Monuments to visit Yonne

Not a postcard from here without seeing it enthroned, imperial and majestic, over the city. And for good reason... The emblematic monument of Auxerre, the Clock Tower has dominated the historic center for more than 500 years. It is impossible to pass by without admiring this superb monument decorated with its astronomical clock whose two hands indicate the solar and lunar movements. Built on the foundations of the Gallo-Roman city walls in the 12th century, it was used as a prison in the 14th century while continuing to serve as the city's clock. In 1825, a fire broke out during repair work on the spire and it collapsed. The tower was then partially rebuilt, at a lower cost. Its destruction was even considered. Fortunately, protected by its registration as a historical monument, it was finally rebuilt identically in 1890. Since then, in the heart of the pedestrian district, it marks with its superb architecture an admirably preserved city center. All the more so since its long and magnificent renovation completed in the summer of 2022. No doubt, the Clock Tower has never been so beautiful!

Note that you can still admire the bases of the ancient Gallo-Roman castrum in the tea room of the chocolate maker Gregory Ferret just next door. Finally, next to the tower, the covered passage used to be the house of the famous revolutionary bailiff Cadet Roussel, a great local figure of the 18th century. A commemorative plaque reminds us of this fact.

The current castle dates back to about 1560, and on one side, a three-storey façade overlooking the Armançon River retains its defensive appearance. On the other hand, a lawn and a porch on the first floor were added in the following centuries. Inside, the decor is contemporary with the great-great-grandparents of the current owner. To see: the chimneys in the lower rooms and on the main floor are impressive for their large coats. The wide flights of stairs, whose ramp comes from the Buffon forges, replaced a narrow central staircase at the end of the 17th century. The panelling added in the 18th century in the dining room, the octagonal room fitted out to receive Marshal Davout with dignity, or the billiard room (with its magnificent lion-headed pool table) are just a few examples of the many interior installations that have transformed, over the centuries, this bastion of religious wars into a pleasure residence. The objects date from the 16th century to 1910 and all come from the castle. Also interesting is the venerable room (with old crew clothing), an inner well, a bread oven and a room dedicated to Buffon, who stayed here several times.