Auray
Encyclopedia
Auray is a commune
located in the Morbihan
department of Brittany in France. Inhabitants of Auray are called Alréens.
to the south and west, Brech
to the north and Pluneret
to the east. It is crossed by the Loch, a small coastal river which flows into the Gulf of Morbihan
. The town is high on the west bank of the river Auray on the edge of the Armorican plateau which is cut deeply by the river. The port of Saint-Goustan
is also in the valley, east of the River.
and Quimper. Downstream, the River Auray is wide and steep. Upstream, the marshes of the Loch valley makes passage difficult to Tréauray which is 4 km to the north. The Roman road
from Lyon
to Gésocribate (Le Conquet
) via Nantes
, passes the commune.
In the mid-19th century, the construction of a new road on an embankment on the marshes of Loch allowed direct access to the town from Vannes. In 1950, the Vannes-Lorient route nationale bypassed the centre of Auray to the north. In 1989, the four-carriageway Kerplouz viaduct was built on the RN165 over the Auray river downstream from St. Goustan. This rid the town of transit traffic, and created an industrial area south of the city centre.
- Landerneau
line and marks the end of the Auray - Quiberon
line. The station was inauguerated at the opening of the Rennes
- Redon and the Savenay - Landerneau lines on 26 September 1862.
On 18 December, 1864, a rail link to Pontivy
was opened. The building of the Pontivy - Saint-Brieuc
section in 1872 completed a route that crosses Brittany from the south to the north. The Pontivy - Auray section was closed to passenger traffic on 2 October 1949 but is still used for transporting goods.
On 24 July 1882, the Auray-Quiberon line was opened. This line, known as the Tire-bouchon is currently only operated in the summer.
Auray train station is located more than 2 km north of the town centre because of the problem of building a viaduct crossing the Loch valley. A new area was developed in the late 19th century along the road from Brech which has a junction with the Lorient road at the northern exit of the town next to the station. In particular, the Saint-Goustan port trading companies created premises there. The establishment of a train depot and a maintenance workshop for locomotives in the early 20th century attracted a greater workforce.
Today, the station is served by the Paris - Rennes - Quimper TGV
and Brittany TER
. In the summer, the station experiences a significant increase in activity; it is one of the boarding points for the car-train service and the Auray - Quiberon line has been reopened to passenger traffic. The freight business is very small as it is everywhere in Morbihan.
The Battle of Auray
on 29 September 1364 was the last battle of the Breton War of Succession
. Kerblois, the place in Brech at which the defeated Charles de Blois was killed is marked by a crucifix.
In 1632, sailors departed from the port of Saint-Goustan to re-capture the town of Port Royal
in Acadia
on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu.
Benjamin Franklin arrived at the port of Saint-Goustan on 3 December 1776 at the beginning of the US War of Independence
to seek military aid from Louis XVI.
In 1795, after the failure of the Quiberon Expedition, part of the royalist Chouannerie
rebellion, and the surrender of the Armée des émigrés ordered by Sombreuil
on 21 July, most prisoners were transferred to Auray. After a summary trial by a military commission made up of citizens of the town, 750 people were shot and buried in a meadow in Brech on the western shore of the Loch, now called the Champ des martyrs . In 1829, their bones were exhumed and deposited in the vault of a memorial chapel at the Auray monastery.
The railway station was strategically important during the Second World War. Concrete used to build bunkers on the region's beaches travelled through the station. After the war, the collection of military scrap material led to the creation of business in Pi-park.
Auray's historic coat of arms: A shield of or
and azure
lozenges
.
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Auray's modern coat of arms: A field of gules
, a stoat running with a floating scarf of ermine
. A charge
of azure with three fleur-de-lis
of or.
, France, Utting
, Germany and Castlebar
, Ireland.
, Olivier Rochus
, Justine Henin-Hardenne
, Kim Clijsters
, Rafael Nadal
, Paul-Henri Mathieu
, Richard Gasquet
, Dinara Safina
and Alizé Cornet
.
Auray received the start of the second stage of the Tour de France
6 July 2008.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
located in the Morbihan
Morbihan
Morbihan is a department in Brittany, situated in the northwest of France. It is named after the Morbihan , the enclosed sea that is the principal feature of the coastline.-History:...
department of Brittany in France. Inhabitants of Auray are called Alréens.
