We’ll never tire of scouring our maps of France in search of a new nugget just outside Lyon. This time, our finger came to rest on an evocative name that caught our full attention. Then, on closer inspection, we quickly realized that we’d spotted a big fish…
Semur-en-Auxois in Côte-d’Or, a small town with a big history
Burgundy is definitely on fire. After allowing us to discover the treasures of Vézelay, Fontenay Abbey and Châteauneuf-en-Auxois within a radius of less than 100 km, we thought the Burgundy surprise package couldn’t possibly delight any more. But that’s without taking into account the inexhaustible fertility of this land of rich heritage, where we discover new treasures every day.
The latest? Semur-en-Auxois, a city straight out of a Charles Perrault fairytale. An old town built on a rocky spur with a river flowing below, with its stone bridge, cobbled streets, magnificent church and impressive château! It’s hard to believe your eyes, so imposing is it, like one of those children’s drawings where proportion isn’t respected. The town has seen it all, from the depths of Antiquity to the heyday of the Middle Ages, and we’re still witnessing it today. The city is like a fan that you’re happy to pull out to discover its many treasures.
One of the largest unspoilt areas in France
And it’s easy to see why! With its 190 hectares of protected area, the little Burgundy town is well ahead of Bordeaux (147 hectares), Nantes (126), Strasbourg (78) and Lille (56). This huge protected area encompasses the historic center with its church and fortifications, as well as the Armançon river and the surrounding landscape with its eye-catching stubble fields. A visit to Semur-en-Auxois won’t take you an eternity, so if you do decide to go, we recommend coupling your excursion with another of the region’s nuggets.
In 2006, the name of the “safeguarded sectors” was changed to Site Patrimonial Remarquable. Needless to say, Semur-en-Auxois also holds this honor for all the qualities we’ve just mentioned.