Discovering Auxerre's treasures

Auxerre, city of Art and History, has conserved an exceptional architectural heritage over time. Its historical town centre, criss-crossed with narrow, winding streets, seems to come straight from a book about architecture.

Saint-etienne cathedral  The cathedral, a model of gothic style elegance, has portals with remarkable bas-reliefs. The stained glass in the chancel and transept give the inner spaces unique intonation, and is one of France's finest examples from this period.

clock tower  This Clock's originality lies in the hands. The sun and moon are placed on the end, displaying solar and lunar movements.

Chapel of the order of the visitation  This classic style chapel holds 80 polychrome wood sculptures created by François Brochet, including the "Massacre of the Innocents".

Museum of the saint-germain abbey  This museum holds Auxerre's prehistoric, Gallo-Roman, and medieval collections in the abbey's monastic buildings.  The museum also has an "artothèque", or gallery with contemporary art work available on loan.

saint-pierre church  The church was established on the ancient site of an abbey (VIth C.). The building, with a gothic structure, boats a square tower similar to that of the cathedral. Winegrowners financed part of its construction (opulent decorations on the outer portico, the façade, and some interior chapels are reminders of this).

Discover auxerre by electric boat  You can admire our region's fauna and flora for 1/2 hour or the entire day, and enjoy the calm and peacefulness of an ounting on the water with family or friends.

passenger barge home  In summer, you can discover contemporary art exhibitions in this house with half-timbering, setbacks, and wooden overhangs (on right in photo) located in the ancient marine neighbourhood.