We passed by it so many times over the years and even stop on the N175 highway to have lunch several times but never really got into City center until now ! As I think did not give it credit enough to a town I will showcase new pictures of it in my blog for you and me, Do read my other post on the town in my blog, The town of Avranches is located in the Manche dépt 50 in the region of Normandie of my belle France, Therefore, let me tell you on curiosities of Avranches !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Church Saint-Saturnin is a Neo-Gothic style, and was consecrated on March 29, 1900. It has been closed to the public since April 2018 for safety reasons. The church houses a 14C limestone bas-relief divided into three sections, depicting the Massacre of the Innocents, the Flight into Egypt, and a kneeling king accompanied by two knights. The church also contains furnishings such as a marble baptismal font with a brass cover; a pulpit (late 19C); a confessional (18C); a stoup (17C) in carved granite; and the tombstone of Jean Provost de la Fardinière, former Lieutenant General of the Viscounty and Honorary Councilor of the Bailiwick of Avranches. Funerary slab of François and Aubin Cudelou, priests.
Three stained-glass windows, dating from the late 19C. They depict: the death of Louis XIII (late 19C), attributed to Duhamel-Marette, after a painting by Jean-François de Troy executed for a church in Paris; Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and the Miracle of the Roses (late 19C), attributed to Duhamel-Marette; and the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, the Nativity of Christ, and the Crucifixion. A bit more on its history I like tell us that the patronage of Saint Saturnin, (Sernin) the first bishop of Toulouse, who died in the 3C, is rare in Normandy and is often a sign of antiquity. Merovingian tombs discovered nearby suggest that its foundation could date back to the 7C. Between 1835 and 1853, its bell tower, then located on the south side, supported a Chappe telegraph antenna, which placed it at a height of 103 meters. It was lengthened between 1846 and 1852 and heightened after 1864. In 1877, a tall square tower topped with a spire was added to the north side
The Donjon or Keep was built by the first Counts of Avranches in the 11C, measures 36 meters long by 26 meters wide. Its three levels house a great hall, a chamber, and possibly a chapel, making it the prototype of Anglo-Norman keeps built after the Battle of Hastings. According to some archaeologists, it may even have been one of the inspirations for the famous Tower of London. Other remnants of the town’s fortifications include the Saint-Louis Tower, also known as the Arsenal Tower, located between the City/town hall and Rue Belle Andrine. At its base is the Avranches en histoire multimedia kiosk. Also of note are the Geôle Tower and the Promenade Tower, both built into the town wall along Place d’Estouteville. The Audange Gate, now gone, stood on the site of the present-day Place Littré (its outline can be discerned thanks to a house that echoes the curve of the former tower). The Ponts Gate, also gone, whose towers were called “La Tourelle” and “La Barbicane” (its location has been marked at the intersection of Place d’Estouteville with Rue de Geôle and Rue de Lille). Sections of the city wall remain, notably below Square Becket. The keep, a symbol of ducal power, was dismantled after Normandy returned to the French crown in 1204. In 1810, a square turret was built on the north side of the keep to house the Chappe telegraph on the Paris-Brest line. Previously, it had been located on the towers of Saint-André Cathedral, which were in danger of collapsing. This turret was demolished in 1877. In 1848, the opening of the rue Neuve d’Office , today rue de la Belle-Andrine, behind the City/town hall ripped through the centre of the building, the remains of which collapsed in 1883.
The Mont Saint Michel -Normandie Tourisme-Bureau d’Informatin Touristique d’Avranches is located at 2 Rue du Général de Gaulle (see pic), Indeed one of the must sights to visit while in town,
The Jardin Bergevin Garden is integrated into the medieval fortifications of the town, which also house the Scriptorial. The three terraced levels offer several remarkable viewpoints overlooking the town. From the keep, the view of the bay and Mont Saint-Michel is breathtaking. In my picture you see the town below and the N175 highway towards Caen afar, See pic,
The town of Avranches on its heritage : https://www.avranches.fr/listes/visiter/
The Mont Saint Michel tourist office on Avranches : https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/en/discover/extend-the-discovery-of-the-bay/the-bay-of-mont-saint-michel-normandy-side/avranches-its-treasure-and-the-scriptorial/
The Manche dept 50 tourist office on Avranches : https://www.attitude-manche.fr/decouvrir/mont-saint-michel-normandie/avranches/
There you go folks, now I feel better given credit to this nice Norman town on the road between my beautiful Morbihan and my dear former Versailles. A wonderful stop for all, we are glad to get to know it a bit better now. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Avranches !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 