Geography
The city is surrounded by the communes of Crac'hCrac'h
Crac'h is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-External links:* * * -References:* *...
to the south and west, Brech
Brech
Brech is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-Breton language:In 2008, there was 19.56% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.-External links:* * * -References:...
to the north and Pluneret
Pluneret
Pluneret is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-Breton language:The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on July the 13th of 2006....
to the east. It is crossed by the Loch, a small coastal river which flows into the Gulf of Morbihan
Gulf of Morbihan
The Gulf of Morbihan is a natural harbour on the coast of the Département of Morbihan in the south of Brittany, France. This English name is taken from the French version: le golfe du Morbihan...
. The town is high on the west bank of the river Auray on the edge of the Armorican plateau which is cut deeply by the river. The port of Saint-Goustan
Saint-Goustan
The French port of Saint-Goustan is a former fishing port and trading centre situated beside the river Auray In modern times it has become one of the quarters of the commune of Auray in the department of Morbihan in Brittany.-History:...
is also in the valley, east of the River.
The port
The port of Saint-Goustan is the site of the original town. It is located on the River Auray at the highest tidal reach of the river that ships can access. It was open to ships until the nineteenth century and was also a trading port which was particularly active in its routes with Spain and Britain. The decline of trade in the port began with the arrival of the railway in 1862 and today it is a marina and port of call on tours of the Gulf of Morbihan.Roads
Saint-Goustan, located in the lower town, is the first point at which the river can be bridged on the coastal road between VannesVannes
Vannes is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It was founded over 2000 years ago.-Geography:Vannes is located on the Gulf of Morbihan at the mouth of two rivers, the Marle and the Vincin. It is around 100 km northwest of Nantes and 450 km south west...
and Quimper. Downstream, the River Auray is wide and steep. Upstream, the marshes of the Loch valley makes passage difficult to Tréauray which is 4 km to the north. The Roman road
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
from Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
to Gésocribate (Le Conquet
Le Conquet
Le Conquet is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.-Geography:Le Conquet is a fishing port in the northwest of Brittany...
) via Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
, passes the commune.
In the mid-19th century, the construction of a new road on an embankment on the marshes of Loch allowed direct access to the town from Vannes. In 1950, the Vannes-Lorient route nationale bypassed the centre of Auray to the north. In 1989, the four-carriageway Kerplouz viaduct was built on the RN165 over the Auray river downstream from St. Goustan. This rid the town of transit traffic, and created an industrial area south of the city centre.
Railways
Auray railway station is located on the SavenaySavenay
Savenay is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France and the Pays de la Loire region. Located on the Sillon de Bretagne , north of the Loire, its landscape is characterized by the hillside overlooking the marshes of the Loire...
- Landerneau
Landerneau
Landerneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies at the mouth of the Elorn River which divides the Breton provinces of Cornouaille and Léon, east of Brest...
line and marks the end of the Auray - Quiberon
Quiberon
Quiberon is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.It is situated on the southern part of the Quiberon peninsula, the northern part being the commune of Saint-Pierre-Quiberon...
line. The station was inauguerated at the opening of the Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
- Redon and the Savenay - Landerneau lines on 26 September 1862.
On 18 December, 1864, a rail link to Pontivy
Pontivy
Pontivy is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It lies at the confluence of the river Blavet and the Canal de Nantes à Brest.-History:...
was opened. The building of the Pontivy - Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-History:Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk Brioc, who evangelized the region in the 6th century and established an oratory there...
section in 1872 completed a route that crosses Brittany from the south to the north. The Pontivy - Auray section was closed to passenger traffic on 2 October 1949 but is still used for transporting goods.
On 24 July 1882, the Auray-Quiberon line was opened. This line, known as the Tire-bouchon is currently only operated in the summer.
Today, the station is served by the Paris - Rennes - Quimper TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
and Brittany TER
Ter
Ter is a prefix or suffix designating the third instance of a thing, thus following bis and preceding quater.Ter can also refer to:* River Ter, in Essex;* Ter , the debut album of American rock band Sweet Water...
. In the summer, the station experiences a significant increase in activity; it is one of the boarding points for the car-train service and the Auray - Quiberon line has been reopened to passenger traffic. The freight business is very small as it is everywhere in Morbihan.
