You are here: Visit France > Regions of France > Burgundy > Yonne > Auxerre

Auxerre

Book Hotels

Reserve online, pay at the hotel

Destination

Check in

Check out

'Best price guaranteed' by booking.com

See also: France car hire

Visit Auxerre, Burgundy

Auxerre is a town on the Yonne River and in the Yonne department of the Burgundy region. Historically, the town owes its importance to its important position on the river, and also on the once important trade route between the Mediterranean and the North Sea.

Exploring Auxerre

Auxerre is an interesting place to visit, with the town centre towered over by the cathedral and by several churches. The part of the town of most interest to visitors occupies the hill that runs up from the west bank of the river, and includes the major churches and the historical old town.

Churches and cathedral

The best way to get a perspective of the churches in Auxerre is by walking onto the main bridge across the river (the Pont Paul Bert) for a very good view of the Auxerre 'skyline' (and the place where many photographs of Auxerre are taken).

From here you can see three main churches - running south to north these are the Church of Saint Peter, the Saint Etienne Cathedral, and the Saint Germain Abbey.

The Abbey of St Germain at Auxerre is also interesting, with the cloisters and other monastery buildings now open to the public, partly as a museum dedicated to the history of Auxerre and region. The abbey is renowned for the frescoes it contains in its crypt which date from the 9th century and are the oldest known church frescoes in France.

There are several other religious monuments in Auxerre including the Church of Saint-Pierre, the Church of Saint-Eusebé and the Visitandines Chapel among others.

The Central Old Town

But Auxerre is much more than just crypts and churches - the town itself has a great deal to offer as you explore and much of the old historic centre of the town is now a region of protected development.

Before exploring ask for the map at Auxerre Tourist Office - they have a paid version which suggests a route to be followed and an 'under the counter' free version which also shows the highlights.

The main Tourist Office is next to the river, although a smaller one can also be found near the clocktower.

There are attractive squares where you can take a rest in a cafe, joined by narrow medieval streets and a myriad of attractive ancient houses, often with half-timbered facades. The part of Auxerre around the town hall and the clock tower are the most interesting.

The highlight is the old town gateway in the heart of Auxerre Old Town, a 15th century clocktower where the ochre and gold coloured sundial and moondial can be seen. The tower is in the heart of the pedestrianised centre of Auxerre.

The rest of the old town should also be explored, especially in the section of town between the Town Hall and the Saint Etienne Cathedral, where you will discover various other interesting buildings.

Other things to see and do in Auxerre

You should also walk a little way along the river (the 'marine quarter' of the town), for views across the town and to see the many boats that stop here.

There are also two other museums in Auxerre that are of interest to visitors. One is the Museum Leblanc-Duvernoy featuring tapestries and furniture, while the other is the Natural History Museum.

Of the many parks and gardens in the town we recommend you visit the Arboretum Darnus-Rantheaume or the Parc de l'Arbre Sec, a botanic garden next to the river.

Photos of Auxerre (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Auxerre: Listed town of Art and History; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Auxerre, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

Pontigny 16km

Chablis 17km

Joigny 24km

Tonnerre 31km

See these places and more on a map at places near Auxerre

Auxerre tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Saint Martial (Seignelay) - religious monument (12km) : Abbaye de Pontigny (Pontigny) - religious monument (16km) : Basilique Sainte Madeleine (Vezelay) - religious monument (39km) : Jardins du manoir du Grand Courtoiseau - remarkable garden (47km) : Jardin du prieuré - remarkable garden (54km) : Parc du château de Thorigny - remarkable garden (56km) : Jardin du moulin de Athie - remarkable garden (57km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame-du-Pré (Donzy) - religious monument (59km) :