"What a surprise! So many beautiful old buildings!" Top 5 Page for this destination Auxerre by angiebabe

Auxerre Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 260 photos

pretty main square with 15th century clocktower

Discover the historical town centre

The city of Auxerre and the Auxerre region Tourist Information Centre have created a pedestrian route in Auxerre's town centre with markings to follow accompanied by a brochure , that i was given when i went into a small branch of the Tourist Office, to help passing tourists discover the town.

The 'City of Art and History' label earned in 1995

picturesque row of timbered houses near the river

I had never read or heard any tourist info on this town ie none of my guidebooks mentioned this town in Burgundy down near Dijon - I had only happened to notice (when tearing along the freeway on my rush to Montreux but i was just too late! too long at Vernon and Giverny and then caught up in the nightmare that is Paris' ring roads) there were roadside motels here of the roadside motel chains that i have books on for their whereabouts around my travels in case i need to stop - and then noticed signs advertising to the historical sites of the town nearby.

So the next day off i went and wow what beautiful big buildings began appearing and then the medieval timbered sort were appearing - this looked like my kind of town!

A small branch i found out later of the main tourist office was just there near the centre and approach to the dazzling clock tower and copious number of beautiful timbered buildings - the lovely girl in there was able to give me a good map of the town which happened to be a walking tour map - i didnt want to take too long just see some good sights and good photos and get going as I wanted to get up to the famous Fountainebleu as well.

old riverside houses of Place du Coche d'eau

With buildings and vineyards recorded as beginning as early as the 5th century there is much here of the styles and passions from all through the ages - Romanesque, Renaissance, Classical, Carolingian, Louis VIII-XV, 14th and 15th timbered and stone medieval buildings and even Art Deco!

Pros and Cons

Pros:specially marked tourist trail to see the remarkable range of styles through the ages and historical roots here in Auxerre, rather photogenic!
In a nutshell:more than just a hotel beside the freeway!

Last visit to Auxerre: Jul 2007
Intro Updated Aug 3, 2007
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Reviews (18)

down at the river Yonne Things to Do (18)

The main tourist office is down here at the river and starts its walking tour here - here it recommends too to get the... more travel advice

the Count's Palace and Place... Things to Do (18)

In behind the Clock tower and the Town Hall is the square, which looks more like a big parking lot, is a building... more travel advice

medieval timbered buildings in the Town Square - Auxerre

another one of Auxerre's loveliest... Things to Do (18)

The Town Hall's Square - Place de l'Hotel de Ville - called this in every french town i visited? - is a lovely square... more travel advice

an old citreon parked in just the right spot! - Auxerre

look out for medieval streets Things to Do (18)

Following the 'Follow the Thread of History in Auxerre' walking tour you get to see a significant number of historical... more travel advice

Comments (26)

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balhannah Jan 3, 2012 at 10:21 PM

WOW! This is gorgeous, my kind of town! Lots of lovely photo's and good information, thanks for sharing!
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Maryimelda Feb 10, 2011 at 5:16 PM

I'd never heard of Auxerre before I saw your page. I have to go there, thanks to you. Now all I have to do is go back to the drawing board and change the itinerary yet again.
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evaanna Nov 19, 2009 at 6:44 AM

I am sure I would be thrilled to see all those gorgeous houses. Thanks for this beautifully illustrated virtual tour.
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ThiagoRamos Oct 8, 2009 at 11:48 AM

I always forget to rate the pages I visit!!! But be sure that your tips are all VERY HELPFUL!!! Congratulations!!!
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tiabunna Jul 30, 2009 at 6:05 AM

You clearly had a great photographic tour here, Angie. Good stuff - and yet another "must visit" place for me! After your comment on Canberra, it could do with a "follow the thread" touring system like this!
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breughel Jun 25, 2009 at 7:35 AM

Thanks for rating my Haarlem page. Really worthwhile to spend there a full day. Recently in France we wanted to visit Auxerre and it started raining approaching Bourgogne, so that we continued our road. From your tips and photos it seems we must return.
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BruceDunning Jun 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM

It looks like a fabulous place to visit. the traditional wood cross framed buildings are neat to see, and colorful.
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Herwig1961 Apr 28, 2009 at 1:50 AM

Never have been there but the place looks very tempting!Stunning fotos and excellent descriptions!Greetings Herwig
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mustertal Feb 18, 2009 at 8:48 AM

We ended up in Auxerre last year for a long week end. I wish I'd read your pages first, we missed quite a lot.
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Bwana_Brown Feb 1, 2009 at 1:20 PM

Angie, you have out-done yourself with this page! What a stroke of luck you had to end up in Auxerre after hitting traffic problems near Paris. Your photos are magnificent and descriptions very informative! Thank you.