Again, in my road warrior trips around my beautiful Morbihan, I had to visit one of my former admin homes that is now very close to my current home. I have many posts on Auray in my blog, and this one was just visiting again today, and new pictures that should be in my blog. Therefore, here is my take on the curiosities of Auray , part VII !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The Photo studio Ronan Le Guernevel, 21 Pl de la République is still there !! Now call the L’ Atelier de Ronan (same owner). My first photos taken locally back in 2011 was here as was recommended by our photo studio in Versailles who is a cousin !! small world indeed !!
The Place de la République, formerly called “grand placître”, sometimes “place du Martray”, has been the economic and political center of Auray since the Middle Ages, This is the City hall spot and several restos we patronize over the years as well as the covered market and bakeries and well everything until we moved to Pluvigner !
The rue du Belzic is an old street that goes from the place de la République to the Place Aux Roues , The street is completely full of shops, restos, bars and trafic controlled with days only pedestrian, A wonderful little street to walk and see fantastic stuff. at no,1 rue du Belzic corner with place de la République see a house facade and roof from the 16C.
The rue du Lait is located in the city center of the pretty town of Auray, a busy shopping street, leads to the Saint-Gildas Church This is an old favorite walking street in Auray and shopping in quant shops, we love it.
The Athéna Cultural Center is a performance hall with theatre, music, dance, circus, young audiences etc. The Méliscènes Festival, organized every year in March, is dedicated to puppetry and object theatre. Cultural mediation actions, the edges of the stage, are organized throughout the season. I have used the convenient above ground parking here walks all over town.
The rue du château was before proceeding with the sale of the ruins of the château, a rue Neuve created on September 6, 1560 on the northern moat. This road connects the main entrance of the castle (destroyed in 1558 by order of Henri II, and stones taken to the Belle Ïle sur Mer to build the Citadel) and the bridge of Saint-Goustan, In addition to a few half-timbered houses, the street is lined with beautiful residences using limestone, a noble material in vogue in the 17C and 18C, The houses built for the most part during the 17C. A half-timbered house bears the date 1608. Stone houses of 1640, 1643, and 1817 survived. Also, several artists shops are here and a very hilly street be prepare but worth the adventure !!!
I always felled in love with this tower living quarter in a vast park by Venelle du Foresto street in the upper town overlooking Saint Goustan It belongs to a private house,and I see each time very picturesque me think.
The Rue Philippe-Vannier, known in the history of Auray as rue du Pavé, has long been a privileged axis to connect Saint-Goustan. Today, having become calmer, it was by mistake that rue du Pavé took the name of Philippe Vannier in 1924. The city council at the time thought he was born in Auray !! Volunteered in the Royal Navy at 16, he left for Cochinchina (southern Vietnam) and spent 36 years there, alongside King Gia Long, founder of the imperial Nguyen dynasty which reigned until 1945 , It was Gia Long who appointed him captain, then first class mandarin in reward for his services which helped to establish his power. Louis XVIII awarded him the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1819. François Vannier returned to France in 1825 and died on June 6, 1842 in Lorient, at the age of 80. He is buried in the Carmel cemetery.
The Place Joffre is one of our favorite parking spots. There is still one grocery store there founded in 1949, its current owners, behind their counter for 35 years, witness the changes in Place Joffre, which has become peaceful A quant spot in Auray, and still the closest office for the social security administration or CPAM du Morbihan which we used for our personal needs as well as the nice grocery store for fruits and veggies !
At the Place Notre-Dame, nice small parking spot we like and the spot of the markets day and night time. It is right in front of the Church Saint Gildas and easy walking all over town, we have used the parking many times and shop in its markets.
And last but not least as the saying goes, the La Poste or post office of Auray main building is at 31 Avenue Président Wilson, The Wilson Avenue post office belonged to someone who was a city councillor. It was only in the 1930s that this building had the vocation that we know today, It is my alternative post office if in my town is closed for been a smaller town.
The city of Auray on its heritage: https://www.auray.fr/Ma-ville/Patrimoine/Les-monuments-historiques
The local Bay of Quiberon tourist office on Auray: https://www.baiedequiberon.co.uk/auray
There you go folks, a dandy spot often overlook in the off the beaten paths of my beautiful Morbihan and historical Auray. Again , hope you enjoy this post on the curiosities of Auray, part VII as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 