Auray City
City in France with coastal access
Saint-Goustan's cobbled harbor gives Auray its best scenes; visitors come for Saturday markets, oyster stalls, boat trips into the Gulf of Morbihan, and stone houses framed by tidal quays.
Auray at a Glance#
Costs: USD 85-140 per day - affordable compared with big French cities; seasonal prices rise in summer.
Safety: Safe and relaxed - safe, friendly Brittany town with low violent crime and typical tourist-area pickpocket risk.
Best Time: May-September - warm weather, sailing and coastal day trips are best in late spring and summer.
Why Visit Auray?#
Auray charms with its postcard-perfect port of Saint-Goustan, where fishing boats, stone quays and narrow lanes recall the town’s seafaring past. Breton flavors - crêpes and cider at waterfront cafés - anchor the culinary scene, and weekly markets and maritime festivals spotlight local produce and craft. Easygoing tides and a compact historic center make Auray an intimate gateway to Brittany’s coastal culture.
Best Things to Do in Auray#
Auray Bucket List#
Vieux Port of Saint-Goustan - Explore Saint-Goustan’s old port with cobbled quays, seafood restaurants, and boats.
Church of Saint-Gildas - Visit the Church of Saint-Gildas for Gothic architecture and local parish history.
Auray Market - Shop Auray’s market for Breton crepes, seafood, and local crafts on market days.
Saint-Goustan viewpoints - Find quieter viewpoints along Saint-Goustan’s ramparts for postcard-worthy river perspectives.
Local oyster stalls - Taste fresh oysters at small quay stalls favored by locals near the harbour.
Maison du Patrimoine - Discover Maison du Patrimoine for exhibitions about Auray’s maritime heritage and old maps.
Carnac megaliths - Drive to Carnac’s megalith alignments to study prehistoric stones and visitor center.
Quiberon Peninsula - Take the Quiberon coast for rugged cliffs, coastal walks, and seaside villages.
Best Time to Visit Auray#
Auray is nicest from late spring through summer when the Atlantic influence gives mild, pleasant days ideal for markets, beaches and coastal walks. Winters are mild, wetter and much quieter.
December - February
5°C - 10°C (41°F - 50°F)
Mild, wet winters: quiet port, lower ferry availability and brisk sea winds. Good for budget travel and sampling local crepes indoors.
March - May
8°C - 16°C (46°F - 61°F)
Crisp, blossoming spring offers pleasant walks, fewer crowds, and fresh seafood; prepare for sudden showers off the Atlantic at times.
June - August
15°C - 23°C (59°F - 73°F)
Warmest months bring beach trips, lively markets and sunny but breezy days - busiest time for tourists and outdoor dining too.
Auray's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (900 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 9° | 4° | 103 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 83 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 7° - 14° | 10° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.9h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Excellent | 14° - 22° | 18° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 13° - 20° | 16° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 111 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 104 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
How to Get to Auray#
Auray is well connected by regional rail (Gare d’Auray) and is easiest reached from Lorient or Rennes by train. Seasonal services increase in summer, and buses cover the local peninsulas and smaller coastal villages.
Lorient Bretagne Sud (LRT): Lorient airport is the closest regional airport; it handles limited domestic and seasonal flights. From LRT take a taxi to Lorient station (c. €20-€35, 15-25 minutes), then a TER Bretagne train to Auray (about 25-35 minutes, €4-€8).
Rennes-Saint-Jacques (RNS) / Nantes (NTE): Rennes and Nantes are the larger international-connected airports for Brittany. From Rennes or Nantes take SNCF trains to Auray (journeys typically 1.5-3 hours with a change; fares commonly €15-€40 depending on advance booking).
Train: Auray has a station (Gare d’Auray) served by SNCF TER Bretagne and some TGV/Intercités services seasonally; regular TER trains connect Auray with Lorient, Vannes and-via transfers-Rennes and Nantes. Local journeys are short (10-40 minutes) and affordable (€3-€15).
Bus: Regional buses in Brittany (BreizhGo) and local lines connect Auray with surrounding villages, the Quiberon peninsula (seasonal shuttle trains/buses) and coastal sites. Single fares vary but short regional rides are often under €5-€8.
How to Get Around Auray#
Auray is best reached and explored by regional TER trains for inter-town travel, with buses and rental cars filling in for peninsulas and smaller villages. On foot is ideal within the town itself.
- TER (SNCF) (€3-€15) - TER Bretagne regional trains are the reliable way to travel between Auray, Lorient, Vannes and other Breton towns. Services are frequent for short hops; buy tickets at the station or via the SNCF app. During summer the Quiberon branch may use shuttle trains or buses.
- TGV / Intercités (€25-€60+) - Some longer-distance services (TGV/Intercités) serve the region seasonally or via a change in Vannes; these are useful for direct travel to Paris or larger cities. Advance-booked TGV fares can be significantly cheaper than day-of travel.
- Bus (BreizhGo/local) (€2-€10) - Regional BreizhGo coaches and local buses link Auray with rural communes and coastal destinations. Buses are essential for places not on the rail line and often run to timetable frequency lower outside peak season.
- Taxi (€20-€50) - Taxis are handy for early/late flights or luggage-heavy transfers - expect higher fares than public transport for airport transfers. Taxi availability can be limited at night so pre-book when possible.
- Car hire (€35-€90/day) - Hiring a car is useful for exploring Brittany’s smaller peninsulas and beaches at your own pace; rural roads are straightforward and scenic. Parking in Auray’s centre is generally available though spaces fill in summer.
- Walking - Auray’s compact old town and the port area are very walkable; walking is the best way to explore the town and nearby waterfront.
Where to Stay in Auray#
Port (Saint-Goustan) - €45-75/night
Auray offers a few budget hotels and several affordable chambres d’hôtes near the port. Choices are modest but pleasant during low season.
Saint-Goustan / Town Centre - €75-140/night
Comfortable boutique hotels and well-rated B&Bs sit around Saint-Goustan and the town centre, ideal for exploring the Gulf of Morbihan.
Coastal outskirts / nearby resorts - €140+/night
Limited true luxury within Auray; for high-end resorts consider nearby coastal towns. Auray prioritizes charm over large upscale hotels.
Where to Eat in Auray#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Auray’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Auray#
Shopping in Auray clusters around the old town and the Port of Saint‑Goustan, where you’ll find artisan shops, cafés and small boutiques. Local markets sell Breton food specialities, seafood and crafts-particularly lively during market days and the summer season. For supermarkets or larger chain stores head to the outskirts or nearby towns, but the centre is best for unique local finds.
Nightlife in Auray#
Auray’s evenings are relaxed, with most activity around the port where restaurants and bars stay open late in summer. Live music and seasonal events appear regularly, but there are few large clubs. Expect a pleasant, low-key night out focused on dining and drinks rather than a busy nightclub scene.
