Visiting Burgundy without stopping to see Auxerre is like travelling to the Côte de Beaune without touring a vineyard: it just wouldn’t be right! That’s why a Burgundy barge cruise with European Waterways features a rendezvous in the historic streets of one of the region’s most prized cities.
Full of the best of French culture and bursting with secrets waiting to be discovered, Auxerre is a sparkling gem in Burgundy’s crown. Famed for its production of northern Burgundian wines, including Chablis, and picturesque streets of half-timbered houses, there’s plenty to see, do and eat when you visit.
Here’s our top pick of things to see and do in Auxerre:
Start with a Wander
The Old Town in Auxerre has been protected to preserve all the best medieval buildings, meaning it’s a place that’s stood still in time, changing little since the 1500s. Visitors can see the city in all its glory, Auxerre’s river and streets lined with pretty pastel buildings, with their gabled rooves and half-timbered structures.
The best way to see the city of Auxerre is on a self-guided tour around the cobbled streets and squares, which are punctuated with stone water features and benches. Simply use the way-finding arrows beneath your feet to guide you on the circular Cadet Roussel trail.
Listen as the Old Clock Tower Strikes the Hour
Situated in the heart of the city, Auxerre’s Old Clock Tower dates to 1483. Built in the Gallo-Roman city wall, the clock welcomes visitors to Auxerre’s medieval streets, where they can walk beneath its arch and admire the working mechanisms.
The astrological Old Clock of Auxerre has two sets of hands – one to tell the time in a 24-hour clock and the other to show the lunar cycle of the moon. A chamber next to the tower houses the clock’s mechanism, which has been in working order since it was made in 1483. Keep an eye out for a house next to the clock tower, which was once home to Guillaume Rouselle!
Stop at the Cadet Rousselle Statue
Undoubtedly the most famous person to have lived in Auxerre is the eccentric town crier, Guillaume Joseph Rousselle. Known for his quirky personality, Rousselle was a bailiff with a lively personality who was memorialised in a statue.
Sculpted by Francois Brochet, the statue of Rousselle stands proud at the centre of Rue de Bert’s fountain, with one arm holding a pigeon to the sky. Auxerre’s most famous citizen is a quintessential household name in France, thanks to Gaspard de Chenu’s jovial nursery rhyme, which popularised Rouselle’s quirks during the French Revolution.
Marvel at Auxerre Cathedral
Auxerre’s St Etienne Cathedral is one of the most exquisite examples of gothic architecture anywhere in the world. Designated a world heritage site in 1892, the cathedral is a magnificent display of historic art and architecture from the 13th to the 19th century. Occupying a site of worship since the 3rd century, the cathedral is a symbol of Auxerre’s historic prosperity.
Be sure to visit Auxerre Cathedral to see extraordinary medieval frescoes, art and sculpture from 1300-1600, and the ornately carved infrastructure of the choir stalls and chapels. Don’t miss the impressive medieval carved tympanum over the entrance door, which depicts the Last Judgement.
Explore the Abbey of Saint-Germain
With a spire visible across the city of Auxerre, the abbey of Saint-Germain is a gothic church at the centre of the city’s history. Founded in the 6th century to protect the tomb of Saint-Germain, this Carolingian abbey has witnessed invasion by the Vikings and the iconoclasm of its sculpture during the French Revolution.
The abbey of Saint-Germain features architectural styles from the Romanesque to the Gothic revival, having become what’s essentially a catalogue of French architectural styles through the ages. Explore its 1000-year-old mysterious crypts, behold its spectacular basilica, and study the oldest frescoes in France,
Discover the Natural History of Auxerre
Filled with over 140,000 exhibits, Auxerre’s Natural History Museum displays fossils, skeletons and taxidermy from creatures both existing and extinct. If you’re lucky, you may even catch an exhibition about mythical creatures!
To explore themes of biodiversity, geology or palaeontology in an accessible way that’s great for everyone, this museum is a must-visit. Even if natural science isn’t your thing, the museum is set within a stunning, French-style Jardin, which is pleasant to walk or sit in.
Take a stroll at Parc de l'Arbre Sec
Constituting an enormous 4900m2 area, Auxerre’s grand Parc de l’Arbre Sec provides acres of green space for visitors and citizens to enjoy. Walk or cycle around using the paths in the park and enjoy areas from the arboretum to the children’s garden.
The Parc de l’Arbre Sec was designed in the nineteenth century by Fernand Gauthier, who was an architect and surveyor of Auxerre. Laid out in the popular French style of landscaper Édouard André, the park contains over 300 trees of 52 different varieties and over 7500 plants and shrubs.
Hike to the Auxerre vineyards at Clos de la Chaînette
Established in the 12th century, the historic vineyards at Clos de la Chaînette are a wonder to behold. Renowned as the oldest in Burgundy, the spectacle of hundreds of vines planted across the Burgundy landscapes make for excellent sightseeing.
Situated just a short distance from the centre of Auxerre, the vines are constituted of 75% chardonnay grapes and 25% pinot noir. To view the whole vineyard, visit during the Fleurs de Vigne festival at the end of May, or find a spot on the outskirts of Auxerre to admire the views during autumn as the leaves change colour.
Experience French flavours at the local food market
If you’d like to taste the flavours of the very best food and beverages that Auxerre has to offer, then visit one of the many markets in Auxerre. Savour the taste of the perfect Chablis in a riverside cafe or pick up some dried meats and cheese for a taste later in the evening.
The Auxerre weekly markets are open mornings on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, and the farmer’s market is on every Saturday from 8am-12.30pm. Whether you trial some of the products on offer or purchase some to take away, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the smells, clamour and taste of the Auxerre food market. It’s a thoroughly French experience!
Have a Bite to Eat and a Glass of Wine
Sightseeing can take a lot out of you – why not stop for a bite of the area’s world-renowned cuisine and a sip or two of their famous wine? Try dishes such as escargot de Bourgogne (snails cooked in the shell with garlic butter and parsley) and coq au vin (a chicken stew with lardons, carrots and mushrooms) at one of the city’s many restaurants, and wash it all down with a glass of one of the local wines.
If you’re interested in barge holidays in France, join us as we visit Auxerre (along with many other fascinating French places). From a delicious meal to history beyond comparison, this city is sure to please just about every traveller.
Cruise the Canal du Nivernais with European Waterways
Join us as we visit Auxerre on our hotel barge L’Art de Vivre. Travel along one of the most beautiful canals in France, the Canal du Nivernais, and experience an itinerary bursting with stops at fantastic French places from the Côte de Beaune to Vézelay.
From a delicious meal cooked onboard by your chef, to medieval tales of crusaders, a barge cruise through Burgundy is sure to tick every box on your travel tour wishlist.
Contact Us for more information.
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