Avranches is a commune of Normandy, France, in the Manche département, of which it is a sous-préfecture. Population (1999): 9,226. The commune (in French: commune, word appeared in the 12th century, from Medieval Latin communia, meaning a gathering of people sharing a common life, from Latin communis, things held in common) is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. ... Flag of Normandy Mont Saint Michel is a historic pilgrimage site and a symbol of Normandy Normandy is a geographical region in northern France. ... Manche is a French département in Normandy named after La Manche (the sleeve), which is the French name of the English Channel. ... Template:France divisions levels, Junkyard Willie The départements (or departments) are administrative units of France and many former French colonies, roughly analogous to British counties. ... Subprefecture is an administrative level that is below prefecture or province. ...

It is the chief-town of the Arrondissement of Avranches. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

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. Henry II (5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, and as King of England (1154–1189) and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland, eastern Ireland, and western France. ... Penance is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (also called Confession). ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. ... Saint Thomas Becket (December 21, 1118 – December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. ... May 21 is the 141st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (142nd in leap years). ... Events Duke Richard of Aquitaine becomes Duke of Poitiers. ... The Roman Catholic Church (commonly known as the Catholic Church) is the Christian Church which is led by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it is the one holy catholic and apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ. ...

The Avranches breakthrough in World War II began on July 31, 1944, and was led by General George S. Patton. Combatants Allies: • Soviet Union, • UK & Commonwealth, • USA, • France/Free France, • China, • Poland, • ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Japan, • Italy, • ...and others Commanders Strength Casualties Full list Full list World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a large scale military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. ... July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... George S. Patton, Jr. ...

In 1973, Dragey-Ronthon amalgamated Dragey, Genêts, Ronthon and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas formed into Dragey-Tombelaine. Other communes that amalgamated that year included: 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1973 calendar). ...

• 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. 1978 (MCMLXXVIII in Roman) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ...

In 1979, Genêts and Saint-Jean-le-Thomas split from Dragey-Tombelaine which changed its name to Dragey-Ronthon. This page refers to the year 1979. ...

In 2000, Carolles split from Jullouville and became a commune again. This article is about the year 2000. ...

Saint-Michel-des-Loups which had 477 inhabitants became a part of the canton of Sartilly.

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. The Cotentin Peninsula juts out into the English Channel from Normandy towards England, forming part of the north-west coast of France. ... Saint-Lô is a city and commune of France, the préfecture (capital) of the Manche département, in Normandy. ... National motto: Kentoch mervel eget bezañ saotret (Breton: Rather dead than soiled) Official languages French Capitals Rennes and Nantes Largest city Nantes Area -Total 27 208 Km² km² Population -Total (2004) 4,198,500 Currency Euro (€) (EUR) Time zone UTC, Summer: UTC +2 National emblem Ermine Patron saints St. ... Mont-Saint-Michel: sheep graze on the reclaimed pr -sal or salt meadow (2004) Mont Saint Michel is a small rocky islet, roughly one kilometer from the north coast of France at the mouth of the Couesnon River, near Avranches in Normandy, close to the border of Brittany. ... Aubert was ordered by the archangel Michael to start construction of what became Mont Saint Michel St. ... St. ... (7th century — 8th century — 9th century — other centuries) Events The Iberian peninsula is taken by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost 8 centuries of Muslim presence there. ...

Births

Avranches was the birthplace of:

• Paul-Armand Challemel-Lacour (1827 - 1896), statesman
• Jean-Luc Ponty (born 1942), violinist and jazz composer
• Samuel Le Bihan (born 1965), a movie actor.