Avranches

Avranches is a French commune in the Manche department, set elevated on a hill overlooking the marsh landscapes of Normandy. The town serves as a regional market center and provides facilities for agricultural product processing and administrative services.

The settlement existed during Roman times as the capital of the Abrincates tribe and developed into a important market town throughout the Middle Ages. The current administrative structure took its present form in 2019.

The library Fonds Ancien holds a remarkable collection of medieval manuscripts and documents from the 8th to 15th centuries. These handwritten works come partly from Mont-Saint-Michel and reveal the scholarly life of early medieval times.

The town center is walkable, with the main square offering local bakeries, cafes, and shops for daily needs. The cobbled streets are sometimes steep and narrow, so comfortable walking shoes and careful footing are recommended.

A marked square with chairs on the Plateforme shows where King Henry II performed public penance in 1172 for Thomas Becket's murder. This site attracts visitors who wish to relive this powerful moment of royal remorse.

Location: arrondissement of Avranches

Location: Manche

Inception: January 1, 2019

Shares border with: Marcey-les-Grèves, Ponts, Saint-Jean-de-la-Haize, Saint-Senier-sous-Avranches, Le Val-Saint-Père, Saint-Loup, Saint-Quentin-sur-le-Homme

Address: 50300 Avranches, France

Website: http://avranches.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.68444,-1.35694

Latest update: December 18, 2025 15:40