Avranches

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

It is the chief-town of the Arrondissement of Avranches.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Twin town
4 Births
5 Sources and references

[edit] History

In 1172 (September 27-28) a Council was held at Avranches apropos of the troubles caused in the English Church by the murder of the Anglo-Norman saint Thomas Becket. Henry II, King of England, after due penance done in Avranches on May 21, 1172, was absolved from the censures incurred by the assassination of the holy prelate, and reached the Compromise of Avranches with the Church, swearing fidelity to Pope Alexander III in the person of the papal legate.

It was forbidden by the same council to confer on children benefice that carry with him the cure of souls, or the children of priests the churches of their fathers. Each parish was required to have an assistant (vicarius) and the Advent fast was commended to all who could observe it, especially to ecclesiastics.

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.

[edit] 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.