Port Saint-Goustan in Auray – Medieval stroll in the Breton Ria
Nestled in the heart of a ria in the Gulf of Morbihan, the port of Saint-Goustan is a tourist gem in Morbihan. This picturesque district of Auray immediately transports visitors back to the Middle Ages with its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and port steeped in history. Between spiritual pilgrimage and architectural exploration, Saint-Goustan offers an authentic experience of historic Brittany, combining preserved heritage and a timeless medieval atmosphere.
📌 About This Destination
Camping Les Druides recommends visiting the port of Saint-Goustan via its blog and recommendation articles.
Important: The port of Saint-Goustan is a freely accessible destination managed by the town of Auray andthe Quiberon Bay Tourist Office. Les Druides campsite:
does not manage this tourist destination
does not offer tour organization
only facilitates your access to this tourist resource
We highly recommend this exceptional destination to enrich your stay.
For practical information (guided tours, events, restaurants), please contact the Quiberon Bay Tourist Office.
🏰 The Medieval History of Saint-Goustan
The Dukes of Brittany and the Creation of the Port
In the 13th century, the Dukes of Brittany recognized the exceptional strategic position of the site and decided to build a bridge, a port, and a fortified castle there. Two neighborhoods developed around the fortress:
The Upper Town: Centered around Saint-Gildas Church, seat of ducal power
The Lower Town: Around the port of Saint-Goustan, the maritime economic heart
The Château d'Auray was first mentioned in 1096. Duke Arthur I built an imposing fortress in 1201.
Commercial Heyday – 16th-17th Centuries
Between the 16th and 17th centuries, Saint-Goustan became the third largest port in Brittany. Ships loaded and unloaded there:
✅ Wine: Imported from Spain and Mediterranean France
✅ Cereals: Essential foodstuffs
✅ Cider: Exported Breton specialty
✅ Wood: Shipbuilding and carpentry
✅ Fabrics: Renowned Breton textiles
The port thrives thanks to its strategic location and its ability to collect tolls from passing ships.
Benjamin Franklin – American Historical Moment
On December 4, 1776, the illustrious Benjamin Franklin arrived in Saint-Goustan! Having come to France to seek King Louis XVI's support for the Declaration of Independence of the 13 American colonies, Franklin was forced by a storm to land at Auray instead of Nantes.
A man of letters, engineer, physicist, and inventor of the lightning rod, Benjamin Franklin was also an influential diplomat sent as ambassador by the U.S. Congress.
He will be celebrated in Nantes on December 7, arrive in Paris on December 21, and secure significant loans for the United States as well asFrance's entry into the war in 1778.
In Auray, a commemorative plaque commemorates this landing, and the main quay bears his name (Quai Franklin).
Decline and Tourism Renaissance
At the beginning of the 20th century, the port of Saint-Goustan declined with the emergence of roads and railways. The docks were used to store wooden poles destined for the coal mines of Wales.
Today, Saint-Goustan has become a major tourist destination, preserving its medieval authenticity while welcoming restaurants, cafes, and art galleries.
🏛️ Medieval Architecture
The Stone Bridge – Symbol of Saint-Goustan
The Saint-Goustan Bridge is the architectural heart of the destination, an iconic structure featuring:
Features:
4 massive stone arches dating from the 16th century (built around 1464)
First mention of the bridge in 1295 (pre-existing old stone bridge)
Paved in 1623–1624 with regular restoration work since then
Historic monument listed in the inventory
Mandatory passage connecting the upper town to the picturesque riverbank
35 meters long, 10.65 meters wide
The bridge majestically spans the Loc'h (the river at Auray, which has become tidal).
The Loch Ramps
The Rampes du Loch were built in 1821 on the ruins of the Château d'Auray. These picturesque stairs offer:
✅ Spectacular panoramic view of the port and river
✅ Easy access from the upper town to the port
✅ Starting point for exploring the castle ruins
✅ Popular walking spot for visitors
The ramps allow visitors to view the remains of the fortified castle, notably the round Talus tower and the three buttresses that supported the main building.
Half-timbered houses – 15th-16th centuries
Place Saint-Sauveur is lined with opulent half-timbered houses with corbelled windows. These exceptional residences bear witness to the commercial wealth of the port at its peak.
Architectural features:
Half-timbered facades (exposed wooden beams)
Corbeling (overhanging floors)
Curved paving stones on the square
Steep alleys with narrow passages and stairs
Various colors (granite stones, white facades)
🗺️ Visit & Exploration
Recommended Route
From the Upper Town (30-45 min):
Place de la République: Discover the medieval atmosphere
Rue du Château: Spectacular descent lined with artists' galleries (painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers)
Loch Ramps: Panoramic view of the castle and the port
Saint-Goustan Bridge: Cross this majestic architectural symbol
Place Saint-Sauveur: Restaurant terraces with a friendly atmosphere
Quai Franklin: Markets, flea markets, walks along the waterfront
Saint-Sauveur & Saint-René alleys: Picturesque staircases and artisan shops
Saint-Gildas Church: Renaissance-Baroque style, historic monuments
Hiking: Loch Loop
A magnificent 11-kilometer loop starting from Saint-Goustan:
Direction: Le Bono (former pirate port), ship graveyard
Points of interest: Sainte-Avoye Chapel, castles and manor houses in the ria
Duration: 3-4 hours depending on pace
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
From the port, you can also travel up the Loc'h River by cruise ship, kayak, or electric boat.
