Things to Do in Auxerre

The medieval core with half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and the 15th-century Clock Tower standing at the junction of the main shopping streets. Walking the streets is free; the tower itself is not open to the public, but you can see its astrono

🕐 Always accessible

💡 Pick up the 'Circuit des Maisons à Pans de Bois' leaflet (free from tourist office) for a self-guided walk past 20+ medieval timber-framed houses. The best examples are on Rue Joubert and Rue de l'Horloge.

A 13th-century Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows, a crypt with 11th-century frescoes, and a climbable north tower offering city views. The main nave and crypt are free to enter; the tower costs a small fee (around €6).

🕐 Daily 9:00-18:00; crypt closed 12:00-14:00

💡 Visit the crypt first (entrance inside the cathedral, left aisle) to see the Romanesque frescoes, then climb the tower for panoramic views of the Yonne valley.

A Benedictine abbey with Carolingian crypts that contain some of the oldest frescoes in France (9th century). The grounds include a cloister and a museum, but the crypts are the main draw. Entry to the abbey and museum is free on the first Sunday of

🕐 Wed-Mon 10:00-12:30, 14:00-18:00; closed Tue

💡 The crypts have limited access — book a free guided tour at the tourist office or go early. The 'Salle capitulaire' often hosts free exhibitions.

Housed in a former 17th-century bishops' palace, this museum covers local history, decorative arts, and archaeology, including Gallo-Roman artifacts. The permanent collection is free on the first Sunday of each month (otherwise €5). Regular free guid

🕐 Wed-Mon 10:00-12:30, 14:00-18:00; closed Tue. Free on first Sun of month.

💡 The garden terrace has a fine view of the cathedral. Combine with a visit to the Abbey of Saint-Germain if you’re doing the first-Sunday free tour loop — both are within a 5-minute walk.

A woodland park on a hilltop with walking trails, a playground, a pond, and a belvedere offering wide views over the Yonne valley and the old town. It’s a calm spot for a picnic or a short hike, with benches and open grass. Entry is free year-round.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Head to the belvedere at sunset for a quiet view of the cathedral and the river. The park has a small car park if you’re driving, but it’s a 10-minute uphill walk from the centre.