Yonne

Auxerre is the capital of the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, set along the Yonne River about 150 kilometres southeast of Paris. Its medieval historic centre, river quays and surrounding vineyards give the city a distinctly Burgundian character, making it a natural gateway to the region.

The old town is built around the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, the Abbey of Saint-Germain with its Carolingian crypts and murals, and the 15th-century Tour de l'Horloge in the pedestrian centre. Half-timbered houses, narrow lanes and stone facades climb from the riverside toward these landmarks, while the marina and towpaths along the Yonne anchor the city's waterside life.

Key districts include the compact historic centre for sightseeing and dining, the Saint-Gervais plateau across the river, and outlying residential and commercial areas. Museums such as the Musée Saint-Germain present archaeology and regional history, and the nearby vineyards of Chablis and Irancy extend Auxerre's appeal well beyond the city itself.

Auxerre has a long association with football through AJ Auxerre and Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, and its economy mixes services, healthcare, logistics, agri-food and wine-related activity. Events, markets and riverside terraces give the centre a steady local rhythm throughout the year.

For leisure travellers, Auxerre offers a walkable medieval core, river scenery and easy access to Burgundy wine country. Business visitors find a regional administrative and commercial centre with good road links to Paris, Dijon and Lyon, making the city a practical and distinctive stop in northern Burgundy.