Explore Auxerre through a range of themes: the long history of Saint-Germain Abbey, historic buildings, green spaces, science and the history of winegrowing. This variety can help you choose a focus when planning your stay—perhaps architecture and art, walking trails, or nature and science.

Abbey History and Notable Details

Saint-Germain Abbey has a history spanning sixteen centuries, and its crypts are among the oldest in France. On a visit, you can see a group of monastic buildings with a variety of architectural styles. Some of these buildings house the collections of Auxerre’s art and history museum. This brings the group of buildings and the collections together in a shared context, without suggesting that all the monastic buildings have the same architecture.

The Tour de l’Horloge was built on the foundations of a former Gallo-Roman city gate. It features an astronomical clock whose two hands show the movements of the sun and moon. The building thus brings together two distinct historical references: an earlier city gate and an astronomical timepiece. Access to the tower itself may vary depending on construction work, so check current access arrangements before visiting. The crypt of Cathédrale Saint-Etienne also contains a rare mural of Christ on horseback. This image offers a different emphasis from the clock and broadens the choice of cultural history topics.

The Muséum d’Auxerre focuses on a different set of topics: its programme includes temporary exhibitions, workshops and events on biodiversity and current science. This sets it apart thematically from the art and history collections in some of the abbey buildings. If you want to plan a stay that goes beyond historic buildings, you can also include nature-related and scientific topics.

Green Spaces and Walks

The Parc du Muséum is a French Baroque garden with a wide variety of tree species, including native species and those from Asia and North America. The garden combines formal design with trees from different regions. By contrast, the Parc de l’Arbre-Sec, on the banks of the Yonne, has green spaces, shaded walking trails and play areas. The two parks therefore offer different highlights: garden design and a variety of trees in one, and paths and open spaces by the water in the other.

If you want to plan a longer route, the Coulée verte is a developed, nature-oriented corridor along a former railway line. The walking trail is almost 15 kilometres long and runs around Auxerre. Its length and route distinguish it from a visit to a single garden or park; the Coulée verte offers a way to plan a longer walk.

Water can also be part of your activity plans: from the Port d’Auxerre, visitors can take a boat trip or steer a small electric boat. Operators and availability may change. Check in advance which options are available for your planned date.

The History of Winegrowing in Auxerre

The Clos de la Chaînette is the only vineyard still in operation within the city of Auxerre. It is also among the oldest wineries documented in France, with a history recorded since the 7th century. Auxerre’s winegrowing history can thus be understood both through a vineyard that is still in operation and through a very early historical record. This adds a distinct connection to the history of winegrowing to the area’s other themes.

Discover more destinations: Vallery, Saint-Privé, Héry, Vermenton, Chablis, Maillot, Bussy-Le-Repos, Villy.

For the regional travel overview: Yonne.