Auxerre

Auxerre
Name	Auxerre
Arrondissement	Auxerre
Canton	Auxerre-1, Auxerre-2, Auxerre-3, Auxerre-4
Insee	89024
Postal code	89000
Mayor	Crescent Marault
Term	2020–2026
Elevation min m	93
Elevation max m	217
Area km2	49.95
Population	34,778
Population date	2021

Auxerre. A historic city in north-central France, it serves as the prefecture of the Yonne department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Situated on the banks of the Yonne River, it is renowned for its rich Gallo-Roman heritage, magnificent Gothic architecture, and its historical role as a major ecclesiastical center. The city's well-preserved medieval core and its association with prominent figures like the theologian Hélinand of Froidmont and the football club AJ Auxerre contribute to its contemporary significance.

History

The site was originally a Gallo-Roman settlement known as *Autessiodurum*, a key crossing point on the Yonne River along the road from Lugdunum to Augustobona. In the 3rd century, its first bishop, Saint Peregrinus, was martyred, establishing its early Christian importance. The city flourished under the Merovingian dynasty, with its bishops, such as Germanus of Auxerre, wielding considerable secular and religious power, a status later solidified under the Duchy of Burgundy. During the Hundred Years' War, it endured sieges and was eventually incorporated into the Kingdom of France under Louis XI. The French Wars of Religion brought conflict, with the city captured by Huguenot forces under the Prince of Condé in 1567. Auxerre later became a center of the Counter-Reformation, led by influential bishops like Jacques Amyot, translator for Charles IX.

Geography

Auxerre is positioned on the crystalline slopes of the Paris Basin, overlooking a wide meander of the Yonne River. The city's topography features a notable elevation change from the riverbanks to the upper town, offering panoramic views. It lies at the confluence of several natural regions, including the Puisaye to the west and the Sénonais to the north, and is part of the broader hydrological network that feeds into the Seine basin. The surrounding countryside is characterized by vineyards, notably those of the Saint-Bris AOC appellation, forests, and agricultural plains, with the Morvan regional natural park located to the southeast.

Main sights

The city's skyline is dominated by the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d'Auxerre, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture famed for its 13th-century stained glass windows and intricate labyrinth. The former Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre, founded by Queen Clotilde, houses remarkable Carolingian crypt frescoes and the tomb of Germanus of Auxerre. The Clock Tower marks the entrance to the old town, while the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire is housed in the former Abbey of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste. Other landmarks include the Church of Saint-Eusèbe, with its Flamboyant Gothic portal, and the 15th-century House of the Treasury.

Economy

Traditionally centered on wine production, particularly for the Chablis and Bourgogne vineyards, the local economy has diversified. It is an administrative hub for the departmental services of the Yonne and hosts the headquarters of major companies like the Picard Surgelés frozen food chain. The presence of the University of Burgundy's IUT d'Auxerre fosters education and technology sectors, while agribusiness and logistics, supported by the city's port on the Yonne, remain significant. Tourism, driven by its historical patrimony and the Festival d'Auxerre, also contributes substantially.

Transport

Auxerre is served by the A6 autoroute (Autoroute du Soleil), connecting it to Paris and Lyon. The city's main railway station, Gare d'Auxerre-Saint-Gervais, offers regional TER services to Laroche-Migennes and direct Intercités links to Paris-Bercy. The Canal de Bourgogne and the navigable Yonne River provide freight waterway access. Public transit within the metropolitan area is operated by Léa, a bus network, while the Auxerre – Branches Aerodrome facilitates general aviation.

Notable people

Prominent historical figures from Auxerre include the 5th-century bishop and theologian Germanus of Auxerre; the 9th-century scholar and poet Hélinand of Froidmont; and the Renaissance bishop and translator Jacques Amyot. In the arts, it was the birthplace of the composer Joseph Bodin de Boismortier and the painter Jean-Baptiste Lallemand. The 19th-century socialist thinker Paul Lafargue, son-in-law of Karl Marx, was also born here. Modern notables include footballer Laurent Blanc and the former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Category:Communes of Yonne Category:Prefectures in France