Huisne

The Huisne is a river in northwestern France, flowing through the Orne and Sarthe departments in the Normandy and Pays de la Loire regions. It originates in the Perche plateau of the southern Perche area and travels generally southwest for about 100 kilometers, before joining the Sarthe River. The river’s basin is a rural landscape of forests, meadows and farmland, and it passes through several small communes in both departments.

As a tributary of the Sarthe, the Huisne collects water from multiple smaller streams along its course. Its flow varies with the seasons and local rainfall, and parts of the river are subject to flood events in wet years. The valley supports diverse habitats for aquatic and riparian species and provides habitats for birds, fish and invertebrates, with efforts in place to maintain water quality and natural vegetation along stretches of the banks.

Historically, the Huisne has supplied water for agriculture, milling and small industries in the Perche region and elsewhere in its valley. In addition to its economic role, the river and its banks contribute to local scenery and outdoor recreation, including fishing and walking routes. The Huisne is part of the larger Sarthe river system and contributes to the regional hydrology and landscape identity of western France.