A stroll around the port of Saint Goustan
A charming port steeped in history and a major pilgrimage site
Saint-Goustan, an invitation to stroll
It's best to avoid high heels when exploring Saint-Goustan. To begin with, the Loch ramps, built on the ruins of a fortified castle, lead down to the port. From the shaded terraces of the promenade, the view plunges down to the quays. The most picturesque bank is reached by crossing the 13th-century four-arched stone bridge. Place Saint-Sauveur, with its curved cobblestones, is framed by opulent, timber-framed and corbelled houses. Steep alleyways, criss-crossed by steps, lead up to the district, lined with half-timbered facades. The 15th and 16th century mansions display a respectable allure, which is enhanced in the evening by the rustle of café terraces.
Two cities in one
A city of art and history, Auray-Saint-Goustan boasts two ancient districts. The upper town, centered around the church of Saint-Gildas, and the lower town on the banks of the Loch. The port, with its strategic position, grew rich in the Middle Ages thanks to the rights of passage levied on boats. In the 16th and 17th centuries, wine and cereal traffic made it the third-largest port in Brittany. Memories still echo on the granite flagstones, recalling that the American Benjamin Franklin docked here in 1776 to meet Louis XVI.
In the footsteps of pilgrims
Nearby, the sanctuary town of Sainte-Anne d'Auray is Brittany's leading Catholic pilgrimage site. If the neo-Gothic basilica is the highlight of your visit, take a stroll through the cloister, stop off at the miraculous fountain, the memorial, near the monumental statue or at the Espace Jean-Paul II. Guided tours help you discover this remarkable heritage. With the whole family, try your hand at the great game "In search of the Keys of Time", available from the tourist office.
Today, the Place Saint Sauveur and Quai Franklin remain bustling with activity all year round.
From flea markets to street performances, the port is the scene of a rich life of festivities. Join us every Thursday for an aperitif! And when night falls, Saint-Goustan lights up and the terraces are packed. Stories of sailors and treasures are whispered... as some leave laden with mysterious luggage...
Would an art lover have been tempted by the original works created by artists on Rue du Château? Painters, gallery owners, sculptors and photographers grace the "rue qui monte" with their art, to the delight of strollers! From this right bank of the harbor, you can also reach the center of Auray by climbing the Loch ramps.
Listed as a historic monument, these foothills of what was once the Château d'Auray overlook the harbour, offering breathtaking views at every turn along the path.
From here, you can admire the four-arched stone bridge, the timber-framed houses and the narrow, flower-filled streets. What a panorama! To add a splash of color and good humor to the picture, don't miss the famous joutes nautiques! In a sporty, family-friendly atmosphere, costumed crews battle it out with spears, and children's laughter resounds when the jousters end up in the water! Sometimes, it's as if the spirit of Peter Pan is still lurking... and what if your next vacation in Morbihan was just the occasion to return to childhood...