Town of La Manche, in Normandy, Avranches takes place on the southern coast of the department, in the heart of the Avranchin country. The one called the City of Manuscripts is facing the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, not far from Villedieu-les-Poeles, Pontorson or Saint-James.
Occupied by the people of the Abrincates in antiquity, the territory of Avranches sees the birth of the city from this period, especially during the battle between Quintus Titurius Sabinus and Viridovix, in - 56 BC. Called Legedia, the city became bishopric seat in the fifth century and sees a few centuries later its history closely linked with that of Mont Saint-Michel. Royal city in the twelfth century, it is heavily ravaged by the Hundred Years War, then agitated by the rebellion of barefoot in 1639 and the war of Vendée in the late eighteenth century. Greatly destroyed by the Allied bombing of the Second World War, it began its reconstruction in 1946.
From its rich past, Avranches has managed to preserve some monuments that are worth visiting to better know the history of this region full of treasures.
Built in the early 11th century, the donjon is the work of Robert of Avranches, illegitimate son of Duke Richard I. Raised on the remains of an ancient Roman castellum, it collapsed in the 19th century after being crossed by a new street. A curtain and a tower adorned with battlements, still present, are wrongly called dungeon today.
Classified as a Historical Monument, the Grand-Doyenne dates from the 12th century. Former mansion of the family Subligny, it became with time the residence of the deans of the cathedral chapter of Avranches.
Rebuilt in the early 10th century, St. Andrew's Cathedral is a Romanesque building completely destroyed in the nineteenth century following the collapse of the vault of the cross. In its place has been laid Thomas Beckett Square at the entrance of which we can discover a tombstone located on the site where Henry II Plantagenet came to penance for the murder of Thomas Beckett.
Formerly located outside the city, the church Notre-Dame des Champs dates from the end of the 17th century. Very simple, it was completely redone in the second half of the 19th century because it became too narrow. Severely damaged by the bombings of 1944, it was reopened to the public in the early 1960s.
Built in the middle of the 17th century, the Basilica of St. Gervais was rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century in a charming neoclassical style. It is still possible to see inside the collections of the small museum of the treasure, with in particular very beautiful pieces of liturgical goldsmith's work.
Opened in the second half of the 2000s, the Scriptorial is the museum of manuscripts of Mont-Saint-Michel. It has more than 200 medieval volumes including rich translations of works of antiquity by Plato, Cicero or Aristotle. He exhibited in particular the first edition of the Encyclopedia of Diderot and Alembert, or the cartulary of Mont-Saint-Michel written over three centuries from the twelfth century. Appreciated for the richness of his illustrations and the quality of his parchment, he lists the charters and other acts of the time. It is all the more valuable as the originals of the texts he presents burned in June 1944.
The Museum of Art and History of Avranches, labeled Museum of France, is also appreciated for its collections.
While strolling in the city, you will also be able to discover the memorial to Patton, the former episcopal palace of the fourteenth century which serves as court of instance, the college of the end of the eighteenth century, the mansions of Malloué and Beaurepaire, or still the old abbey Sainte-Anne de Moutons founded by Louis XIII in the seventeenth century and today serves as a theater and cultural center.
Awarded three flowers in the contest of towns and villages in bloom France, the city also has many green spaces like the garden of plants offering a breathtaking view of the Sée and the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and which reveals the old well the Abbey of Moutons and the Romanesque portal of the Saint-Georges Chapel of Bouillés, both listed as Historical Monuments.
The market is held every Saturday morning. A Christmas market is also offered in December. Three times a year, the Scriptorial offers temporary exhibitions.
Concerts are offered during the Fête de la Musique on June 21.
A ball, a torchlight retreat and fireworks are organized for July 14 and the national holiday.
Between July and August, the town participates in the Festival des Grandes Marées event, hosting several concerts by national and international artists.
Exposition "Eldo Videl-Perdriel"
- From 25 may to 9 june 2024
- 15 rue de Géôle, Atelier Bergevin
- To mark the "Remarkable Tree" label awarded to the magnolia tree on the property where she lived, and the 20th anniversary of her death, Mr. Jean-Louis Perdriel, the Friends of the Musée d'Avranches and the Horticultural Society are pleased to present this exhibition, in collaboration with the town of Avranches. Every afternoon, from 2 pm to 6 pm, at the Bergevin workshop.
80e Anniversaire du Débarquement > Parade de Véhicules Militaires
- On 3 june 2024
- Mairie, Notre-Dame-des-Champs
- A convoy of 50 military vehicles from Belgium will parade towards Mont-Saint-Michel. It will leave Pontaubault at 9:30 am, stopping off at Pontorson at 11 am and arriving at Le Mont-Saint-Michel at 3 pm.
Visite Guidée > A la Découverte des Manuscrits du Trésor
- On 5 june 2024
- 6 Place d'Estouteville, Scriptorial
- Nestling in the heart of the city walls of Avranches, the Scriptorial is the only museum in France dedicated to the presentation of medieval manuscripts, a fabulous collection from the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. Spanning over 1500 m², you'll discover the history of the famous abbey in the Middle Ages, and the secrets behind the production of the first books. The museum leads naturally to the Treasure Room, where 12 manuscripts are on display. They are on display here for three months, before being replaced by 12 others. A low turnover ensures that they will be preserved for a long time to come.
