Semur-en-Auxois is a medieval town in the heart of the Côte-d’Or department in eastern France. It is situated on a pink granite plateau, surrounded by the Armançon river. The town has a rich history and a remarkable architectural heritage, with many monuments dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Here are some of the main attractions and facts about Semur-en-Auxois:
The town was founded by the Gauls and later became a Roman settlement. It was fortified in the 10th century by the Counts of Auxois, who built a castle on the rocky outcrop. The castle was dismantled in the 17th century, but four impressive towers remain: the Tower of the Golden Ear, the Tower of the Prison, the Tower of the Gehenne, and the Tower Margot.
The Church of Notre-Dame is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in Burgundy. It was built in the 13th century and restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, a famous architect and historian. The church has a magnificent chevet with two levels of windows, a flamboyant portal with a carved tympanum depicting the legend of St. Thomas, and a remarkable collection of stained glass windows.
The town has several ancient gateways that mark the entrance to the old center, such as the Clock Gate, the Sauvigny Gate, and the Bèze Gate. The Clock Gate, built in the 15th century, has a belfry with a clock and a bell that rings every hour. The Sauvigny Gate, also from the 15th century, has a Gothic arch and a coat of arms of the town. The Bèze Gate, from the 13th century, has a Romanesque arch and a sculpture of a lion.
The town has a picturesque bridge over the Armançon river, called the Joly Bridge. It was built in the 18th century and offers a stunning view of the town and the river valley. The bridge has three arches and is decorated with stone balls and iron lanterns. Near the bridge, there is a 19th century washhouse, where women used to wash their clothes in the river.
The town has a rich cultural and artistic life, with several museums, galleries, and festivals. The Museum of Semur-en-Auxois displays archaeological, historical, and artistic collections, such as Roman coins, medieval sculptures, and paintings by local artists. The Museum of the Hospital of Notre-Dame shows the history and the architecture of the hospital, founded in the 17th century and still in operation today. The Museum of the Resistance and Deportation tells the story of the local resistance fighters and the victims of the Nazi occupation during World War II.
The town hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Medieval Festival in May, the Music Festival in June, the Fireworks Festival in July, and the Christmas Market in December. The town also has a theater, a cinema, and a library, as well as many shops, restaurants, and cafes.