Auxonne: Château, History and Saône

Auxonne offers several distinct areas of interest for planning a trip: the Château and its fortification history, the Église Notre-Dame, and the Saône with its cycling route and water sports. If you are looking for a hotel in Auxonne, you can start by considering which of these topics matter for your stay. The historic buildings tell of different periods; the Voie Bleue and seasonal water sports offer further pointers for planning.

Fortification history and buildings

In 1479, Louis XI ordered the construction of the Château d’Auxonne as one of three fortified castles. They were intended to monitor the Burgundians, who had recently been placed under the Duchy of Burgundy, and the border with the Holy Roman Empire. The Château thus has a clearly defined political and military context. Of the three castles built by Louis XI, it is the only one that has survived; the castles of Dijon and Beaune have been partly destroyed. This comparison places the Château of Auxonne within the broader history of the three fortifications.

Another historic building is the Arsenal of Auxonne, built by Vauban in 1689. The Église Notre-Dame is the city’s most important building and was constructed in stages from the 13th to the 16th century. These sites therefore offer different historical reference points: the order to build the Château in 1479, the church’s long construction history and the year the Arsenal was built. Visitors interested in architecture and local history will find more than one historic landmark in Auxonne.

Notre-Dame and views over Auxonne

The tower of the Église Notre-Dame is also a practical point to consider when planning a visit: visitors can climb 169 steps to the top. From there, the view stretches far across the surrounding area and takes in the architectural landmarks of the city and its surroundings. The climb connects the church with views of the historic landscape. Whether it is available depends on the tourist office’s current arrangements; check before your visit.

The Saône, the Voie Bleue and water sports

In Auxonne, the Saône provides a setting for boating and water sports. The Voie Bleue runs along the river as a signposted cycle route stretching 80 kilometres. Two sections are accessible from Auxonne. The Auxonne–Talmay section passes the fortifications and the marina of Auxonne. This makes it possible to include both the cycling route and two specific local landmarks in your trip plans. The 80 kilometres refer to the cycle route; for planning from Auxonne, the sections accessible there are also relevant. Check current route conditions before setting off.

Etoile Auxonnaise rents out windsurf boards, catamarans and Optimist dinghies for water sports. In summer, the provider also offers courses for children. The courses are seasonal, so if you are planning a particular activity, check current operating information. When planning, you can distinguish between the Saône’s boating and water sports, described without a seasonal restriction, and the courses, which are explicitly limited to summer.

Getting there by TER train

Auxonne is on the Franche-Comté TER rail line, which connects Dijon, Dole and Besançon. If you are planning to travel by train, check the current timetable before setting off. The connection to these cities is another factor to consider when choosing a destination, alongside the historic buildings, cycling route and seasonal activities.

Discover more destinations: Bussy-Le-Grand, Brianny, Grignon, Marsannay-La-Côte, Ménétreux-Le-Pitois, Corgengoux, Recey-sur-Ource, Créancey.

For the regional travel overview: Cote-Dor.