I used to lived not far from here when moved into the Morbihan breton dept 56 . However, the town has charm and we always come here and shop here too. I felled in love with Saint Goustan , a harbor district of Auray. I have several posts on the town ,worth the detour me think, I just notice need to do more justice to the town and a historical figure since my early school days, Benjamin Franklin, I found me new pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, here is my take on this is Saint Goustan and Benjamin Franklin !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I
You must come to the old harbor of Saint-Goustan, and do wear walking shoes to go over the cobblestone streets !. From the shaded terraces of the promenade, the view plunges over the quays. The most picturesque shore is joined by crossing the 13C four-arched stone bridge. At Place Saint-Sauveur with its curved cobblestones is framed by opulent half-timbered and corbelled houses. The steep alleys, interspersed with steps, lined with half-timbered facades. The residences of the 15-16C display a respectable allure, which in the evening slums in the rustle of the café terraces. Sublime indeed !!!
The town of Auray and more precisely the Saint Goustan harbor or lower town is the historical center where Benjamin Franklin landed to asked help from king Louis XVI for the American independance war with England, and he got it. Marquis de Lafayette but also Marquis de la Roulie of Fougéres, and General Rochembau and Admiral Grace and his 29 French Caribbean flotilla to block Yorktown. And so on….Gen Pershing later said, Lafayette , we are here in WWI. And so on…
Now see the wonderful Quai Franklin ,and the many restos as well as the Relais Franklin 8, quai Benjamin Franklin where he stayed one night before continuing to Versailles to see Louis XVI. The lodging is closed and is now a restaurant Le Yac’h Bistro Breton, However,you can see the commemorative plaque on the wall,see left of bldg below pic.
The Créperie Bar Franklin is name as was one hangout in those days and now a créperie and even better bar. Many visitors order huge coffee, and of course beers and galettes, A nice staff will receive you at this location throughout the year with great service that is appreciated each time. You will appreciate a beautiful facade and an exotic ambiance at this restaurant. The RestaurantGuru reviews on the creperie bar Franklin : https://fr.restaurantguru.com/Le-Relais-Franklin-Auray
The Quai Benjamin Franklin wharf measures 220 meters. Memories still echo on the granite slabs, recalling that the American Benjamin Franklin docked here on December 4 ,1776 to meet Louis XVI later in Versailles to asked the kingdom of France for help for US independance and got it ,and so a new nation was born. The name of this wharf is a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, famous diplomat, physicist and engineer. Headwinds prevented his ship from ascending to Nantes as originally planned.
Benjamin Franklin was the unofficial ambassador of the United States to Europe. He crossed the Atlantic on the ship Le Reprisal to reach Nantes. He sighted the French coast on December 3, 1776. However, he did not arrive in Nantes but in Quiberon Bay. The following day, December 4, he landed in Auray at the port of Saint-Goustan. Franklin’s stay in France, which lasted until July 1785, left a lasting impression on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Following the visit of the United States Minister Plenipotentiary to Paris, a “Franklin myth” emerged in the 1780s. His death in 1790 led to celebrations honoring the champion of liberty and the scientist who mastered nature. France, the first country to recognize the United States in the 18C, is considered its oldest ally.
Benjamin Franklin was from Boston. He was born in 1706. Trained in printing, he moved to Philadelphia in 1723 where he became a printer and later, publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette. His business ventures brought him financial security, allowing him to dedicate himself to philanthropy and science. He is notably credited with the invention of the lightning rod in 1744, which earned him international recognition. In 1775, the Revolutionary War began, pitting the American colonies against the British Empire. He became increasingly involved in the independence movement.
He is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an important cemetery in American history, located within Independence National Historical Park. It contains the tomb of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. The church founded in 1695, served as a place of worship for many participants in the American Revolutionary War, including George Washington. The cemetery, established in 1719, is located near the church, and is still in use. It is the burial place of five signatories of the United States Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes, George Ross and, most notably, Benjamin Franklin.
The City of Auray on its heritage : https://www.auray.fr/ma-ville/patrimoine/les-monuments-historiques
The city of Auray on its heritage, walking tours printable in pdf file: https://www.auray.fr/culture-loisirs/archives-et-patrimoine/redecouvrez-le-patrimoine-dauray
The local Bay of Quiberon tourist office on the port Saint Goustan: https://www.baiedequiberon.co.uk/the-port-of-saint-goustan-in-auray
The Morbihan dept 56 tourist office on the port Saint Goustan: https://morbihan.com/decouvrir/le-morbihan-et-ses-perles-bretonnes/destination-carnac-et-baie-de-quiberon/auray-saint-goustan/
The Bretagne region tourist board on the port Saint Goustan: https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/southern-brittany-morbihan-gulf/auray-port-of-saint-goustan/
There you go folks, Saint Goustan is a lovely small district nestled below port of the City of Auray as well as very close to my home. A quant historical spot to visit anytime, worth the detour me think, Again,hope you enjoy this post on this is Saint Goustan and Benjamin Franklin !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 