Like so many of the larger towns in Normandy , Avranches has some excellent museums, a beautiful botanical garden with views over the bay of Mont Saint Michel and an ancient castle and keep, built around 950 AD. All well worth a visit.

But for us the attraction of Avranches is the town centre – the lovely old buildings and squares, the numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, the variety of shops, the markets – it is a vibrant little town that appears not to depend on tourists, but is more than happy to welcome them.

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