Avranches Castle

Avranches Castle, locally known as Château d'Avranches, lies in the town of the same name, in the Manche department in France.

The site of Avranches Castle has been inhabited since the time of the Abrincatui, a Gallic tribe from the 1st century. The site was strategic; a rocky hill at the mouth of the confluence of the rivers Sée and Sélune, overlooking the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Around 950 the first castle at this site was built by Ansfrid the Dane on the remains of Roman fortifications. During the 11th century a new castle was erected on the site of the earlier castle. Its rectangular keep was probably built by Henry I of England. Henry had reconquered Normandy from his brother Robert Curthose after the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106 and needed strongholds to defend the borders of the Duchy of Normandy against opponents. Avranches was one of these strongholds, as were Domfront, Mortain and Vire.

In 1204, taking advantage of the fact that the King of France; Phillip II, was waging war against Normandy in order to reconquer it, the ruler of Brittany; Guy of Thoars, destroyed the town's defenses, including the castle which was an integral part of the town walls. They were subsequently rebuilt by Louis IX of France around 1236.

During the 14th and 15th century the castle and town walls were strengthened.

From 1744 on Avranches lost its military importance. During the 19th century the castle and town walls were dismantled, sold in pieces and used for habitation by the locals. The keep which had managed to remain until that century was gradually falling to ruin and collapsing. Later that century it almost completely disappeared when a new road was laid through it. Nowadays only partial walls of the keep remain on both sides of the Rue de la Belle Andrine.

In 1944, during WW II, the remains of the castle and town walls of Avranches suffered from bombings. Later some walls and towers were consolidated or rebuilt.

At present the remains of Avranches Castle can freely be visited. From atop one of its towers one has great views over the town and surrounding countryside with Mont-Saint-Michel on the horizon. A curious ensemble.

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Avranches Castle

Avranches Castle, locally known as Château d'Avranches, lies in the town of the same name, in the Manche department in France.

The site of Avranches Castle has been inhabited since the time of the Abrincatui, a Gallic tribe from the 1st century. The site was strategic; a rocky hill at the mouth of the confluence of the rivers Sée and Sélune, overlooking the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Around 950 the first castle at this site was built by Ansfrid the Dane on the remains of Roman fortifications. During the 11th century a new castle was erected on the site of the earlier castle. Its rectangular keep was probably built by Henry I of England. Henry had reconquered Normandy from his brother Robert Curthose after the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106 and needed strongholds to defend the borders of the Duchy of Normandy against opponents. Avranches was one of these strongholds, as were Domfront, Mortain and Vire.

In 1204, taking advantage of the fact that the King of France; Phillip II, was waging war against Normandy in order to reconquer it, the ruler of Brittany; Guy of Thoars, destroyed the town's defenses, including the castle which was an integral part of the town walls. They were subsequently rebuilt by Louis IX of France around 1236.

During the 14th and 15th century the castle and town walls were strengthened.

From 1744 on Avranches lost its military importance. During the 19th century the castle and town walls were dismantled, sold in pieces and used for habitation by the locals. The keep which had managed to remain until that century was gradually falling to ruin and collapsing. Later that century it almost completely disappeared when a new road was laid through it. Nowadays only partial walls of the keep remain on both sides of the Rue de la Belle Andrine.

In 1944, during WW II, the remains of the castle and town walls of Avranches suffered from bombings. Later some walls and towers were consolidated or rebuilt.

At present the remains of Avranches Castle can freely be visited. From atop one of its towers one has great views over the town and surrounding countryside with Mont-Saint-Michel on the horizon. A curious ensemble.

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Details
Hits: 3362