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Nestled on a curve of the River Auray,\u00a0the town of Auray unfolds much like any other archetypal French village. It’s got the usual pretty church,\u00a0this one perched in the upper part of the town, storied cobbled streets, eventually opening, via a stroll across a 13th-century arched stone bridge to a delightful historic quay:\u00a0the port of Saint-Goustan.\u00a0The quay still has its medieval looks thanks to its half-timbered architecture, and there are attractive old fishermen’s houses nearby, many of which can be let for extended stays. But just outside of town, there’s Sainte-Anne d’Auray too, one of France’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites.<\/p>\n
While much of Auray’s appeal lies in its pretty quayside, the town has a charming warren of small streets paved with cobbles and slightly tipsy-looking houses draped with shrubs. There’s a small collection of boutiques and galleries\u00a0here, too, and a good collection of terraced restaurants.\u00a0Throughout the year, there are\u00a0produce markets\u00a0that take over the small streets and squares, and in the summer months, there’s a program of free music events,\u00a0encompassing everything from rock and blues to world music.<\/p>\n
If you want to go beyond Auray’s postcard-pretty Brittany streets, then start with walks into the countryside or along the riverbank. Just outside the town, woodland trails and quiet country lanes lead through the Pays d’Auray, offering an effortless escape into nature. For cyclists, there are various local routes, including short circuits around the town,\u00a0or ascents into the Tr\u00e9auray Valley.<\/p>\n
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