Auxerre is a city in central France, located on the Yonne River (left tributary of the Seine). Its origins date back to ancient times, when the Romans founded one of their colonies here and named it Autissiodorum. Today, Auxerre is inhabited by just under 40 thousand citizens and is the administrative capital of Lower Burgundy.
One of Auxerre’s most valuable monuments is the Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephen (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne). Near the cathedral is the Benedictine Abbey of St. Germain. A famous monastic school was established at the abbey, which Thomas Becket attended after studying law in Bologna.
Other important monuments in Auxerre include the 13th-century Romanesque Church of St. Eusebius (Église Saint-Eusèbe), the 16th-century Church of St. Peter (Église Saint-Pierre), the Chapel of the Visitation (Chapelle des Visitandines), built in 1714, the 16th-century Church of Saint-Mamert, and the Gothic Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge).
Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre
The Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre was a Benedictine monastery dedicated to its founder, Saint Germain of Auxerre, Bishop of Auxerre, who died in 448. In 1927, 9th-century wall frescoes were discovered beneath the 17th-century crypt frescoes. During the Revolution, several bays of the nave were demolished, and the secularized abbey was used as a hospital. The former nave was located under the present courtyard.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Auxerre
A masterpiece of Gothic art, the Saint-Etienne Cathedral in Auxerre was built in 1215. It has only one tower. On its façade you can discover numerous sculptures depicting scenes of life at the time. One of the most beautiful sets of stained glass windows preserved in France! Impressive and elegant, the Cathedral of Auxerre rivals all the cathedrals of northern France in the magnificence of its portal sculptures and stained glass windows. The latter are the most valuable.
There are 32 windows from the first half of the 13th century, with magnificent shades of blue and warm red. The three huge rose windows are from the 16th century. It contains a fresco of Christ on horseback, a fresco unique in Europe! It also contains a treasure trove of collectibles.
Archbishopric of Sens Auxerre
Archdiocese of Sens – an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in central France. It is assumed that the bishopric in the then Agedincum was established in the 1st century, while a more formalized archdiocese operated there from the 3rd century. In 1801 it was abolished, but was restored in 1822.
La Tour de l’Horloge
Located in the pedestrian center of Old Auxerre, the clock tower, or Gaillarde Tower, was built in 1483, on the side of one of the 12th-century city gates. It was a belfry symbolizing the city’s independence and prosperity. It was listed as a historic monument in 1862.
The clock has two dials inscribed with Gothic ornamentation, one on the east facade and the other on the west facade. The hours are marked in Roman numerals, twice 12 o’clock, from noon to midnight. The half-hours are indicated by diamonds. Near the tower was the house of the bailiff Guillaume Roussel (Cadet Rousselle).
Auxerre Natural History Museum
The Muséum d’Auxerre is to present, promote and foster understanding of biodiversity, the environment and current scientific events through a cultural program of permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational events and participation in national events (European Heritage Days, Museum Night, Science Festival). The Museum conserves 140,000 natural history specimens, earning it the “Musée de France” label. French-style park.
