In short
- About 22 km (25 minutes) from the Mont, on a hill on the Normandy side of the bay.
- The Scriptorial displays the illuminated manuscripts copied by the monks of Mont-Saint-Michel; its ticket also gives the partner rate at the Abbey.
- The Saint-Gervais basilica treasury keeps the skull venerated as Saint Aubert's, with its famous hole.
- The Jardin des Plantes looks across the bay to the Mont.
The Scriptorial: the Abbey's library
When the abbey was emptied at the Revolution, its library of medieval manuscripts went to Avranches. Today about 200 of the Mont's manuscripts – Bibles, works of theology, philosophy, history and science copied and illuminated by the monks – are kept and shown at the Scriptorial, a modern museum in the town centre. The "treasure room" displays a rotating selection of the originals in low light; other rooms explain how parchment, ink and illumination were made.
It is the perfect complement to the Knights' Hall at the Abbey, where the monks once worked. A Scriptorial ticket also entitles you to the partner rate at the Abbey (Abbey tickets).
Saint Aubert's skull
Aubert, the bishop who founded the Mont's first sanctuary in 708, was bishop of Avranches. According to the legend, the archangel touched his skull to make him obey. A skull with a hole in it, venerated as his relic, is kept in the treasury of the Saint-Gervais basilica – one of the most curious relics in France (history).
The Jardin des Plantes and the view
The botanical garden on the edge of the old town, laid out on the site of a former convent, ends at a terrace with a panoramic view of the bay and the Mont – especially good at sunset. Nearby, the Plate-forme marks the site of the former cathedral, where King Henry II of England did public penance in 1172 after the murder of Thomas Becket.
Patton and 1944
In late July 1944 American forces broke out of Normandy at Avranches, opening the road into Brittany and the rest of France. A memorial square named after General George S. Patton, whose Third Army led the advance, commemorates the breakthrough.
Staying in Avranches
Avranches is a practical base with a real town centre, restaurants and easy parking, 25 minutes from the Mont.
Altos Hotel & Spa
AvranchesA modern hotel and spa in Avranches, about 25 minutes from the Mont.
See on Booking.comLogis Hôtel de la Croix d'Or
AvranchesA traditional Logis hotel-restaurant in the centre of Avranches.
See on Booking.comHôtel Patton
AvranchesA simple, central hotel in Avranches, convenient for the Scriptorial and the town centre.
See on Booking.comBest Western Le Moulin de Ducey
AvranchesA hotel in a former mill on the Sélune river at Ducey.
See on Booking.comSee all hotels in Avranches on Booking.com
Hotel links go to Booking.com, where you see live prices and availability. We do not list prices because they change daily; MontSaintMichel.com may earn a commission.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Scriptorial?
The Avranches museum that keeps and displays the medieval manuscripts of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey.
Can you see Mont-Saint-Michel from Avranches?
Yes, from the terrace of the Jardin des Plantes and other viewpoints on the hill.
Is Avranches a good base?
Yes, for drivers who want a town with services and lower prices than the Mont.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
MontSaintMichel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Abbey or of the Mont. Some links are affiliate links: tours and tickets go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