Visite Guidée d'une Bibliothèque d'Exception
- On 5 june 2024
- Bibliothèque patrimoniale, Place Littré
- Every 1st Wednesday of the month, it opens its doors to lovers of old books and surprising places for a guided tour. Located on the 2nd floor of the Avranches town hall, this heritage library contains a vast number of books (around 13,000) dating from the 15th to the 19th century. A reference collection on Avranches, Avranchin, Mont Saint-Michel and Normandy. The place itself is a sight to behold. - The library is also open Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, to researchers, bibliophiles and local history enthusiasts… by appointment, and occasionally for events such as Heritage Days or Museum Night. - Free - Duration : 30 minutes
Sophro'Balade : Partons à la Découverte de la Vallée de la Bourdonnière
- On 6 june 2024
- Saint Martin-des-Champs, Vallée de la Bourdonnière
- Explore, step by step. Reclaim your body, rediscover the pleasure of walking and recharge your batteries in this bucolic setting of woods, fields and streams. - During a sophro'balade, a combination of sophrology, gentle walking and discovery of the area for a moment of letting go, relaxation and escape. - Exact meeting point indicated on registration.
80e Anniversaire du Débarquement "Les Clochers de la Liberté"
- On 6 june 2024
- 9 Place Carnot, Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Parvis de l'église
- For the 4th year in 2024, on June 6 at 7:44pm, 3,300 towns will ring their church bells to commemorate D Day 1944, the precious day that began the liberation of France and then Europe. - Since that day on June 6, and for 78 years, our liberators have returned to our soil to remember the ordeal and the freedom they regained. Scenes of joy, tributes, commemorations, balls and parades have never ceased throughout France, with the exception of 2020, the year of the Covid epidemic. While the world was under quarantine, the idea of the "liberty steeples" was born. A simple, universal idea : to ring church bells at the same time every June 6, wherever you are. - Because freedom has never been so fragile in our world, and major conflicts are ravaging peoples, the town of Avranches, along with many other communes that have joined the movement, is working to ensure that the memory of June 6 remains the symbol of courage and commitment in the service of freedom. We invite all residents to join us on the square in front of Notre Dame des Champs church. Bring your picnic !
80e Anniversaire du Débarquement > Conférence "Avranches & Le Mont-Saint-Michel : de l'Occupation à la Libération"
- On 7 june 2024
- Mairie salle du conseil, Place Littré
- During the occupation, some 325,000 German soldiers visited Mont Saint-Michel, a popular tourist destination. The rest of the country was also under occupation, with restrictive regulations and requisitions for the occupying forces. On June 6,1944, the Allies landed in Normandy. After liberating northern Cotentin, the Americans launched Operation Cobra to take Avranches. The night of July 30-31 saw the famous Battle of Mont Jarry. As for the commune of Mont-Saint-Michel, journalists were the first to arrive on August 1. Free - No reservation required - Open to all
Soirée Concert au Scriptorial
- On 7 june 2024
- 6 Place d'Estouteville, Scriptorial
- An exceptional musical evening : for the first time, the singing and clarinet classes of the École des Arts de Mortain and Avranches take over the Scriptorial. - In the spotlight are the clarinet ensemble, led by Emmanuel Branca, and the 11-strong vocal workshop, directed by Céline Quilbec and accompanied on harp by Laura Marchese and on piano by Pascal Douvier. - The program is varied, ranging from the epic Anton Bruckner to the timeless melodies of the Beatles, a true immersion in a musical universe where eras meet and reinvent themselves. - A moment of sharing and conviviality in the heart of Avranches ? Cultural heritage, a setting steeped in history, offering incomparable acoustics and ambience ! - ? Locus Iste Anton Bruckner (1824 ? 1896) - ? Ubi Caritas Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) - ? Gaelic blessing John Rutter (b. 1945) - ? The seal lullaby Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) - ? The rose Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) - ? Sous le dôme épais (excerpt from the opera Lakmé) Léo Delibes (1836 ? 1891) - ? Mignonne Cécile Cheminade (1857 ? 1944) - ? Memory (from the musical Cats) Trevor Nunn (b. 1940) / A. Lloyd Webber (b. 1948) - ? Send in the clows (from the musical A Little Night Music) Stephen Sondheim (1930 ? 2021) - ? Hallelujah Leonard Cohen (1934 ? 2016) - ? If I fell The Beatles - ? Love is all you need (a tribute to The Beatles) medley arranged by Roger Emerson - Free admission, with registration : 02 33 79 57 00 or patrimoine@avranches.fr
Concert de l'Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de la Baie
- On 8 june 2024
- Ancien haras
- For its spring concert, the Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de la Baie has chosen a program essentially devoted to Mozart in his Salzburg period. Conducted by Vincent Le Tortorec, the orchestra will perform Symphony no. 29 in A major. This justly famous work is characteristic of the "gallant" style practiced by the 18-year-old composer at the time. The choir and a quartet of soloists then join the orchestra for the famous Coronation Mass, written for Salzburg in 1779 and used at the coronation of the Bohemian king in 1791. The famous Laudate Dominum from Vespers for a Confessor completes the program. - A dozen students from the music school's orchestra will join the Evib orchestra, thanks to a partnership with the arts school, for two pieces in this concert.
Les Visites du Jeudi > Atelier du Chat Noir
- On 13 june 2024
- 12 rue des Trois Rois, Atelier du Chat Noir
- Textile creation - Come and discover the different steps necessary to create textile accessories.