Scriptorial
About This Museum
You'd never guess this unassuming town was once home to one of Europe's greatest medieval libraries. The Scriptorial museum in Avranches is built right into the base of the old town walls, a clever modern structure tucked against ancient stone. It’s all about the story of books, but before the printing press—think monks, ink pots, and breathtakingly beautiful handwriting. The star of the show is a collection of manuscripts from Mont Saint-Michel, saved from the dissolving monasteries during the French Revolution. Walking through, you feel like you're uncovering a secret history of knowledge.
Collection Highlights
The real treasures are the original illuminated manuscripts from Mont Saint-Michel itself, including stunning charts of the night sky and religious texts glowing with gold leaf. You can also see the actual tools scribes used—quills, knives for scraping parchment, and ancient ink wells.
Visitor Information
It's right on Place d'Estouteville in Avranches, and honestly, it's a perfect stop before or after you visit Mont Saint-Michel since it provides all this incredible context.
Architecture & Building
A really smart mix of contemporary design nestled directly into the historic ramparts of the city; it feels both brand new and ancient at the same time.
Contact & Location
Address: Place d'Estouteville, Avranches, Manche, Normandie, France métropolitaine, 50300, France
Phone: +33 2 33 79 57 01
Website: Visit Website
