Parcours audioguidé pour visiter Auxerre

The ideal time to discover Auxerre runs from May to September, when the region's semi-oceanic climate offers its finest sunny days with temperatures around 26°C. Spring will win you over with its mildness, perfect for wandering the medieval lanes without the summer crowds. Summer lets you make the most of the banks of the Yonne and the lively café terraces. September remains particularly enchanting, with the atmosphere of the grape harvest in the surrounding Auxerre vineyards. Winter, cooler with temperatures between 1°C and 7°C, still keeps its charm for lovers of a more intimate atmosphere, even though some tourist sites may have reduced opening hours.

A full day will let you discover the essentials of Auxerre at a pleasant pace. You'll be able to explore the historic centre with its half-timbered houses, visit Saint-Étienne Cathedral and Saint-Germain Abbey, then stroll along the banks of the Yonne. For a deeper immersion and to fully savour the Burgundian atmosphere, a two-day weekend is ideal. This will give you time to explore the less touristy neighbourhoods, sample local specialities in the city-centre restaurants and perhaps even venture into the surrounding vineyards. History and architecture enthusiasts could easily devote three days to it.

The historic centre of Auxerre is best explored on foot, its modest size and cobbled lanes naturally inviting a leisurely stroll. The town's amphitheatre-like layout offers lovely views but involves a few climbs, which nonetheless remain accessible to everyone. For the more outlying neighbourhoods, or if you'd like to save your energy, the urban bus network efficiently serves the whole conurbation. Self-service bike stations are also available for those who prefer to pedal along the Yonne. Parking in the town centre can prove tricky in high season, so opt for the park-and-ride car parks on the outskirts, connected by free shuttles.

Auxerre will amaze you with the richness of its architectural heritage. Saint-Étienne Cathedral, a Gothic gem with exceptional stained-glass windows, majestically dominates the town. Saint-Germain Abbey, with its Carolingian crypt adorned with thousand-year-old frescoes, is a rare testament to medieval art. Don't miss the Clock Tower, the city's symbol, or the half-timbered houses on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Saint-Pierre Church also deserves your attention for its Renaissance façade. For an enriching discovery of these treasures, the Ryo audioguide offers a narrated tour that reveals the secrets and anecdotes of each monument while guiding you through the loveliest lanes.

Auxerre lies at the heart of Burgundy, in the Yonne department, about 170 kilometres south-east of Paris. The town enjoys excellent rail links, with direct trains from Paris-Gare de Lyon usually in under two hours. By car, the A6 motorway takes you there easily; allow around two hours from the capital depending on traffic. From Lyon, plan on about three hours' drive via the A6. The bus station also handles regular services to neighbouring towns such as Dijon, Troyes and Sens. The nearest airport is Paris-Orly, roughly two hours away by road.

The area around Auxerre is brimming with wonders to discover. About twenty kilometres away, the medieval village of Vézelay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will transport you with its Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Basilica. Wine lovers will appreciate Chablis, just twenty minutes away, for tasting its prestigious vintages in centuries-old cellars. The Château de Tanlay, a Renaissance masterpiece surrounded by moats, is well worth the detour. Closer by, the Arcy-sur-Cure caves reveal fascinating prehistoric paintings. The Nivernais Canal offers lovely outings by bike or barge. Not forgetting Pontigny Abbey, one of the largest preserved Cistercian churches.

The Auxerre region will charm you with its characterful wines, heirs to a thousand-year-old winemaking tradition. The wines of the Auxerrois, a little-known but flavoursome local appellation, offer fresh, mineral whites made mainly from Chardonnay and Sauvignon. The reds, produced from Pinot Noir, offer finesse and elegance. A few kilometres away, the prestigious Chablis vineyard produces whites renowned worldwide for their purity and minerality. Irancy, a neighbouring village, makes Pinot Noir reds with cherry notes that are particularly prized. Crémant de Bourgogne, a festive sparkling wine, harmoniously rounds out this palette. Many estates offer tastings to discover these treasures.

Auxerre will delight you with its many gourmet spots blending Burgundian tradition and contemporary creativity. The cathedral district is home to several charming restaurants set in old half-timbered houses, serving classics such as snails, bœuf bourguignon and melting Époisses cheese. The banks of the Yonne offer pleasant terraces on fine days for enjoying market cuisine paired with local wines. Place Saint-Nicolas and its adjacent lanes hide convivial bistros where you can savour an authentic gougère. For a sweet break, the town-centre pâtisseries offer the traditional cerise d'Auxerre. The covered market, open several mornings a week, lets you put together a picnic with the finest regional produce.