Attractions and Places To See around La Chaise-Baudouin - Top 19

At the end of the old town, in the extension of Place Daniel Huet, the old square was reorganized into three areas. To the south of the square, according to the plans of the former Bishop of Avranches, 21 trees with hawthorn stems were planted near a children's playground. Faithful to the plan of the archaeologist who excavated the site in the 1970s, the architect realized the nave of the cathedral with a low granite wall crowned with an oak crossbeam on which one could sit. The tombstone commemorating the penance of King Henri Plantagenêt was replaced in the place of the north portal. A triple arcade in Corten steel 6 meters high symbolizes the main gate of the disappeared building and two faceted masts 33 meters high, the towers. Like sentinels or a signal over the bay, these masts are also and above all enormous lightning rods, which the city did not have. The overhanging forecourt offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and the Sée valley. Free access. https://www.wikimanche.fr/Square_Thomas-Becket_(Avranches)

A magnificent, symmetrically laid out town hall. When we visited, it was decorated with flags to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation. Touchingly, it was also decorated with the West German flag on this occasion. Living neighborliness in 21st century Europe.

Finally, vacation! The whole family is finally setting off for Brittany. After 700 km, we need a break. The motorway service station is completely overcrowded, so we just drive off. By chance, we end up in Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny, a small, historic town in Normandy. The large town square is closed off; the 80th anniversary of the liberation is being celebrated. And amazingly, the black, red and gold German flag is hanging on the town hall. We sit down in a cafe on the town square and drink a Coke. Next to us, the golden statue of the Republic with a Phrygian cap gleams from a high column erected in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the revolution. Opposite, the Gothic tower of the church towers over the old stone houses; gargoyles, which fortunately have nothing to do today, look down from high roofs, including a dog-like one with funny floppy ears. Next to it is a boulangerie, which is chosen to replenish the provisions and to check the usability of the school French. The result is a taste experience: wonderfully crispy baguette, wonderful, finely wrapped croissants and a dark bread with a strong, crunchy crust, in which nuts and raisins are baked. The latter definitely justifies a detour to this wonderful bakery. Another quick look into the church: an early Gothic-looking room with small windows, round columns and a heavy vault. We are delighted to see and meet an exceptionally cheerful Saint Anthony with a happy baby Jesus in his arms. Another short stroll through the beautiful, flower-adorned streets, then we continue our journey, rested.

The market in Avranches every Saturday is definitely worth a visit!

The old Notre-Dame des Champs church was located, as its name suggests, outside the city, to the south. This very simple church, known from a photo and a few engravings, dates from the end of the 17th century. Having become too small and work becoming necessary, the idea was accepted, around 1855, of constructing a new building, especially after the collapse of the Saint-André cathedral. Plans and an estimate were drawn up by the architect Nicolas Théberge, architect from La Manche and “child of the parish”. We also owe the latter other buildings in the neo-Gothic style such as Saint-Patrice du Teilleul in 1851, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët in 1855, Saint-Pair de Sartilly or Sainte-Croix de Saint-Lô in 1860. However, it was not until April 12, 1863 to witness the laying of the first stone. The "neo-Gothic" style decided on by the architect involves the construction of a building with bold proportions that completely break with those of the modest church that we wish to replace. The means of the city and the parish were insufficient, especially since the reconstruction of Saint-Gervais had been very expensive, and in 1865 the mayor of Avranches and the archpriest traveled to Paris to seek help state finance. This long-requested aid was not finally granted until 1876 and the consecration of the church by Bishop Germain took place on November 13, 1892. The slow construction of the building was marred by many sometimes tragic events such as, in 1868, the death of a twenty-seven-year-old mason who fell from the height of the rose window where he was working. The architect Théberge, who died in 1866, was replaced by Cheftel. Delayed by the First World War, which mobilized all the workforce, the two towers of the facade were completed between 1926 and 1937; at this time, the large organs were also installed, the wind tunnel of which immediately benefited from electricity. In June 1944, the church was seriously damaged by a fire following the bombardment of the city. Restoration work lasted several years and the reopening to worship only took place in February 1962. The church is in the form of a nave with a façade with two towers (unfinished arrows), a projecting transept, and an ambulatory choir with an axial chapel (never built)1. The church had been provided with a set of windows signed Duhamel-Marette, destroyed by the bombings of 1944

Second main church in the center of Avranches, easily recognizable in the silhouette of the town, which retains on its right side a bas-relief in limestone from the 14th century. The bas-relief represents the massacre of the innocent saints by Leverrier. The church, classified as a Historic Monument in 1904, is the main point of a complex that was even higher more than a century ago. Between 1835 and 1853, the church supported a telegraphy antenna, more than 100 meters above sea level, taking advantage of the elevated location of the city. https://www.patrimoine-religieux.fr/eglises_edifices/50-Manche/50025-Avranches/186696-EgliseSaint-Saturnin

At the end of the old town, in the extension of Place Daniel Huet, the old square has been reorganized into three spaces. To the south of the square, as on the plans of the former bishop of Avranches, 21 trees, hawthorns on stems, have been planted near a children's play area. Faithful to the plan provided by the archaeologist who excavated the site in the 1970s, the architect materialized the nave of the cathedral with a low granite wall topped with an oak crosspiece on which to sit. The funerary slab, which commemorates the penance of King Henri Plantagenêt, has been replaced at the location of the north portal. A triple arcade in Corten steel 6 meters high symbolizes the main door of the building that has disappeared and two faceted masts of 33 meters, the towers. Like watchmen or a signal over the bay, these masts are also and above all formidable lightning rods which the city did not have. In front, overhanging, the forecourt offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and the Sée valley. Free access. https://www.wikimanche.fr/Square_Thomas-Becket_(Avranches)

This former fortified castle was built in the 10th century to protect the city from Breton attacks. Located on a rock, it offers beautiful views over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the Sée valley.