Located in the heart of Morbihan, between Lorient and Vannes, the town of Auray is bordered by the river that bears its name. The charming port of Saint-Goustan, its lively town center, its architecture inherited from bygone eras and its coastal atmosphere give Auray an undeniable charm. Whether in summer or winter, you'll love strolling through the town, basking in the sun on a terrace by the harbour or in one of the cobbled streets, or shopping in the boutiques.
Discover in this article the 11 must-sees in and around Auray to make the most of your stay.
1. Stroll through Auray town center
The cobbled streets and old houses give Auray's town center a special charm. Rue du Belzic, with its charming boutiques, leads you to Place aux Roues, then to the Chapelle du Saint-Esprit. Returning via Place Notre-Dame, you can admire the church of Saint-Gildas before heading towards the port of Saint-Goustan, via Rue du Château, lined with 17th-century houses, or the ramps of the Loch. To finish your walk, head up the tiny lanes behind the 15th-century houses, such as rue Saint-René and rue du Petit-Port.
Read more: Brittany's 15 most beautiful villages
2. The port of Saint-Goustan
Located on the banks of the Loch, the charming port of Saint-Goustan, where Benjamin Franklin docked in 1776, takes its name from the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. Appreciated for its picturesque views, bars and restaurants, it hosts numerous events each year, including the Book and Postcard Market, the Craft Market, the Joutes de Loch and the Oyster Festival. This traditional port of Auray, with its old houses and pedestrian streets, offers pleasant strolls and is an ideal place to enjoy a drink with friends in a peaceful atmosphere. In summer, you can even go canoeing or boating. A real little corner of paradise.
Read more: The Golfe du Morbihan, a Breton paradise between land and sea
3. What to do in Auray Stroll down the rue du lait
Located in the heart of Auray, Rue du Lait is a lively shopping street leading directly to the church of Saint-Gildas. This 17th-century church boasts a magnificent Lavallois altarpiece in stone, marble and gold, dating from 1657. Nearby, below Place Notre-Dame, stands the imposing 13th-century building of the Commanderie du Saint-Esprit. Over the centuries, this building has successively served as a general hospital, infantry barracks and fire station.
Interesting facts The Rue du Lait is part ofa walking trail that takes in some lovely half-timbered houses dating back to the Middle Ages.
4. The sanctuary of Saint-Anne d'Auray, Brittany's leading pilgrimage site
Another not-to-be-missed site in Auray is the sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray, just 8 kilometers from Auray. The number-one pilgrimage site in Brittany and number-three in France, its monuments and exceptional architecture will delight heritage enthusiasts. You can admire the basilica, the cloister, the religious art gallery and the Breton costume museum. Every year, over 800,000 visitors, mainly pilgrims, flock here, notably for the Grand Pardon de Sainte-Anne on July 26, ranked third among French pilgrimages after Lourdes and Lisieux. The basilica of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray, built between 1866 and 1877 in a neo-Renaissance style, is topped by a 75-metre tower featuring a bronze statue of Saint Anne holding a torch. Opposite the basilica, you can discover the miraculous fountain.
Read more: Where to go for a spiritual retreat in France? The 11 most beautiful places
5. What to do in Auray The Cadoudal Mausoleum
Before you arrive, as you take the bucolic Rue du Reclus, you'll spot a charming old chapel in one corner: the Chapelle Saint-Cado. It exudes a timeless charm. Here you'll find the Kerléano manor house belonging to the Cadoudal family, as well as farmhouses and a large meadow surrounded by trees. On a knoll, the Cadoudal mausoleum is an imposing rotunda, built in 1830 and completed in 1852 on the initiative of the Bretons du Morbihan to honor the memory of the Chouan general. His remains were transferred here from the Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis church in Paris. The rotunda subsequently became the family burial ground for his descendants.
6. Take an excursion to Île aux Moines
From Auray, you can visit the islands of the Golfe du Morbihan, of which there are some forty. Although most are privately owned, the larger ones, such as Île d'Arz and Île aux Moines, are open to the public. We especially recommend spending a day on Île aux Moines, one of the most beautiful spots in the Gulf of Morbihan. It can be reached in just 5 minutes by boat from Port-Blanc (Baden). Shops and restaurants are concentrated around the harbor and in the town center, offering two distinct atmospheres: the charm of the seaside and the authenticity of a true Breton village.
