Le Scriptorial, musée des manuscrits du Mont-Saint-Michel
Municipal museum of Avranches presenting the original manuscripts of the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey and the history of the book, housed in a contemporary building.
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About the museum
The Scriptorial is the municipal museum of Avranches. It brings together in one place the city’s two major collection families: the museum, with painting, graphic arts, archaeological furniture, statuary, lapidary and sacred art, and the heritage library, with the Mont-Saint-Michel manuscripts and printed books, plus numerous archive documents such as postcards and plans.
The route places the abbey’s manuscripts in their historical and local context, in a chronological and thematic presentation. It ends with the original manuscripts, shown in the heart of the building, known as the Trésor, in a dark room to protect them from light. The museum has two levels with seven permanent exhibition rooms and two temporary exhibition rooms, as well as a screening room, an activity room and a shop.
The triangular building fits into the medieval fortifications while displaying contemporary architecture. Its upward route recalls the climb to the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey. A 13th-century storeroom (cellier), rediscovered during preventive excavations, is integrated into the museum display.
Highlights
- Original manuscripts of the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey in the Trésor
- History of the book, from papyrus to e-book
- 13th-century storeroom integrated into the route
- Free audio guides in six languages, including a children’s route
- Activity booklet for children and guide with the little demon Titivillus
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent : les manuscrits du Mont-Saint-Michel – Chronological and thematic route through seven rooms, ending with the original manuscripts in the Trésor.
- Operated by
- Ville d'Avranches
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Holders of the Carte Czam and holders of a full-price ticket for the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey, the Hambye abbey, the La Lucerne abbey, Pirou castle, the Vains ecomuseum or Chantore castle. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 24 · Free for visitors under 25 (inclusive), for individual visits only, on proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for the person with a disability and one companion, on proof. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €7 per personAdult groups of at least 15 people, excluding companion, guide and driver; guide supplement of €20 for a simple one-hour visit or €30 for a talk-visit of 1 hour 30 minutes (maximum 34 people). Under 15 people, the individual rate of €9 applies. |
| Temporary exhibition only | €4 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, from April to September, except public holidays (free for all visitors)
The full price of €9 gives access to the permanent route and the temporary exhibition. Also free, on proof, for recipients of the RSA and ARE benefits, tour guides, Friends of the Musée d’Avranches, holders of the Muséopass and the ICOM card. A full-price ticket entitles the holder to a reduced rate at several partner sites in the Manche department. The ticket is dated and allows entry and exit all day. Payment accepted in cash, by bank card, cheque, holiday vouchers, culture vouchers and Pass Culture.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Collection and exhibition rooms are accessible to people with reduced mobility; the museum asks that visits be announced at 02 33 79 57 00. Induction loop at reception, walking-stick seats on request, defibrillator at the entrance, easy-read booklet for the permanent route, simplified captions in the Trésor. Guide dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 24 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Small guide for children under 12 with the little demon Titivillus, young visitor booklet for children from 6, audio guides with a children’s route from age 10, play areas (memory game, colouring of illuminations) and an educational kit on parchment and calligraphy. Changing table in the women’s toilets.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
TER train Rennes–Caen; buses: line 306 (Saint-Lô–Avranches), 307 (Avranches–Granville), 308 (Granville–Le Mont-Saint-Michel) and 309 (Vire–Normandie–Avranches).
The website also mentions electric vehicle charging points in Avranches and cycle access via the Véloscénie route: get off at Pontaubault from the Ducey–Mont-Saint-Michel section.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop open to everyone during opening hours, with nearly 1,000 titles (books on writing, illumination, bookbinding, Normandy, the Middle Ages, children’s books), about a hundred postcards and stationery.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, DE, ES, IT, NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography without flash only. |
| Good to know | Free audio guides, handed out at reception when buying a ticket, while devices are available; a children’s route is available. Guided tours for groups in French and English, subject to guide availability. Group bookings by email with the reservations service. Prohibited: touching the works, running, smoking, eating or drinking in the rooms, using a phone. Animals are not admitted except guide dogs. |
