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) et 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.
In 1979, Genêts and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas split from Dragey-Tombelaine which changed its name to Dragey-Ronthon.
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:
Arrondissement
The Arrondissement of Avranches is made up of 10 cantons and 13 communes:
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Avranches | 9,226 | 4.5 km²/450 ha | 2,050.22/km² | 50025 | 50030 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Barenton | 1,415 | 34.88 km²/3,488 ha | 40.57/km² | 50029 | 50720 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Braffais | 165 | 5.79 km²/579 ha | 28.5/km² | 50071 | 50870 | - | -
|
| ' | 2,319 | 20.96²/2,096 ha | 1,110.64/km² | 50074 | 50370 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Ducey | 2,217 | 11.21 km².1,121 ha | 197.77/km² | 50168 | 50220 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Beauchamps | 359 | 4.1 km²/410 | 87.56/km² | 50038 | 50320 | - | -
|
| Folligny | 777 | - | - | 50188 | 50320 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| La Bazoge | 169 | 5.8 km²/580 | 29.14/km² | 50037 | 505230 | - | -
|
| Bellefontaine | 159 | 6.73 km²/673 ha | 23.63/km² | 50043 | 50520 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Bion | 449 | 12.26 km²/1,226 ha | 36.62/km² | 50056 | 50140 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Aucey-la-Plaine | 370 | 9.39 km²/939 ha | 50019 | 50170 | - | -
|
| Beauvoir | 435 | 14.29 km²/1,429 ha | 30.44/km² | 50043 | 50170 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Argouges | 550 | 16.41 km²/1,641 ha | 50018 | 50240 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Boisyvon | 277 | 5.72 km²/572 ha | 48.43/km² | 50062 | 50800 | - | -
|
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Dragey-Ronthon | 616 | - | - | 50167 | 50530 | - | -
|
Population: 616 (1999)
| Name | Population (1999) | Area | Density | INSEE code | Postal code | Name of inhabitants | Website
|
| Beauficel | 165 | 9.13 km²/913 ha | 18.07/km² | 50040 | 50150 | - | -
|
| Brouains | 218 | 3.79 km²/379 ha | 57.52/km | 50088 | 50150 | - | -²
|
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