History
Battle of Auray
The Battle of Auray took place on 29 September 1364 at the French town of Auray. This battle was the decisive confrontation of the Breton War of Succession, a part of the Hundred Years' War....
on 29 September 1364 was the last battle of the Breton War of Succession
Breton War of Succession
The Breton War of Succession was a conflict between the Houses of Blois and Montfort for control of the Duchy of Brittany. It was fought between 1341 and 1364. It formed an integral part of the early Hundred Years War due to the involvement of the French and English governments in the conflict; the...
. Kerblois, the place in Brech at which the defeated Charles de Blois was killed is marked by a crucifix.
In 1632, sailors departed from the port of Saint-Goustan to re-capture the town of Port Royal
Port Royal
Port Royal was a city located at the end of the Palisadoes at the mouth of the Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1518, it was the centre of shipping commerce in the Caribbean Sea during the latter half of the 17th century...
in Acadia
Acadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu.
Benjamin Franklin arrived at the port of Saint-Goustan on 3 December 1776 at the beginning of the US War of Independence
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
to seek military aid from Louis XVI.
In 1795, after the failure of the Quiberon Expedition, part of the royalist Chouannerie
Chouannerie
The Chouannerie was a royalist uprising in twelve of the western departements of France, particularly in the provinces of Brittany and Maine, against the French Revolution, the First French Republic, and even, with its headquarters in London rather than France, for a time, under the Empire...
rebellion, and the surrender of the Armée des émigrés ordered by Sombreuil
Charles François de Virot de Sombreuil
Charles François de Virot marquis de Sombreuil was a French Royalist general of the Ancien Regime and French Revolutionary Wars...
on 21 July, most prisoners were transferred to Auray. After a summary trial by a military commission made up of citizens of the town, 750 people were shot and buried in a meadow in Brech on the western shore of the Loch, now called the Champ des martyrs . In 1829, their bones were exhumed and deposited in the vault of a memorial chapel at the Auray monastery.
The railway station was strategically important during the Second World War. Concrete used to build bunkers on the region's beaches travelled through the station. After the war, the collection of military scrap material led to the creation of business in Pi-park.
Heraldry
Or (heraldry)
In heraldry, Or is the tincture of gold and, together with argent , belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals". In engravings and line drawings, it may be represented using a field of evenly spaced dots...
and azure
Azure
In heraldry, azure is the tincture with the colour blue, and belongs to the class of tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of horizontal lines or else marked with either az. or b. as an abbreviation....
lozenges
Lozenge (heraldry)
The lozenge in heraldry is a diamond-shaped charge , usually somewhat narrower than it is tall. It is to be distinguished in modern heraldry from the fusil, which is like the lozenge but narrower, though the distinction has not always been as fine and is not always observed even today...
.
Gules
In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. as an abbreviation....
, a stoat running with a floating scarf of ermine
Ermine (heraldry)
Ermine is a heraldic fur representing the winter coat of the stoat . Many skins would be sewn together to make a luxurious garment, producing a pattern of small black spots on a white field...
. A charge
Charge (heraldry)
In heraldry, a charge is any emblem or device occupying the field of an escutcheon . This may be a geometric design or a symbolic representation of a person, animal, plant, object or other device...
of azure with three fleur-de-lis
Fleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily or iris that is used as a decorative design or symbol. It may be "at one and the same time, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic", especially in heraldry...
of or.
Demographics
Language
Historically, the people of Auray have spoken the Vannes dialect of Breton but the citizens spoke French from the eighteenth century onwards. Breton was used for preaching in Auray parishes until the 1930s. In September 2008, 3.27% of children enrolled in primary schools in the town were bilingual.Sites and monuments
- The port of Saint-Goustan.
- The church of St Gildas. Built in 1636 and classified as a historic monument, it contains an altar-piece from Laval and a 19th-century organ.
- The Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Built in the thirteenth century, it is the last remnant of the headquarters of the Montpellier Ordre du Saint-Esprit. In the fourteenth century, this Maison Magistrale Conventuelle et Hospitalière du Saint-Esprit à Auray, referred to in 1289 by Jean Monette, would become one of the major houses in France and, under his authority, one of some fifty foundations. In 1762, Pope Clement XIIIPope Clement XIIIPope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769....
abolished the Ordre du Saint-Esprit. Auray installed the headquarters of a general hospital on the site and later, in 1790, a military hospital. In the early 19th century, what remains of the buildings was converted into a barracks. Restoration work took place from 1990-1994 which returned the chapel to its earlier form and it has taken the name of Caserne Dugesclin. The restoration has allowed the building to regain its original form: a unique space of five spans and a shape uncommon to Brittany. The building was classed as a historical monument on 4 November 1982. - The Town Hall, built in the 18th century has been a historical monument since 1963.
