Auxerre (Yonne)

Auxerre is a picturesque old town, located in north Burgundy, on the west bank of the River Yonne.

Auxerre situated approximately 3 hours from Paris. Praised for its religious architecture, its pretty riverside setting and its football team, Auxerre is one of Frances' most celebrated places full of art and history.

The town is dominated by a gothic style Cathedral and several smaller churches.

Things To Do

Auxerre offers an Aladdin’s cave of places to see and things to do. Throughout the town itself, there are many attractive squares and narrow streets to meander around and plenty of cafés to sit and watch the world go by. In addition to the crypts and churches, there are numerous medieval half-timbered houses all offering their own slice of history.

Places of Interest

• Pont Paul-Bert - spans the River Yonne and offers undulating views of the towns’ skyline and its lush rolling countryside.
• Saint-Etienne Cathedral - built spanning a period of three centuries and still not completely finished. The cathedral still boasts some of Frances' best stained glass windows none the less. You will also find a fascinating crypt where you can see remains of the earlier cathedral on the same site.
• Saint-Pierre Church - once part of a monastery but now standing independent, the main church is 17th century but the adjoining clock tower was constructed in the 16th century. The church has a richly ornate classical facade which pays tribute to the local and patron saints of wine growers and butchers.
• Saint-Germain Abbey - a monastery complex, which has stood for a thousand years and is almost completely intact. The 9th century crypt would have to be the highlight of the visit and is decorated with the oldest mural painting in France to date.
  The Clock Tower - the ochre and gold coloured clock is still visible at the gateway in the centre of the older part of the town.
• Canal Boat Trip - situated in the town's pleasure port. The trip is a great way to discover some of the most beautiful vineyards and countryside in France.

In addition to the above mentioned, there are many other churches and museums all worth visiting; Natural History Museum, Saint-Eusèbe Church, Place Saint-Nicolas and Maison du Coche-d'Eau to name a few.

Weather

Summers are usually warm or hot with a continental feel to them and mainly dry. The climate in the spring and autumn is similar to that of South-eastern England, a mixture of sun and scattered showers with temperatures in the mid 20's.

About the location

3 hours from Paris in Yonne, north Burgundy.

Public transport available

Air: Paris is the closest city to Auxerre with an airport.

Road: From Paris, take the A6 direct to Auxerre.

Rail: There is no TGV service to Auxerre. Instead, take the SNCF train from Paris-Bercy or Gare du Lyon.

Tourist information website

Tourist information contact email

Tourist information switch board number

+ 33 (0)3 86 52 06 19

Tourist information address

2 Quai de la République, 89000, Auxerre

Local places of interest

St. Etienne Cathedral, Auxerre (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d'Auxerre) (0.15 km)

St. Etienne Cathedral was built between 11th-16th centuries, and is known for its massive stained glass windows. In Gothic style, it is renowned for its three doorways with remarkable bas-reliefs. The stained glass windows in the choir and the apsidal chapel are among the finest in France. The 11th century crypt houses the remains of the former Romanesque cathedral. read more...

Saint-Germain Abbey, Auxerre (0.29 km)

Since June 1999, the fore-nave of the Abbey church has been open to the public. Archaeological digs conducted over a ten-year period have unearthed vestiges (stonework and sarcophaguses) from the 6th, 7th and 9th centuries. Worth seeing are the chapter room (12th century), storeroom (14th century) or cloister (17th century), and as you leave the Abbey, admire Saint-Jean Tower (12th century) and its impressive stone steeple with eight convex sides. The crypt has some of the most ancient mural paintings in France, and houses the tomb of the bishops of Auxerre. read more...

Church of St. Pierre (Église Saint-Pierre) (0.38 km)

Today standing alone, the 16-17th century church of St. Pierre used to be part of a monastery. Wine-growers who were well established in the Saint-Pierre quarter funded the construction of the Gothic tower (16th century) and then part of the present church (17th century). The classical-style façade, richly ornate whose decor pays tribute to the local saints and patron saints of butchers and wine-growers, conceals a gothic-style architecture. A remarkable doorway, inspired by the Italian Renaissance (16th century), is an adaptation of the main doorway of the Castelnuovo in Naples. read more...

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