AURAY, ON THE EDGE OF THE GULF OF MORBIHAN

In southern Brittany, at the entrance to the Gulf of Morbihan, is the Auray region. Visitors love it for its beautiful landscapes, rich heritage, wide range of leisure activities, lively festivities and welcoming people.

THE RIA D’ETEL AND THE POINTE DU LISTOIR

The Ria d’Etel is a sound stretching right into the countryside as far as Landévant and Landaul, forming a little sea.

In Landévant, the Listoir is the birthplace of the Etel River. This area with its wealth of marine species is also a great bird-watching site.

THE GULF OF MORBIHAN

The Gulf of Morbihan, (“little sea” in Breton) is one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

It is a miniature sea of 1,200 hectares, closed in by the Rhuys peninsula and dotted with 42 islands and islets, the most famous of which are the Île aux Moines, the Île d’Arz and the Île de Gavrinis.

The Gulf can be explored from a boat or on foot. Several companies offer boat trips from the various harbours. Tickets on sale in tourist offices.

 THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

 From the centre of the Auray region, the sea is never very far. The Atlantic Ocean is only about 10km away, with its beautiful rugged coastline and fine sandy beaches.

The seaside resorts of Carnac, La Trinité-sur-Mer, Quiberon are nearby, with a wealth of other treasures in addition to the beaches.

The exquisite islands off the coast – Belle-Île-en-Mer, Houat and Hoëdic – are just 45 minutes away. Great for a getaway!

THE NATIONAL FORESTS OF CAMORS AND FLORANGES

The national forests of Camors and Floranges cover 1372 hectares in the north of the Auray region.

These forests shelter a wide variety of fauna: deer, stag, wild boar, woodcock and other small mammals.

These mysterious forests conceal a number of strange stones, and trees that are said to be magical and are very possibly inhabited by the legendary Korrigans – the little people of which Breton folklore abounds.

Nowadays they are a marvellous place for many sporting and leisure activities.

TRÉAURAY VALLEY AND THE LOC’H RIVER

At the bottom of this valley flows the Loc’h River.

This 45km long freshwater river crosses the department to reach the Gulf of Morbihan.

At the Port de Saint-Goustan in Auray, it becomes a salt-water river that ebbs and flows with the tides.

THE SAL VALLEY AND RIVER

The Sal valley is home to the river of the same name, also known as the Le Bono River.

The Sal is a tributary of the Auray River.

The environment is typical of a coastal river, marked by the rhythm of the tides that cover and uncover the marshes and mud flats. This site is of considerable ecological interest.