Explore the wealth of Auxerre
Auxerre, a town of Art and History, has preserved an exceptional architectural heritage through the ages. Its historic centre, crisscrossed with narrow, winding streets, could have come straight out of an architecture book!
But instead of leafing through them, go exploring! Raise your head, open your eyes and take your time as you wander... for each nook and cranny conceals a piece of Art and History.
Saint-Etienne Cathedral (11th-16th centuries)
The model of elegance and Gothic style, the cathedral is adorned with remarkable bas reliefs on its doorway. The stained glass windows in the choir and transept endow the inside with a particular tonality and are some of the most beautifully preserved in France.
Don't miss the 11th century crypts, vestiges of the Romanesque cathedral and celebrated for their very rare mural painting of "Christ on horseback" . The treasure-house harbouring precious items of worship (13th century enamels, miniatures and ancient manuscripts) is also worth seeing.
Information: Les Amis de la Cathédrale: +33 (0)3.86.52.23.29
The cathedral is open all year from mi-november to mi-march : from monday to saturday from 7.30 to 5.30 and sundays from 8.30 to 5.30. From mi-march to mi-november : from monday to saturday from 7.30 to 7.00 and sundays from 8.30 to 7.00.
The treasure and the crypt : from mi-november to mi-march : from monday to saturday from 10:00 to 5.00. Closed on sundays. From mi-march to mi-november : from monday to saturday from 9.00 to 6.00 and sundays from 2:00 to 6:00.
Saint-Germain Abbey (9th-18th centuries)
A monastery complex almost completely intact, Saint-Germain Abbey has stood for a thousand years. The 9th century crypts , the highlight of the visit, are decorated with the oldest mural paintings discovered in France to date.
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.
Don't miss 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.
Information: +33 (0)3.86.18.02.90
Visits : the abbey is open daily except on tuesdays and some bank holidays (1st and 8th may, 1st and 11st november, 25th of december and 1st of january). Summer season (1st of may - 30 september) : from 9:45 to 6:45 , winter season (1st october - 30 april) : from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 2:00 to 5:00.
The Clock Tower (15th century) and old Auxerre
The remains of a Gallo-Roman tower that has been rebuilt over the centuries, the Clock Tower marks the heart of the pedestrian zone. Against the Tower, you'll see a room housing the mechanics of the Clock that was erected by the bourgeoisie of Auxerre in the 15th century. The Clock's distinctive feature is its two hands. You can see a sun at the end of one, and the moon at the end of the other, indicating the solar or lunar movements.
Near the tower you'll find the house of a bailiff who became famous through a nursery rhyme sung in all the schools in France: Guillaume Roussel, better known as Cadet Roussel .
Half-timbered houses, Renaissance residences, 18th century town houses, a 19th century covered gallery, art deco buildings and statues of famous people (Restif de la Bretonne, Marie-Noël, etc.) all add to the charm of this area just waiting to be explored!
Maison du Coche-d'Eau (16th century) and place Saint-Nicolas
Place du Coche-d’Eau harbours the memory of the boat which linked Auxerre to Paris, transporting both passengers and goods. A house will capture your attention: a fine stone and wooden residence dating back to the 16th century adorned with string-pieces, an anchor and a ship, a reminder that the patron was a water-based merchant.
Nearby, place Saint-Nicolas, looking out on the river, is also a reminder of the importance of marine activity in Auxerre. In the 18th century, the Mariners' Fellowship had a magnificent statue of Saint-Nicolas built on the square in multi-coloured wood. The Protector Saint of mariners, Nicolas still blesses the passers-by.
Saint-Pierre Church (16th - 17th centuries)
Today standing alone, the church 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.
Come and admire the typical decor of this period and particularly the encounter between an ancient divinity, Cérès, Goddess of abundance, and a biblical episode, Noah's drunkenness.
Saint-Eusèbe Church (12th - 16th centuries)
Saint-Eusèbe Church has been rebuilt consistently through the centuries. Seen from the square, the building has a heterogeneous profile: a Romanesque tower with remarkable decor dominates a gothic nave (13th century) and Renaissance choir (16th century). It's worth a glance inside too, as it has recently been restored. Impressive paintings adorn the vaults, and a fine collection of stained glass windows lights up the Renaissance choir.
Visitandines Chapel (18th century)
This classical-style chapel houses a significant collection of multicoloured wood sculptures made by a local artist, François Brochet.
The chapel may only be visited in the summer, when you can come along and admire the inside architecture of this dome-covered building. It is open from 1 July to 30 September, Wednesdays to Sundays from 2pm to 6pm.
Leblanc Duvernoy Museum
In the intimist setting of an 18th century town house, come and discover the Beauvais tapestries made in the 18th century, along with a significant collection of regional and national earthenware and stoneware from Puisaye.
Information:+33 (0)3.86.18.05.50
Visits : the museum is open daily except on tuesdays and some bank holidays (1st and 8th may, 1st and 11st november, 25th of december and 1st of january). Summer season (1st of may - 30 september) : from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 2:00 to 6:30. Open from 10:00 to 6:30 on saturdays and sundays , winter season (1st october - 30 april) : open only on saturdays and sundays from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 2:00 to 5:00.
Saint-Germain Abbey Museum
Housed in Saint-Germain Abbey, this museum has a display of Prehistoric, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval collections from Auxerre. A visit to the museum will take you through old monastery areas: the abbot's logis (18th century), cloister (17th century), store room (14th century), sacristy and chapter room (12th century), monks' room and their old dormitories, both restored in the 17th century.
Information: +33 (0)3.86.18.05.53
Visits : open from wednesdays to sundays. Closed on monday and tuesday and some bank holidays (1st and 8th may, 1st and 11st november, 25th of december and 1st of january). Summer season (1st of may - 30 september) : from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 2:00 to 6:30 from wednesdays tofriday and from 10:00 to 6:30 on saturdays and sundays , winter season (1st october - 30 april) : from 10:00 to 12:00 for the archeological collections and from 2:00 to 5:00 for the temporary exhibitions.
Natural History Museum
The museum houses collections of local palaeontology, bears from the Arcy sur Cure caves and fossiles from Mailly le Château, stuffed animals (including 1,500 birds), shells, insects and an array of diverse species in the museum grounds. Every year, the museum puts on two temporary exhibitions: one in the winter and one in the summer (on scientific or environmental themes). The house is dedicated to Paul Bert, a great physiologist from Auxerre; a room is devoted to his life and work. Information:+33 (0)3.86.72.96.40
Open from january to december from monday to friday from 1:30 to 5:30 and sunday from 2:00 to 5:30.
Maison de l'Eau et de l'Environnement (19th-20th centuries)
Located in an old water pumping station built in 1882 and renovated in 1914, the Maison de l’Eau et de l’Environnement is devoted to raising the public's awareness of the theme of environmental preservation. Temporary exhibitions and events are organised regularly and look into themes relating to water and nature.
Information:+33 (0)3.86.72.96.40
Texts : Service Animation du Patrimoine, town of Auxerre.
The Tourist Office of Auxerrois and the Service Animation du Patrimoine de la Ville d'Auxerre (Auxerre Heritage Centre) offer guided tours of these monuments all year round.
Consult : Programme of guided tours.
