a town of France, capital of a cognominal arrondissement in the department of Orne, on a steep eminence at the foot of which flows the Varenne, 35 miles W.N.W. of Alençon. This was formerly one of the strongest places in Normandy. It was several times taken and retaken by the French and English, and by the Protestants and Catholics. The church of Notre Dame is a fine old building, and contains the tomb of William, Count of Bellesme, the founder of the town. The chief manufactures are coarse linen and hempen cloths. Pop. (1851) 2773.