Good to know: The island is 6 km long and easy to explore on foot or by bike. Hiking enthusiasts can opt for a relatively easy 17 km loop around the island along the coastal path. To find out more, read our article What to do and see on Île aux Moines? Les 10 incontournables and our Top 10 of the most beautiful bike rides in Brittany.
7. Getting to Vannes
Vannes, a city of history and character, invites you on a journey through the centuries. Founded by the Romans as Darioritum, it has stood proudly for over 2000 years. From medieval fortifications to 17th-century mansions, not to mention the city's 19th-century urban dynamism, Vannes is a true marvel, endowed withan exceptional heritage and a unique Breton charm. Its old town, surrounded by ancient ramparts, is home to some 200 half-timbered houses, historic buildings and other charming sites. You can also take a stroll along the river. To find out more, click here: What to do and see in Vannes 11 must-sees.
8. What to do around Auray? See the menhirs of Carnac
Carnac is a must-see destination in Morbihan and its Gulf: its Breton Neolithic relics have stood majestically along the Bay of Quiberon since the 5th millennium BC. To find out more about these sites, start at the Maison des Mégalithes, where you'll find detailed information and digital tools on these remains. These Neolithic alignments, stretching for over 4 kilometers, offer a unique testimony to the life and beliefs of prehistoric man.The site is divided into four parts: Le Ménec, Kermario, Kerlescan and Petit Ménec.
And don't miss the magnificent sandy beaches of Carnac Plage, one of the most beautiful in Brittany. For a complete change of scenery, head to Anse du Pô, a small fishing port with numerous oyster beds, ideal for tasting oysters and seafood. To find out more, read our article What to do and see in Carnac? The 11 must-sees.
To book: Go here to book your audio tour of the Carnac menhirs. You'll discover the main Carnac stones Le Menec, Kermario and Kerlescan, as well as the Saint Michel tumulus.
9. La Trinité Sur Mer
Take the Kerisper bridge over the Crac'h river and discover La Trinité-sur-Mer on board the little tourist train , a pleasant way to see the area. This 50-minute tour takes in the famous Carnac alignments, the port of Carnac, its white sandy beach, the nature reserve and, finally, the port of La Trinité. The tour features commentary in 16 languages. The ticket office is located at the Cours des Quais bus stop in the port of La Trinité. The Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer has also been top-ranked by the French Sailing Federation for several years. It organizes special days dedicated to regattas and also offers a sailing school for young and old. You can also take a stroll along the Sentier des Douaniers, an 8 km walk that allows you to admire the changing landscapes with the tides.
Read more : GR 34 le Sentiers des Douaniers: itinerary and information and Top 11 of the most beautiful walks in Brittany.
Where to stay in Auray?
Auray offers a variety of accommodation options to suit all needs and budgets. Whether you're looking for a comfortable family break, a romantic getaway or a business trip, you're sure to find the perfect place to stay among our favorites:
- The quietest: Hotel Le Branhoc
Bookable hereat , Hôtel Le Branhoc is located close to the port of Saint-Goustan, in a peaceful, leafy setting. The hotel combines comfort with contemporary decor. All in all, a warm and welcoming hotel offering charm and tranquility with its adjoining wooded park. The Branhoc also offers PMR and family rooms.
- The safe bet: Ibis Auray
Located fifteen minutes from Vannes and twenty-five minutes from Lorient, this hotel, which you can book book here, offers warm, modern rooms. To get the day off to a good start, a hearty buffet breakfast is served from 6:30 to 10 a.m. (pastries baked on site, crêpes, tortillas...). Reception and fast food service are available 24 hours a day.
This charming hotel in the heart of silent nature offers soundproofed rooms with a view of the forest, which you can book here and which are accessible to people with reduced mobility. A 15-minute walk from the port of Saint-Goustan and a 15-minute drive from the beaches, it's the ideal place for a quiet, restorative stay.
