Avranches Heritage Days

Avranches Opens Its Heritage Treasures

Every third weekend of September, the European Heritage Days transform the city of Avranches into a vast open-air museum. This national event, created in 1984, allows free access to heritage sites usually closed to the public and a new perspective on the city's cultural institutions.

The Scriptorial in the Spotlight

The Scriptorial, museum of the manuscripts of Mont-Saint-Michel, is one of the jewels of Avranches' heritage. During the Heritage Days, it offers special activities centered around medieval manuscripts, calligraphy workshops, and guided tours of its exceptional collections. The heritage library also opens its doors with thematic exhibitions, such as "Collections on the Move," showcasing its rare and precious holdings.

A Varied Program of Activities

The Heritage Days program in Avranches includes thematic guided tours, such as the "Protect Your Heritage" trail, exhibitions at the Scriptorial and the library, conferences on local history, particularly around the Saint-Gervais basilica, and visits to the Grand Doyenné, a magnificent 13th-century medieval residence.

Exceptional Heritage

Avranches boasts remarkable heritage linked to its millennia-old history and its proximity to Mont-Saint-Michel. The manuscripts of Mont-Saint-Michel preserved at the Scriptorial, the Saint-Gervais basilica, the gardens overlooking the bay, the Grand Doyenné, and the ramparts testify to the historical and cultural richness of this Norman city. The Heritage Days are the ideal opportunity to (re)discover them.

Free and Accessible

Almost all activities offered during the Heritage Days in Avranches are free and open to all. It is a special time for families, the curious, and history enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the city's heritage and better understand the cultural identity of this exceptional territory.