ORNE, a department of the north-west of France, about half of which formerly belonged to the province of Normandy and the rest to the duchy of Alencon and to Perche. Pop. 273,717.
Area, 2,371 sq.m. West of the Orne and the railway from Ar gentan to Alencon lie primitive rocks connected with those of Brittany; to the east begin the Jurassic and Cretaceous forma tions of Normandy. The district of the newer rocks is rich agri culturally, that of the older rocks poor, but the whole department is relatively high land, by far the greater portion being over the 600 ft. contour (highest point, forest of Ecouves, 1,368 ft.). It forms a centre whence rivers diverge in all directions, traversing deeply-cut and picturesque valleys, in many cases well-wooded with fine oaks.
Horse-breeding is very important in the rural districts ; there are three breeds—those of Perche, Le Merlerault and Brittany.
The great government stud of Le Pin-au-Haras (established in 1714), with its school of horse-breeding, is situated between Le Merlerault and Argentan. A large number of lean cattle are bought in the neighbouring departments to be fattened; the farms near Vimoutiers, on the borders of Calvados, produce the famous Camembert cheese, and others excellent butter. The bee industry is very flourishing. Oats, wheat, barley and buckwheat are the chief cereals, and fodder in great quantity and variety, potatoes and some hemp are grown. The variety of production is due to the great natural diversity of the soils. Small farms are the rule, and the fields are surrounded by hedges relieved by pollarded trees. Along the roads or in the enclosures are numerous pear and apple trees, the latter yielding cider, part of which is manufactured into brandy. Orne has iron mines and freestone quarries; a kind of
smoky quartz known as Alencon diamond is found. The hot springs of Bagnoles, which contain salt, sulphur and arsenic, are famous. In the forest of Belleme is the chalybeate spring of La Hesse, which was used by the Romans.
Cotton and linen weaving, notably at Flers (q.v.) and La Ferte Mace (pop. 3,745), forms the staple industry of Orne. Alencon and Vimoutiers make linen and canvas. Vimoutiers has bleacheries, which, with dye-works, are found in the textile centres. At Alen con only a little of the lace which takes its name from the town is still made. There are foundries and wire-works in the depart ment, and articles in copper, zinc and lead are manufactured. Pins, needles, wire and hardware are produced at Laigle (pop. and hardware also at Tinchebray. There are glass-works, paper mills, tanneries (the waters of the Orne being reputed to give a special quality to the leather), and glove-works. Coal, raw cotton, metals and machinery are imported. The exports include woven and metal manufacture, live stock and farm produce.
The department is served by the Ouest-Etat railway. There are two arrondissements, with Alencon, the capital, and Argentan, as their chief towns, 36 cantons and 513 communes. The depart ment forms the diocese of Sees (province of Rouen) and part of the academie (educational division) of Caen, and the region of the IV. army corps; its court of appeal is at Caen.