Perche

views updated

Perche (pĕrsh), region and former county, NW France, in portions of Orne, Eure-et-Loir, and Eure depts. Alençon, an important town of the region, is world famous for its lace. Horse breeding is a significant industry, and Perche has given its name to the Percheron horse. Much of the region is forested, and there are many apple orchards and grasslands. Perche was attached to the French crown in 1525.