as historical monuments, houses the town hall, it has retained its monumental staircase. Open Monday through Friday. Information +33 2 33 84 44 44.
The mansion Colombel the Rousselière and former post also to see.
The city also has an important religious heritage, since the churches serving three parishes that make up the city have been preserved.
Therefore include St. Martin's church, classified, presenting testimonies of different construction eras since the eleventh century. The clock tower and the apse are original (XI), the Chapel of the Rosary fifteenth (Gothic), expansions occurring in the sixteenth and nineteenth added vault. Featuring a neo-Gothic furniture, the church was given new windows after the Second War signed the master Max Ingand. Works of contemporary artists have also been commissioned after 1944 (Paul Belmondo, Martin Raymond, barrel).
Old funeral chapel, also protected, St. John church dates for its share of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It notes the statues on its facade and interior, furniture including a rich altarpiece Louis XIII style wooden including Corinthian column and several tables.
The Church of St. Bartholomew, finally, dates for its oldest parts of the twelfth century. Long served by monks of the priory of Saint-Sulpice, we see its slender steeple, its wooden roof and front of his porch, the tomb of a priest who had refused to swear allegiance to the Revolution.
On a different note, note that some industrial sites are now recognized as heritage: the hardware factories, tanneries and show the manufacturing vocation L'Aigle.
Finally, a city walk you can admire two old plane trees labeled "remarkable trees".
Guided city tours are programmed in season and booklets with maps are available: information +33 2 33 24 12 40.
For culture, the media center of the city, street Tanners, program regularly exhibitions and events. Contact the +33 2 33 84 16 19.
Furthermore, several museums are located.
In an outbuilding of the castle was laid on June 44 museum that depicts the key events of World War II, particularly those that took place in the region. It offers many sound via paper, reconstructions, strategic cards dive into the reality of the Second War. Open from April to September. Price: 1.80 and 3.60 euros. Information +33 2 33 84 44 44.
Near presented a permanent exhibition entitled "The Meteorite L'Aigle": there is evoked the fall on the territory of the town 26 April 1803 of thousands of fragments of a meteorite that exploded upon entry into the atmosphere. Stones fell to L'Aigle are now exhibited in Vienna, London, Budapest... This exhibition presents fragments belonging to the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Information panels for understanding the phenomenon of meteorites. Open from April to September. Free admission.
See later in the lobby of City Hall, the castle site, after an exhibition of musical instruments donated by composer Marcel Angot (twentieth century), a native of the city. Gathered 90 bill instruments and varied origin (wind, string or ethnic) presented in a display case. Open all year from Monday to Friday. Free entry.
Finally, was opened in 2014 in the space of the museum Louis Tanners Sunroom. This native of Perche farmer was also a woodcarver and produced many models and buildings in connection with the religious heritage (Sanctuary of Lourdes, Nogent Crucis of Artaud, the church's communion table of Saint Hilaire le Châtel...). Open all year on Wednesday from 14 to 17 hours. Information at +33 2 33 84 44 44.
sports side, visitors and tourists have available many facilities: 1 multi-sports hall and 2 indoor tennis courts Napoleon Gym, 5 tennis courts and one basketball court at the stage René Foisy, 2 land grassed, 1 fitness trail, 1 sports ground at the stage of the Bois de la Pierre, a Skate Park next to the gymnasium Pierre Pichot, a City Street Stadium Jean-Baptiste Biot.
An ATV park also rue Biot, was also appointed. All information on these facilities Sports Service (Contact +33 2 33 84 44 43).
Moreover, the Cap'Orne aquatic center offers sports pools and wellness facilities. Information at +33 2 33 24 18 18.
Finally, hikers can consider courses including urban heritage elements but also inroads into rural territory (hedgerow landscapes, trails along rivers, woodlands). Maps and information +33 2 33 24 12 40.
