As the best season is coming up for 2023, I try to bring nicer memories back into my life. Now that time has passed and the two great women of my life are out, my mom Gladys and my wife Martine , as well as my dad Elio, this is the time where all comes back. I like to share these moment again with my readers. Thank you for reading me, and hope these posts brings joy to you and your families. Therefore, here is me again on Christmas at Auray, part III !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
And yes, we have a small Christmas market in Auray of my beautiful Morbihan, and my lovely region of Bretagne, We go early to avoid crowds because when we are leaving the hordes come in so maybe not the best description of a Christmas market locally. However, we have been to all of them over the years and were back for the Auray Christmas market ,December 2023, One of the main spots to be at is at the Chapelle Saint Esprit (see post) which was one of the most important chapel in the commanderies of the order of Saint Esprit, the members defended and protected the poor, orphans and the sick. It was first built here by the Duke Jean II (John) of Brittany, Today, it still holds cultural events and plays of many diverse nature. Such as Christmas exhibitions and market, This is by the Christmas market (see chapel back) ,and all wonderful spot,
The Marché de Noël or Christmas Market is set up in the Christmas Village for 11 days, I am now just 14 km or about 9 miles away from it and do come often here. During the Christmas of 2023, we decided to come early for parking etc. We knew the festivities started way later and we were walking around empty chalets just to be there freely no crowds, We kept the spirit of Christmas anyway !!
The city of Auray on the Christmas market, and festivities : https://www.auray.fr/Agenda/Noel-a-Auray/Noel-a-Auray4
I came to Auray not knowing where to be at just wandered around once parked . The places are mentioned in previous posts in my blog but they are stunning spots of great architecturally and historical value worth mentioning again. Hope you enjoy them in the spirit of Christmas as I
The port of Saint-Goustan (see posts) is a former fishing and trading port, located on the banks of the Auray river, which has become one of the districts of Auray The first castle of Auray whose presence is mentioned in 1096 protects a ford on the Auray river, and the port of Saint-Goustan, Its moat was auctioned after 1546, following the decision of King François I Its stones were given in 1558 by the king to the monks of the Sainte-Croix Abbey of Quimperlé, owner of the island of Belle-Île, to build the fort Palais in order to ensure its protection against the English pirates, the rest of the materials were auctioned in 1559.
The Place Saint-Sauveur square is typical and we love to walk it back and forth, sublime especially at nights, with its curved cobblestones is framed by opulent half-timbered and corbelled houses. The steep alleys, interspersed with steps, attack the district, lined with half-timbered facades. The residences of the 15C and 16C display a respectable allure, which in the evening slums in the rustle of the café terraces.
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.
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 road warrior trips but now sort of my backyard, This is historical and architecturally nice , Auray !!! Again , hope you enjoy this post on Christmas at Auray, part III as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 