The Museum of Fine Arts and Lace is the main cultural attraction in Alençon and one of the best specialist museums in Normandy. The lace collection is the core of the museum — Alençon point lace was once the most prized lace in France, made by hand using a technique so complex it is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The museum explains the process through examples, tools, and demonstrations, and has pieces of exceptional quality dating back to the 17th century.
The fine arts section holds a good collection of Flemish, Dutch, and French paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries, along with applied arts and temporary exhibitions. The building itself, a former courthouse and Jesuit college, is worth seeing. The museum is closed on Mondays and there is a modest admission charge.