Avranches is a commune of Normandy, France, in the Manche département, of which it is a sous-préfecture. Population (1999): 9,226.

History

Henry II did penance for the murder of the Anglo-Norman saint Thomas Becket in Avranches on May 21, 1172, and reached the Compromise of Avranches with the Church there.

The Avranches breakthrough in World War II began on July 31, 1944, and was led by General George S. Patton.

In 1973, Dragey-Ronthon amalgamated Dragey, Genêts, Ronthon and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas formed into Dragey-Tombelaine. Other communes that amalgamated that year included:

• Folligny which amalgamated La Beslière (old INSEE code: 50047) and Le Mesnil-Drey. La Beslière, Genêts, Le Mesnil-Drey (old INSEE code: 50309) Ronthon and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas received statutes for the associated communes.
• Isigny-le-Buat which amalgamated Les Biards (old INSEE code: 50053), Chalandrey (old INSEE code: 50113), La Mancellière (old INSEE code: 50286), Le Mesnil-Bœufs, Le Mesnil-Thébault (old INSEE code: 50322), Montgothier (old INSEE code 50344), Montigny, Naftel and Vezins.
• Jullouville amalgamated Carolles, Saint-Michel-des-Loups and Saint-Pair-sur-Mer to form Jullouville. Saint-Michel-des-Loups and Saint-Pair-sur-Mer received associations.

In 1978, Saint-Pair-sur-Mer split from Jullouville.

In 1979, Genêts and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas split from Dragey-Tombelaine which changed its name to Dragey-Ronthon.

In 2000, Carolles split from Jullouville and became a commune again.

Saint-Michel-des-Loups which had 477 inhabitants became a part of the canton of Sartilly.

Geography

Avranches is situated at the southern end of the Cotentin Peninsula on the E40 road connecting Saint-Lô with Brittany. From Avranches, it is possible to see the Mont Saint Michel, which was founded by St. Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches in the 8th century.

Births

Avranches was the birthplace of:

• Paul Amand Challemel-Lacour (1827 - 1896), statesman
• Jean-Luc Ponty (born 1942), violinist and jazz composer
• Samuel Le Bihan (born 1965), a movie actor.

Arrondissement

The Arrondissement of Avranches is made up of 10 cantons and 13 communes:

• Canton of Avranches:

• Canton of Barenton:

• Canton of Brécey:

• Reference: Propos de O. L. Barenton, confiseur, book by Auguste Detoeuf

• Canton of Ducey

• Canton of La Haye-Pesnel:

• Canton of Isigny-le-Buat:

• Canton of Juvigny-le-Tertre:

• Canton of Mortain:

• Canton of Pontorson:

• Canton of Saint-James:

• Canton of Saint-Pois:

• Canton of Sartilly:

Population: 616 (1999)

• Canton of Sourdeval: