Just 90 minutes southeast of Paris, the city of Auxerre (pronounced Aussere) is located in the Yonne Department and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Or, what is simply known to most English-speaking visitors as the Burgundy region.
Auxerre’s highlights include the Abbey of Saint-Germain d’Auxerre sitting along the Yonne River, just one of several churches in the town worth visiting. The Medieval city center features a stunning astronomical clock. The city has both a natural history museum and a digital arts museum. And, of course, its many local restaurants allow visitors to experience Burgundy’s famed culinary delights.
But Auxerre, Burgundy’s fourth largest town, is also a great jumping-off point to explore the region’s famed vineyards, including Chablis, and a series of other small, historic villages such as Vézelay and Noyers-sur-Serein which are often ranked among the most beautiful in France. The Yonne River and the Canal de Nivernais can be enjoyed by boat, bike, or on foot.
Put it all together, and there is plenty in Auxerre for anything from a quick day-trip to an extended stay to really explore Burgundy.
