Benjamin Franklin disembarked at the port in 1776, an event commemorated by a plaque at the harbor.
The port's name honors Saint Goustan, the patron saint of sailors.
The site maintains a traditional maritime appearance, often used as a backdrop for period film sets.
The harbor basin was once accessible to large cargo ships before the river silted up over centuries.
The original stone bridge spanning the river at this location has roots dating to the 13th century.
Port Saint-Goustan is a historic medieval harbor located on the banks of the Loch River in Auray, Brittany. Once a major commercial port in the 17th century, it served as a key trade hub for wine, grain, and salt. The site is characterized by its preserved timber-framed houses and granite quays. Benjamin Franklin famously landed here in 1776 while seeking support for the American Revolution. The harbor is no longer a major shipping port and now functions as a recreational marina for pleasure craft. The quayside is lined with galleries, artisan workshops, and restaurants housed in buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. A stone bridge, the Pont Saint-Goustan, connects the port to the upper town of Auray.
From the middle of the Pont Saint-Goustan looking back toward the row of timber-framed houses along the quayside.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the steep, cobbled streets leading from the upper town down to the harbor.
Visit during the Friday morning market in the town of Auray to combine local shopping with your harbor walk.
Explore the narrow 'rue du Petit-Port' for the best preserved examples of medieval architecture.
Do not attempt to drive your car down to the quay as parking is extremely restricted and streets are very narrow.
The area is a public space accessible year-round, though most galleries and restaurants operate on seasonal schedules with reduced hours in winter.