- The church of Saint-Sauveur. Built in the 19th century (its door dates to the fifteenth century), it contains a model battleship armory dating from 1865.
- The Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (1862–1878).
- The Saint-Goustan bridge. The first mention of a stone bridge linking the lower town to the upper is from the thirteenth century. In 1464, after its rebuilding, it was renamed Pont Neuf. Its final form dates to 1752 and its last restoration was in 1983. A toll-house building is on the right-hand-side.
- The Chazelles fountain. Located on the Martin dock, it dates from 1821 and was used to supply water to people and passing boats.
- The Auray monastery, north of the Auray railway station, is in Brech.
Personalities associated with the commune
- Roland Becker, a traditional Breton musician, was born in Auray.
- Alain LantyAlain LantyAlain Lanty is a French singer, composer and pianist.He has composed songs for a great number of French artists including Renaud, Florent Pagny, Marc Lavoine, Dani, Régine, Maurane, Hélène Ségara, Jean-Luc Lahaye....
, pianist, composer and performer, was born in Auray. - Georges Cadoudal, head of the Chouan during the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThe French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, was born in Kerléano which is today in Auray, but which was in the Brech parish at the time of his birth. - Philippe Gildas, TV presenter, was born in Auray .
- Ulrich Le PenUlrich Le PenUlrich Le Pen is a French footballer currently a free agent- Career :Le Pen began his professional career with Rennes where he spent six years. In 110 games, he scored once. Either a winger or central midfielder, he is renowned for his passing. He moved to Laval where he scored 14 goals in 50...
, a footballer, was born in Auray. - Marcel Mettenhoven, the landscape painter, was born and died in Auray.
- Ballerat Georges, (1902–2000), a landscape painter, died in Auray.
- General Auguste LahoulleAuguste LahoulleGeneral Auguste Joseph Marie Lahoulle began his military career as a World War I flying ace. He was a double ace during the war, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-Service before and during World War I:...
(1891-1959) was born in Auray
Twinning
Auray is twinned with UsselUssel
Ussel is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Ussel, Cantal, in the Cantal département* Ussel, Corrèze, a sous-préfecture in the Corrèze département* Ussel, Lot, in the Lot département...
, France, Utting
Utting
Utting is a municipality in the district of Landsberg in Bavaria in Germany.-History:During World War II, a subcamp of Dachau concentration camp was located in the town.-External links:*...
, Germany and Castlebar
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
, Ireland.
- CastlebarCastlebarCastlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
,County Mayo,Ireland
Sport
Since 1985, the city has hosted the Open Super 12 in February, an international tennis tournament. Some well-known players have taken part, including Amélie MauresmoAmélie Mauresmo
Amélie Simone Mauresmo ; is a French former professional tennis player, and a former World No. 1. Mauresmo won two Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon....
, Olivier Rochus
Olivier Rochus
Olivier Rochus is a Belgian tennis player. He was born in Namur, Belgium, and currently resides in Auvelais, Belgium.-Career:...
, Justine Henin-Hardenne
Justine Henin-Hardenne
Justine Henin , formerly known as Justine Henin-Hardenne , is a retired professional Belgian tennis player and former World No. 1....
, Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
, Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera is a Spanish professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. , he is ranked No. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals...
, Paul-Henri Mathieu
Paul-Henri Mathieu
Paul-Henri Mathieu is a French tennis player.-Tennis career:Mathieu was born in Strasbourg, France. He first began playing tennis at age 3, with his older brother Pierre-Yves. Between 1997 and 2000 he trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida...
, Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet is a French professional tennis player. He won the mixed doubles Grand Slam title at the 2004 French Open, partnering Tatiana Golovin. His highest ranking in singles is #7. His best achievements in tennis are reaching the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2007 and later that year...
, Dinara Safina
Dinara Safina
Dinara Mikhailovna Safina , born April 27, 1986 in Moscow, is a Russian professional tennis player of Tatar background. Safina's career high ranking is World No. 1....
and Alizé Cornet
Alizé Cornet
Alizé Cornet is a French professional tennis player and the current French number three . She was born in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, and has a career-high ranking of No. 11, achieved on 16 February 2009; as of 4 July 2011 she is ranked World No. 69...
.
Auray received the start of the second stage of the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
6 July 2008.