Tourist Attractions & Monuments en Bourgogne

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 Halles de Beaune are ideally located in the city. They are located opposite the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, in the heart of the city. Throughout the year, every Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 1pm, the people of Beaunne meet there to do their shopping. Wednesday is more specifically dedicated to food products. Here you can find everything: fruit, vegetables, meat, delicatessen, rotisserie, cheese, spices, etc. The organic sector and local producers are also well represented. Up to 180 merchants can take place! Ideal for finding local products. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants, nothing prevents you from taking a short break in the morning to have a coffee or finish your market with a lunch. From April to November on Saturdays, you can also visit the flea market on Place Carnot. Good times ahead!

You can admire a magnificent collection of sculptures and paintings of art in the lounge and rooms. In this large building located along the highway, you can enjoy real history lessons, especially if you have the opportunity to walk around with its owner. You will know almost everything about the great and small history of this 12th century castle with a tumultuous past and whose style continuously varied until the 17th and 18th centuries. You will notice both its magnificence and its decadence when visiting. The walls are still standing and impressive, but the interiors could not stand the attacks of time and still less, the covetousness of men. Only two andirons remained when the former owner, M. Aubry, bought the castle - thus saving some ruins - in 1983. Since then, research and restoration have made it part of its glorious past.

Longvic continues to stand out in the Dijon agglomeration landscape. Last January, José Almeida handed over to the new mayor, Céline Tonot, who is continuing the town's commitment to the environment: the town, which has been awarded the "ville-nature" label by the French government, has joined the club of "solarized towns", with the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings; and to culture, with a new edition of Festi'Longvic and the setting up of artists' residencies. The town continues to metamorphose under its projects: tree planting on the Étang Royal side, creation of a cycle path towards Dijon, street renovation, 100% LED street lighting..

This beautiful eighteenth century building is adjacent to the basilica. Bought by the Paray municipality in 1791 alongside the basilica, it has hosted the elementary schools of the city for a long time. The medieval cloister garden adjoining the basilica is admirable with a panel that makes us appreciate the richness of species with perfumed leaves. Of medieval inspiration, the shape of the garden represents a cross. Until the Revolution,the cloister hosted the Cluniac monks. The facade of the priory has the characteristics of classical art of the seventeenth and eighteenth century.A triangular pediment had weapons of Cluny, skylights, griffins and vintage cartridges. The interior produces tranquility. The large vaulted galleries edges offered to the monks a space for prayer, meditation and work.