Water Sports
Departing from Quai Franklin:
✅ Gulf of Morbihan cruise: From Saint-Goustan port
✅ Old sailing ship (L'Indomptable): Help with the ship's maneuvers
✅ Petit Train du Loc'h: 30-minute tour through the narrow streets (April-October)
✅ Kayaking & Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Clubs available nearby
✅ Electric boat: Rental without a license required
🎨 Auray – City of Art and History
Artist Galleries
Rue du Château is lined with galleries, workshops, and artisan shops:
Painters: Galleries exhibiting seascapes, portraits, abstracts
Sculptors: Works in stone, wood, and metal
Photographers: Collections of Breton heritage
Jewellers: Breton creations and jewelry
Ceramists: Handcrafted pottery
Summer guided tour: The Tourist Office offers guided tours during the season.
Historical Heritage
Auray is classified as a "City of Art and History" with:
✅ Saint-Gildas Church: Renaissance-Baroque style, Historic Monuments
✅ Town Hall: Monumental belfry
✅ Chapel of the Holy Spirit: Oldest building in Auray
✅ Chartreuse: Unique Carthusian architecture in the West
✅ Castle Ruins: Preserved medieval remains
📋 Practical Information
Access & Parking
Parking: Free nearby (Château Street, public parking spaces)
Pedestrian access: Easy from the central parking lot
High heels: Avoid (cobblestone streets, narrow stairs)
Best Tour
✅ Morning: Fewer tourists, optimal light for photos
✅ Afternoon: Maximum activity, terraces open
✅ Late afternoon: Romantic atmosphere, fewer people
✅ Evening: Illuminated port, restaurants open
Restaurants & Cafés
Place Saint-Sauveur and Quai Franklin are full of restaurants, cafes, and terraces offering picturesque views of the harbor.
🏕️ From Les Druides Campground
Ideal Proximity
Camping Les Druides offers a strategic location for visiting Saint-Goustan:
✅ 30-35 km by car (35-40 minutes)
✅ Heated pool: Relax after your visit to the medieval port
✅ Comfortable mobile homes and spacious pitches
✅ Campsite bar: Open from 6 p.m. for residents
✅ Campsite team: Advice and comprehensive documentation
Perfect day trip: Morning visit to Saint-Goustan → Lunch at a restaurant in the port → Afternoon relaxing by the campsite pool! ☀️
✨ In Summary
The port of Saint-Goustan is a must-see destination for those wishing to immerse themselves in medieval Brittany. With its picturesque houses, iconic bridge, cobbled streets, and rich history, Saint-Goustan offers an authentic experience unlike any other in Brittany.
The 15th-century four-arch stone bridge is a majestic architectural symbol. The ramparts of the Loch offer a panoramic view of the castle ruins. Place Saint-Sauveur, with its half-timbered houses, bears witness to the commercial wealth of the port's heyday. The story of Benjamin Franklin and his landing on December 4, 1776, recalls a major diplomatic moment. The artists' galleries on Rue Château, cruises on the Gulf of Morbihan, kayaking, the Loch loop hike, and the heritage of this City of Art and History complete the experience.
Discover this tourist gem that has inspired artists, writers, and diplomats throughout the centuries.
📞 Practical Information & Contacts
The port of Saint-Goustan is a freely accessible destination managed by the town of Auray.
For practical information (guided tours, events, restaurants), please contact the Quiberon Bay Tourist Office.
Quiberon Bay Tourist Office
Address: 14 rue de Verdun, 56510 Saint-Pierre-Quiberon
Telephone: +33 (0)2 97 50 07 84
Website: www.baiedequiberon.bzh
Services: Guided tours in summer, port events, restaurant/café information, water sports, historical heritage
Information about Port Saint-Goustan:
Free admission destination
Recommended route: upper town → bridge → Saint-Sauveur Square → Franklin Quay
Art galleries on Rue Château (painters, sculptors, photographers)
Cruises in the Gulf of Morbihan, old sailing ships, kayaks, electric boats
Loch loop hike (11 km) to Le Bono and Sainte-Avoye chapel
Heritage site of Art and History: Saint-Gildas Church, belfry, Carthusian monastery
History & Architecture:
Four-arch stone bridge (15th century, built in 1464, first bridge in 1295)
Ramparts of Loch built in 1821 on the ruins of the castle (panoramic view)
Half-timbered houses on Place Saint-Sauveur (15th-16th centuries)
Benjamin Franklin landing December 4, 1776 (Franklin Pier, commemorative plaque)
Commercial heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries (third largest port in Brittany)
Town of Auray
Website: www.ville-auray.fr
Services: Port Saint-Goustan property management, cultural events, practical information
Les Druides Campground
Address: 55 Chemin de Beaumer, 56340 Carnac
Telephone: +33 (0)2 97 52 08 18
Website: www.camping-les-druides.com
Distance: 30-35 km from Saint-Goustan (35-40 min by car)
Services: Saint-Goustan information desk, heated swimming pool, campsite bar (6 p.m.), free parking