Auxerre
Auxerre is the capital of the Yonne department and the fourth-largest city in Burgundy. Auxerre's population today is about 35,000; the metropolitan area comprises roughly 92,000 inhabitants. Residents of Auxerre are referred to as Auxerrois.
Auxerre is a commercial and industrial centre, with industries including food production, woodworking and batteries. It is also noted for its production of Burgundy wine, including world-famous Chablis. In 1995 Auxerre was named "Town of Art and History".
History
Auxerre was a flourishing Gallo-Roman centre, then called Autissiodorum, through which passed one of the main roads of the area, the Via Agrippa which crossed the Yonne here. In the third century it became the seat of a bishop and a provincial capital of the Roman Empire. In the 5th century it received a cathedral. In the late 11th-early 12th century the existing communities were included inside a new line of walls built by the feudal counts of Auxerre.Bourgeois activities accompanied the traditional land and wine cultivations starting from the twelfth century, and Auxerre developed into a commune with a Town Hall of its own. The Burgundian city, which became part of France under King Louis XI, suffered during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. In 1567 it was captured by the Huguenots, and many of the Catholic edifices were damaged. The medieval ramparts were demolished in the 18th century.
In the 19th century numerous heavy infrastructures were built, including a railway station, a psychiatric hospital and the courts, and new quarters were developed on the right bank of the Yonne.
Up until the early 20th century, Auxerre was one of the most prosperous cities in the departement. But the local authorities of that period refused the railway that was subsequently set in the then village of Migennes, and signed the economic decline of the town.
Climate
Main sights
- Cathedral of St. Étienne. In Gothic style, it is renowned for its three doorways with remarkable bas-reliefs. The stained-glass windows in the choir and the apsidal chapel are among the finest in France. The 11th-century crypt houses the remains of the former Romanesque cathedral.
- Abbey of Saint-Germain, existing from the 9th century. The crypt has some of the most ancient mural paintings in France, and houses the tomb of the bishops of Auxerre. Also interesting are the chapter room, the cellar and the cloister.
- The Clock Tower, in the Old Town
- The church of St. Pierre en Vallée, established over a 6th-century abbey. In late Gothic style, it has a tower similar to that of the cathedral. Portions of the decorations and inner chapels were financed by local winegrowers.
- Church of St. Eusèbe, founded in the 7th century. The nave was rebuilt in the 13th century, while the tower is in Romanesque style.
Notable people
- William of Auxerre, early High Scholastic theologian from Auxerre
- Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier,, born in Auxerre, mathematician, experimental physicist, and politician
- Paul Bert, born in Auxerre, physiologist and politician
- Théodore Frédéric Gaillardet,, born in Auxerre, journalist, publisher of French-language newspaper Courrier des Etats-Unis in New York City, mayor of Plessis-Bouchard, France
- Eugène Hatin, historian and bibliographer
- Saint Helladius, bishop of Auxerre
- Paul Monceaux, born in Auxerre, historian
- Benoît Mourlon, footballer
- Jean Paul Rappeneau, born in Auxerre, film director.
- Guy Roux, coach of AJ Auxerre for more than 40 years, holding the French record of 894 games in Ligue 1
Specialties
- Gougère – baked choux pastry made of dough mixed with cheese.
- Kir – a traditional aperitif mixed drink from Burgundy wine and blackcurrant liqueur.
- Boeuf bourguignon – a typical main dish made of beef and vegetables.
- Truffe bourguignonne – truffles from Burgundy.
Famous regional wines
- Chablis wine: One of the best white wines in the country, made exclusively of Chardonnay in the Chablis AOC
- Saint-Bris AOC: The one and only white wine in Burgundy made of Sauvignon grapes, especially Sauvignon blanc and Sauvignon gris
- Irancy: Perhaps the best red wine from the surrounding area - light and flavourful, made of Pinot noir
- Bourgogne côte d'Auxerre: Belongs to the Burgundy AOC, it is a light and fruity wine made of Chardonnay for the white wine and Pinot noir for the red.
- Crémant de Bourgogne: Sparkling wine following the tradition of Champagne, Crémant de Bourgogne has a strong production in and around Auxerre.
- Bourgogne Aligoté: Dry wine. Aligoté is the second most popular grape variety grown in Burgundy after Chardonnay.
International relations
Twin towns and sister cities
Auxerre is twinned with:
|
