The library of the old fund of the city of Avranches
13000 ancient books and 400 medieval manuscripts
The library of the old Fund kept, on the 2nd floor of the town hall, a little more than 13000 old books on the region of Avranches (15th-19th centuries). Library curator Barbara Denis-Morel is also responsible for the preservation and restoration of 400 manuscripts including 203 Mont Saint-Michel entrusted to the city of Avranches after the French Revolution. The fonds also has incunabula dating back to before 1501, including manuscripts from the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel.
The old collection library has an impressive collection of works dedicated to Avranchin and Mt St
Michel. In the scriptorial, it exposes about fifteen manuscripts to the public by rotation quarterly, most are preserved (in a chest) to the old Fund that can prepare exhibitions, loans and catalog many books not yet identified. The website developed by the old Fund will, eventually, to consult the complete catalog of this fund.
Beyond the rich heritage of such a fund, the library is also a superb visit. High of 7 meters on 18
meters long and 9 meters wide, with 2 spiral staircases and a "Giraffe" (movable staircase at right angle), the room of consultation was designed by a local architect in the mid-nineteenth century. Covered with oak lockers, the library old fons makes you take a trip back in time by its very environment.
Open to bibliophiles, local historians, students and researchers by appointment at 02 50 36 30 06.The old fund of the city of Avranches has a website
► Video report of France 3 Normandie on the old fund of the city of AvranchesPresent the majestic environment
of the library and collections as well as the cataloging work undertaken to make available all titles to
for consultation and research purposes.
About 50 manuscripts have been digitized by the CNRS and can be consulted on the website of the virtual library of medieval manuscripts. Reproductions illustrating this article are taken from them and are to be used exclusively in the non-commercial use with mention of origin BVMM-IRHT-CNRS
Photo Credits Virtual Library of Medieval Manuscripts - irht-cnrs