Perche is a region of northern France extending over the départements of Orne, Eure, Eure-et-Loir and Sarthe.

Geography

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Its boundaries are Normandie on the N. and W., Maine on the S.W., Vendomois and Dunois on the S., Beauce on the E. and Thimerais on the N.E.

The greater part of the district is occupied by a semicircle of heights (from 650 to 1000 ft. in height) stretching from Moulins-la-Marche on the northwest to Montmirail on the south; within the basin formed thereby the shape of which is defined by the Huisne, an affluent of the Sarthe, lie the chief towns of Mortagne-au-Perche, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Bellême.

Economy

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Stock-raising and dairy-farming are flourishing in the Perche, which is famous for the production of a breed of large and powerful horses, called Percherons. Cider-apples and pears are grown throughout the district.

History

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In the Middle Ages, the Perche constituted a county of which Corbon, Mortagne and Nogent-le-Rotrou were successively the capitals. Under the ancient regime it formed, together with Maine, a government of which Mortagne was the capital.

References

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External link

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• Le Perche, emigration to Quebec in the 17th century

Former provinces of France | Eure | Eure-et-Loir | Orne | Sarthe

Le Perche | Comté du Perche