Tourist attractions Avranches

The cloisters seem to be suspended between the sea and the sky. The gallery arcades display richly sculptured foliage, ornamented with the occasional animal or human figure; there are also a few religious symbols. The carving is further set off by de..

Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, founded an oratory on this island in 708 after the Archangel St Michael appeared three times to him. This was replaced in the early 8C by a Carolingian abbey, and subsequently modified and extended over later centuries...

The name, which means the Marvel, refers to all the buildings built on the north face of the mount between 1211 and 1228, to house monks, pilgrims and distinguished guests. From the outside, the buildings resemble a fortress. The interior is a fine e..

In 1791, Mont Saint Michel monastery was stripped of its assets. A collection of 4 000 volumes from its library has been amassed at the Scriptorial in Avranches, including 203 manuscripts, some of which date from the 9C and represent the spiritual, i..

This centre devoted to the conservation of the manuscripts of Mont-St-Michel is home to several rooms that show the geographical, historical and cultural background related to the documents, the history of the Mount, the manufacture of medieval manus..

From the route round these ramparts built between the 13 and 15C you'll find some attractive views over the Bay in particular from the north tower from which you can see Tombelaine's rock.

The effect is mysterious; the chamber is full of light although it appears to have only two windows in the end wall. A closer look reveals that the architect introduced a row of slim niches very high up in each recess to admit light without weakening..

The exterior of the church, particularly the east end, is a masterpiece with its buttresses, rampant arches, bell turrets and balustrades. The interior reveals a marked contrast between the severe, sombre Romanesque nave and the elegant, luminous Got..

This narrow street, the beginning of the assault on the Mount, is flanked by 15 and 16C houses with evocative names from the medieval Ages. Some are legendary addresses (Mother Poulard who sent the omelette all round the world) and many souvenir stal..

These attractive gardens provide a view of the west face of the Mount and the Saint-Aubert Chapel

Once almost in ruins, La Lucerne Abbey was practically reconstructed in spectacular fashion. Admire the 12C West front, the Romanesque doorway and the nave recalling the Cistercian style. Inside, the chancel is amazingly bright and lofty. Note the Go..

The workshop, which has retained its former charm, continues to manufacture bells for churches, ships, public buildings throughout the world and innumerable works of art in bronze such as commemorative plaques, statues and medals. In the company of f..

It was Bertrand Du Guesclin, captain of the Mount, who before going away to wage war in Spain had this lodge built for his young wife, Tiphaine Raguenel.

This church was built in the 11C but has been very much reworked since. Curiously the apse includes a street leading to the cemetery. It contains furniture coming from the Abbey.

This gate, the only opening in the ramparts, allows access to a fortified courtyard flanked on the left by the guardhouse of the Bourgeois (16C) opening out on to another courtyard then to the King's gate (15C) which has machicolations and a portcull..

This dike (which can be crossed on foot to reach Mont-St-Michel) is to be partially replaced by a pedestrian bridge. This plan is part of a major project to prevent the silting-up of the bay around Mont-St-Michel. The aim of this complex project is t..